A Place for Elijah

December 7, 2015
Ruben (The Outlandish Adventures of Liberty Aimes) introduces a host of Passover traditions, including leaving an empty seat for the prophet Elijah, through one family’s ever-growing celebration. Sarah and her family are settling in for a chilly first night of Passover when a power outage brings a stream of neighbors to their door. The setting isn’t precisely specified, but details of the neighborhood and the characters’ clothing suggests an American city sometime during the first half of the 20th century. With each new guest, be it Mrs. Faaiz the florist or Ben at the bagel shop, Sarah grows increasingly nervous that there won’t be enough room for Elijah; the arrival of the final guest, a young African-American newsie whose name is revealed to be Elijah, suggests that honoring the spirit of a tradition is just as valuable as following it to the letter. Friar’s (O Christmas Tree) finely detailed illustrations turn Sarah’s family’s Passover meal into an inclusive, multiethnic affair, while Ruben’s straightforward narration makes the holiday’s customs and practices clear and accessible. Ages 5–9. Illustrator’s agent: Christina A. Tugeau, Christina A. Tugeau Artist Agency.

July 1, 2016

Gr 1-3-Sarah sets an extra place at the Passover table for Elijah; according to legend, this prophet invisibly visits every seder. When the power goes out across the street, neighbors start arriving and Sarah keeps adding chairs to the table, always making sure there is an empty seat for Elijah. Finally, the last chair in the house is pressed into service for "the boy who sells magazines and chews bubble gum," who turns out to be named Elijah. While the concept of the story is entertaining, there are a number of anomalies in the way the family observes the holiday. "Every year at Passover, Sarah sets a place and leaves the door ajar so Elijah the Prophet can come in and visit the seder." The normal practice is to open the door briefly near the end of the seder, not to leave the door open the entire time. In describing the afikomen, the text says, "The youngest child will find the hidden piece of matzah and get a prize." This is not a job for the youngest alone-all children present may seek the afikomen. The youngest child's special honor is to recite the four questions. Another oddity is that the order of events has been disrupted: the meal is begun (with soup and gefilte fish) before the recitation of the 10 plagues, half a dozen steps early according to the Haggadah, the book that guides the actions of the seder. This strangeness extends to the illustrations as well. A broader issue is that there is very little explanation of the significance of Elijah's presence at the seder. The endnote says, "According to legend, Elijah arrives on the first night of Passover to announce the coming of the Messiah," but the story itself never makes that clear. VERDICT With so many incorrect details in its portrayal of Passover traditions and rituals, this is not recommended.-Heidi Rabinowitz, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2016
Everyone is welcome at the Seder table, but will there be a seat for the Prophet Elijah? Sarah and her family joyously prepare for Passover's first Seder. They set the table with an extra place and seat for Elijah, and the door is left open so he can come in. They begin the Seder with a special prayer for their neighbors across the street, whose shops and apartments are without power on this unseasonably cold and rainy night. Music Man Miguel, Doughnut Dan, Bagel Ben, Mrs. Faaiz the florist, and the young boy who sells magazines are all in the dark. One by one these neighbors are drawn to the light and warmth of Sarah's home. As each one is welcomed and provided with a seat at the table and with wonderful, savory food, Sarah sets another place for Elijah. The final visitor is the young boy who is given the only remaining chair. Sarah is really worried until she asks the boy his name. "You never know how Elijah comes, only that he does." Ruben seamlessly weaves information about Passover and its traditions into a tale of a loving family with open hearts that fully embrace the spirit of this ancient holiday. Though a bit stiff, Friar's carefully detailed illustrations, set in blues and yellows, beautifully complement the events. A sweet Pesach indeed. (afterword) (Picture book. 5-9)

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