Stars: ****
This is a novel for ages 8-12, mostly for girls. It’s the story of the daughters of Rabbi Levin after they move to Lorain, Ohio in 1923.
There are good things and bad things that happen, just like in real life. This is a good book for non-Jewish kids to learn what it’s like to be Jewish. Many aspects of Judaism are explained. How the Shabbos is celebrated (like the Christian Sabbath), what Rosh Hashanah is all about, the special preparations for Passover and how the Jewish wedding works.
It also shows a bit of how life was different in the 20’s. Mama is a very superstitious person which I believe was very common in the 20’s. She forbids the family to talk of her pregnancy so as not to attract the evil eye. She doesn’t like people admiring her children for the same reason.
It is a very good book about Jewish life in the 20’s for pre-teens.
About Kathleen
