RevieWs Sing Time Faraway Summer (Alef Design Group), by Bruce Siegel, with illustrations by Joshua Siegel I Reviewed by Dini Cohen (Morrow Junior Books) I by Johanna Hurwitz Reviewed by Starr Friedman Faraway Sum- This book is mer is the journal about a man of Hadassah whose son's "Dossi" Rabi- upcoming bar nowitz, who is mitzvah reminds vacationing in him of the time Vermont courtesy he accompa- of the Fresh Air nied his brother Society, an orga- Gerald, or nization that sends poor children in "Jerry the Jerk," to meet the rabbi New York out west for two weeks. before Jerry's bar mitzvah. I thought that the plot was interest- He was restless, so began ! ing, spiced up with well-developed exploring the synagogue. While I characters. You can sense Dossi's wandering he met the cantor, Eli bie came and put her arms around Matzo Ball Moon I excitement and amazement when Eleanor and asked if she had seen Jacobs. From Eli he learns about (Clarion Books) I she first milks a cow, and almost Elijah. Eleanor said she didn't but Judaism and what "sing time" I see her seething with anger when by Leslea Newman, pointed to the moon. She told her means. 1 she finds out that Emma left Dossi's illustrations by Elaine Greenstein bubble, "There's the matzah-ball From the book one can learn library book out in the rain. Reviewed by Natalie Rose Lichtman I moon, Bubble, and it's just for you." I things he or she never thought of. I would recommend this book to Eleanor and her bubble joked I think that the author was trying to I like this book. This is a very spe- 1 anyone who is a girl, Jewish or not, express the meaning of "sing time" about how delicious the moon i cial book about a girl named I between the ages of 8 and 12. not as a time to sing, but as the looked. "Let's go get our spoons," Eleanor and her bubbie. Eleanor's Although I found it a quick, easy Bubble said. But instead of going idea that song is time. bubble makes matzah-ball soup I read, the book was nicely written back to the table, Eleanor and her Bruce Siegel is a really good I and I enjoyed it, partly because it 1 every Passover. This year, Eleanor bubble stood together, gazing at writer and he expresses ideas of helped her by making the soup. was in journal form and partly the moon with wonder at the big Judaism, music and tefillah Bubble made an extra-special because it gave a glimpse of what bumpy, lumpy, yummy looking (prayer) with so much feeling. matzah ball for Eleanor. it might have been like to be a I The illustrator drew his pictures in matzah-ball moon. When Eleanor's brother Joshua poor girl living during the year I love this book because Eleanor a Style which pulls the reader came home from school, he smelled 1910. and her bubble remind me of me into the picture. I think the good soup. When Joshua saw book is appropriate for ages 8- and my nanny. Her name is Molly Eleanor's special matzah ball, he Starr Friedman is a fifth-grader Furst. My nanny makes matzah-ball 12. at West Maple Elementary in West I wanted her to share but Eleanor This is one of the best books I soup that tastes better than any said, "No. Bubble said this is an Bloomfield. She especially loves have ever read. The author sent L, matzah-ball soup in the whole uni- extra-special one just for me!" Then reading fiction. One of her favorite me such an emotional message t verse. Whenever I have matzah-ball their mom and dad came in. They books is The Wizard of Oz. that I read and reread the book a soup at restaurants and seders, I ! said, "Happy Passover!" Right number of times. I really, really always say I like Nanny's so much before the seder, everyone snuck a enjoyed the book and I think oth- more! maztah ball — even Joshua. After Would you like to be a review- ers will enjoy it, too. the seder, it was time to open the er for The AppleTree? Children Natalie Rose Lichtman, 7, is door for Elijah, the prophet who aged 6-14 should send us a let- in the first grade at Highmeadow Dini Cohen, 10, is in the fifth will one day come and bring ter telling a little about them- grade at the Sally Allen Alexandc-i\/ 1 Common Campus in Farmington peace to the world. When Eleanor selves (age, what kinds of Bais Yaakov School for Girls in 1 Hills. She lives with "my mom and saw the moon, she thought, "The books they like to read, hob- Oak Park. She enjoys being with 1 dad and my dog, Casey, and two moon is so big and bumpy and bies). Mail to: Make Me A friends, writing and reading 1 fish.' Her favorite activities are lumpy and yummy looking! It looks Reviewer! c/o AppleTree, books, especially mysteries 1 reading and swimming on the team just like a matzah ball." She called 27676 Franklin Road, South- and those focusing on the Holo- 1 at the Woodbrooke Hills Swim her bubble to come and see. Bub- field, Ml 48034. caust. Club. I I 1 5/15 1998 80