(3) YA Illustrated by Zevi Blum. Abraham and Adam, clever twin brothers from Chelm, the town of fools, are the center of this story that begins with their birth and ends with a wedding. The narrative is split into forty-two short chapters threaded with mischief, grief, foolishness, and love. The delicate chapter-opener spot art and occasional larger illustrations are at once sophisticated and playful.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) 4-6 Finkelstein describes the Jewish experience in America during the twentieth century, placing specific emphasis on the social issues and cultural arenas that propelled a largely uneducated immigrant group forward. Detailed captions for the extensive black-and-white photos augment the well-written text. Chapter source notes and a timeline are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Joani Keller Rothenberg. This Cain and Abel story strives for impartiality, mitigating Cain's act yet grieving Abel's death, and concludes somewhat simplistically that "when each person learns to reach out an open hand without the rock, without the sword, without the gun, the entire world can be saved." Vivid, rich illustrations with high-voltage rainbow hues envision a fruitful prelapsarian land as described in a thematic Midrash passage.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Iofin. Despite the narrow margins and the illustrations that tightly hug the gutter, this collection of fifteen stories is a well-documented contribution to the storyteller's repertoire. Hansel and Gretel appear as Rachel and Reuben in a story about bravery and pride, and children will likely recognize "The Fisherman and His Wife" in "The Fisherman and the Silver Fish," a story about Moses.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1999

(3) YA In 1492, the year of the Spanish Inquisition, Isabel turns thirteen and learns she is in fact Ruth, a Jew whose family has never truly renounced the faith of their fathers. After a series of harrowing incidents that leaves her bereft of her parents, Ruth and her brother find safe passage to a new life in Istanbul. The novel, informative and interesting throughout, moves steadily forward and features fine characterizations.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 This tenth anniversary edition has a new introduction and illustrations by the author. The book is divided into four parts, each containing four short sermons about the major topics of "Seeing," "Hearing," "Doing," and "Person." The preaching is leavened with an occasional story from rabbinical literature. Jewish religious schools may find the book useful as a departure point for discussions.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Melanie Hall. In a retelling of the story from Genesis, God creates humans "in Our likeness," and each animal shares a characteristic with the new humans, such as gracefulness from swans and curiosity from chimpanzees. Thus "nature [lives] in humankind." Hall's scratchboard and watercolor illustrations lend accessibility to Swartz's formal language, which echoes that of the Bible while bringing a modern sensibility to the story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth