(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Genevieve Kote. When eight-year-old Rachel crosses the street by herself to rescue her cat, she breaks one of her dad’s rules. Her punishment is to miss her favorite gymnast’s show. In protest, Rachel breaks the rules at Shabbat services; afterwards, the rabbi helps Rachel (and her dad) learn that challenging and questioning rules is a very Jewish endeavor. This breezy first entry in a chapter-book series introduces an enthusiastic, funny, and proudly Jewish protagonist; interspersed black-and-white drawings add to the humor.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns