Passover

February 1, 2016

Gr 5-8-A unique, eclectic Passover book. The first section ("What's Passover All About?") offers a comprehensive explanation of the history, customs, symbols, and practices of the holiday that is accessible to newcomers and will also enlighten those who already have some background. Polak then retells the personal stories of two Holocaust survivors ("Passover Before and After the Holocaust"), examining their memories of the ritual as children before the war, during the war, and once they emigrated to Canada. The third section ("Passover in Action") focuses on the tradition of feeding the hungry. Polak provides an overly detailed account of various endeavors sponsored by Jewish organizations in Canada that may lose the attention of general readers. The final part ("Passover Around the World") briefly describes how the holiday is observed in countries such as Israel, the Netherlands, China, and Nepal. Attractive, contemporary, full-color photographs are generously sprinkled throughout, but the pictures don't always match the text. Text boxes, quotes, and sidebars are effective and informative. VERDICT A useful purchase for libraries looking to enhance their Passover offerings.-Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2015
An overview of the holiday of Passover is elaborated with personal narratives, the story's connection to the Holocaust, and various Seder customs practiced in several countries around the world. A Canadian author and child of Holocaust survivors, Polak introduces the topic through her own personal account of a secular Jewish upbringing in Montreal. She focuses on how her research on and interest in the Holocaust brought her full circle to hosting her first Seder. The first chapter is devoted to the traditional Haggada, the book used to recount the ancient story, which includes the various rituals performed at the ceremonial meal. She introduces Ben, a Lithuanian survivor, and his version of his family's Passover observance before World War II. From here Polak clearly connects the biblical story of oppression, escape, and freedom to the Holocaust while segueing into modern-day observance and traditions. Two concluding chapters outline the Jewish community's charitable commitment to providing food baskets and support for the needy as well as the diversity of multicultural traditions for the holiday as celebrated in not only Israel, but in some Asian, European, and African countries. A plethora of photographs, informational sidebars, drawings, and recipes break up the substantial yet enlightening text. Good supplementary material to increase the holiday's meaning and currency for older children. (glossary, index, references) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

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November 15, 2015
Grades 4-7 While this title in the Orca Origins series explains the holiday of Passover, it also goes further. In the introduction, Polak remembers her associations with the holiday while growing up in Montreal, mostly through friends' seders. Her own family was not observant, and Polak believes this was in part because her Dutch mother was a Holocaust survivor. (In doing research, the author interviewed several other survivors, and their stories make up a good portion of the book.) In the first several chapters, Polak explains the holiday's origins, how it is celebrated, and what the various rituals mean. There is also information about how Passover is celebrated around the world. The book is quite Canada-centric, with several pages devoted to ways various Montreal schools observe. The sections in which the Holocaust survivors remember is both chilling and moving. This could have had better organization, but kids' holiday rituals and personal stories make for an interesting mix. Illustrated with many color photos, this unique take on an ancient holiday should resonate with readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)