(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Despite wintry weather, Sadie searches for a way to plant a tree on Tu B'Shevat, the "birthday of the trees." The problem is a relatable one for many Jewish readers not in warm-climate Israel (where the holiday was created), but the solutions from family members come a bit too easily. Sometimes-blurry illustrations effectively vary colors to distinguish between the present and Grandma's memories.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) PS Photographs by Jeff Finkelstein. A young girl and her observant Jewish family welcome the girl's new baby brother with a bris. Flip the book over, and the same girl and her family welcome a new baby sister with a brit bat. There's an unevenness in tone: the boy's text is slightly more positive and conveys a greater excitement. The warm photographs provide a good sense of both ceremonies.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Sadie's grandmother knits a baby blanket that becomes part of Sadie and Grandma's--and eventually little brother Ori's--adventures and Jewish holiday traditions. When Grandma begins to "remember less and less," Sadie and Ori use the "together blanket" to take care of her. In the sixth book about this observant family, the loving intergenerational relationship comes across warmly in both text and illustrations.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Siblings Sadie and Ori can't find any information about the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer; finally, with help from Grandpa, they learn the story behind the holiday and have a picnic to celebrate it. The book exists as a lesson only, but at least it's a cheerful one; brightly colored, slightly hazy illustrations complement the "mystery." An explanatory note is appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jeff Finkelstein. The narrator describes what it's like to have a Passover seder in a desert setting "just like the Israelites." The plain text and accompanying photographs serve as an advertisement for the author's Adventure Rabbi program (with information about it included at the end); however, the photos of the many people participating, particularly the kids, make it look like a good time.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Sadie loves her Jewish summer camp and is excited that her little brother is now old enough to go. But Ori is nervous about being the only one who sleeps with a stuffed animal. The sweet story includes themes of identity, sibling love, growing up, and wanting to fit in. The illustrations are warm and inviting and include images from Ori's imagination.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Sadie has made her own menorah at school. She's thrilled to take home her pink and blue creation, but she trips, shattering the menorah into "a million, zillion pieces." Luckily, the shammash remains intact--a Hanukkah miracle!--and a new tradition begins. Illustrations capture both the bustling and the quiet times of Sadie's classroom; light-infused pictures of the family at home radiate warmth.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2013

(4) PS Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. To celebrate Shavuot, Sadie's class will go on a hike. But Sadie worries that she won't be able to "climb a mountain as big as the one Moses climbed." Unsurprisingly, the rabbi allays Sadie's fears, and she enjoys the day. The formulaic story lacks substance, though the pleasant illustrations suitably convey Sadie's anxiety. A brief explanation of the holiday is included.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Fortenberry. Excited for Sukkot, siblings Sadie and Ori wake up early and bring breakfast out to their sukkah. After some (very minor) mishaps, breakfast is ready, and a few stuffed-animal friends help share the special meal. The somewhat dull story is buoyed by peaceful, slightly blurred illustrations. An explanatory note about Sukkot is appended.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith