New Year at the Pier

Starred review from June 8, 2009
As part of their Jewish New Year observance, Izzy's congregation, like many others, holds a Tashlich ceremony, in which sins are symbolically cast away by throwing pieces of bread into a body of water. But first, Izzy must make an “I'm sorry” list and seek forgiveness from those he's wronged. It isn't an easy or comfortable process: the list is longer than he anticipated, involves some property damage and requires him to apologize to his best friend for blabbing about a thumb-sucking habit. But because Tashlich is a collective expression of remorse (Mom asks forgiveness for “always being on the phone”) and one that celebrates possibility rather than blame (“a new year, a clean heart,” says the rabbi), Izzy leaves the pier feeling buoyed in both his faith and his sense of self. Wayland (Girl Coming in for a Landing
) and Jorisch (Granddad's Fishing Buddy
) are perfectly paired: the empathetic, low-key prose makes important points about personal responsibility without pummeling readers, while the stylish, keenly observed watercolors convey both Izzy's sheepish chagrin and the joys of communal tradition. Ages 5–8.

July 1, 2009
K-Gr 3-Izzy and his family get ready for the Jewish New Year ceremony of "Tashlich", when people toss pieces of bread into a body of water to represent throwing away their misdeeds. Izzy, Miriam, their mom, and their community make a sincere effort to reflect on their own behavior, to apologize to those they have wronged, and to offer forgiveness to those who have wronged them. The setting is based on the annual tradition at Manhattan Beach, CA. Poetic text and flowing autumnal illustrations support the contemplative nature of the tale. Emotions ring true: Izzy nervously puts off difficult apologies, but experiences a clean, wide-open heart once he has spoken up. At the same time, the characters are real and human: despite their efforts to be good, Izzy and Miriam quarrel, as siblings will. A short authors note provides background about the holiday, but the story will be best appreciated by children already familiar with these traditions. However, the universality of emotion and the quality presentation make this book a good choice for multicultural New Year celebrations."Heidi Estrin, Feldman Childrens Library at Congregation Bnai Israel, Boca Raton, FL"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2009
Preschool-G The author of the young-adult verse novel Girl Coming in for a Landing (2002) offers here a story for younger children introducing Tashlich, a Jewish New Year tradition in which adults and children are encouraged to make amends for past mistakes and to cast away their misdeeds by tossing stale bread into the water. Young Izzy is too young to write an Im sorry list, so he draws one instead. He apologizes to his mother, sister, and best friend. Then the entire congregation walk onto the pier where they sing songs, blow the shofar (rams horn), and throw bread into the sea. Jorischs pencil-and-watercolor illustrations capture the upbeat mood associated with this ceremony and the emotional rewards that come from starting anew. Izzy and his family are both believable and contemporary, making this an ideal choice for family read-alouds as well as a useful addition to religious collections and public libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)