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Israel: The Founding of
a Modern Nation

by Maida Silverman, published by
Dial Books for Young Readers.

Reviewed by Emily Foxen-Craft

This book is basically a brief summa-
` ry about Eretz Yisrael-Zion, from bibli-
cal times through 1948, when Israel
I got its independence. It tells about
how Israel, or rather then Palestine,
got handed over and captured by
many different countries. It alsois
about the sufferings Zion went
through, immigration, developments

r

1

Time Like A River'

by Randy Perrin, with Hannah and
Tova Perrin. Published by RDR
Books/Orca.

Reviewed by Dini Cohen

Time Like A River is about a young
girl named Margie Belzer whose
mother has just recovered from a life-
threatening illness. To share the unbe-
lievable events that helped bring
about her mother's recovery, Margie
decides to write a book. Her book is
about her enchanting; fascinating
journey through time to save her
mother's life.
The strange events begin on the
night of her 13th birthday ... Margie
and her parents go to Mar-Jee's Fine
Mandarin Cuisine in honor of
Margie's bat mitzvah. During the
meal, Margie notices a little girl
watching her. This girl is the begin-
ning and the ending point of
Margie's strange voyage through

rent and get back in someplace else.
Maybe we can."
The authors, Randy Perrin and his
daughters Hannah and Tova, wrote a
book so amazing I shared it with my
entire family. Everyone who read it
became as emotionally involved with
Margie and her problems as I did. I
think this book is appropriate for pre-
and young teens, although readers of
any age will enjoy it.

Dini Cohen
attends the Sally
Allan Alexander
Bois Yaakov School
for Girls, where she
is about to enter
sixth-grade. The
youngest of eight
children, she lives in Oak Park and
enjoys reading, writing and playing
with friends.

and more.
I think this book is good for
many different ages of people —
especially those ages 8 and up. I
enjoyed reading it. I think people
should read this, especially Jews,
so they can know about what has
happened to this special nation. I
The Legend of the
especially liked chapter 13,
where the author explains how
Sleeping Bear
time.
Israel was voted a country. When
by Kathy-jo Wargin, with illustrations
At the restaurant, Margie's mother
I, read it, I got all tense. I knew
by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. Pub-
begins to feel ill. She has no strength
what was going to happen, but
lished by Sleeping Bear Press.
and her body is shutting down. Her
the way Maida Silverman
Reviewed by Elizabeth Applebaum,
I doctors are baffled because they
described it was truly amazing.
AppleTree Editor
can't find the source of the disease.
For those who don't get scared
1 During the time Mrs. Belzer is in the
from reading scary stories before
Some children's books are written for
! hospital, Margie stays with her best
going to bed (some parts are
children, and some are written for
friend, Isabel. While the girls are
scary) — read this book then,
parents. This is one of the latter, and
doing research for a school history
because. it gives you some pretty
it's absolutely charming.
report, Margie stumbles on her pas-
good things to dream about.
This is a Michigan tale, the story of
The cover should be more of what : sageway through
a bear and her chil-
time.
this book is about. No offense to
dren who escape fire
To really enjoy this
Susan Avishai, the illustrator, but
by running into the
book you have to be
when I saw the cover I thought the
lake, where the cubs
able to suspend reality
story would be about one family.
battle for as long as
and believe that
Since Maida Silverman has written
they can. When at last
miraculous things can
this book so interestingly, if she has
the mother bear lands
occur.
The book is fan-
written any other books I would -like
on the shore she real-
tasy, but the way the
to read them. I think everybody who
izes that she is alone.
authors tell the story
is interested should read this book. I
In her despair, she
makes it seem like it
gazes out at the water
really enjoyed it.
could really happen.
kItist Waz
and calls, "My chil-
tre GijeArat
Emily
The title comes from
dren, are you coming?
Foxen-Craft
a conversation in the
I You are strong, and you are clever!
of West Bloom-
past between Margie and Lee Yang,
My children, can you hear me? I will
field is a student
"I think maybe time (is) like a river.
at Akiva Hebrew
wait for you forever."
We are carried by (the) current.
Day School. She
The Legend of the Sleeping Bear is
enjoys reading
Maybe we can climb out of (the) cur-
based
on a tale believed to have
fiction.

lid

originated with the Ojibwe Indians of
Michigan, who created the story to
explain the Sleeping Bear Dune (on
the coast of northwest Michigan).
This book would make a wonderful
gift for any parent, who is certain to
be moved to tears as the book
comes to its poignant conclusion.

The Bravest Fireman

by Leah Zytman, with illustrations by
Leah Malka Diskind. Published by
HaChai.

Reviewed by
Elizabeth
Applebaum,
AppleTree
Editor

This is a per-
fect story for a
little Jewish boy
who dreams of
growing up and becoming a fire-
man.
As the tale begins, Ari watches as
a fire engulfs a nearby home. He
prays, "Please, don't let anyone get
hurt." This incident catapults him into
an imaginary journey into the future,
when he becomes "the strongest and
bravest fireman in my company." He
saves the day, understands the mitz-
; vah of helping others, and always
gives credit to God.
Finding a really good Jewish chil-
i dren's book is more difficult than it
sounds. Mistakes are rampant in
some, while others are so boring that
a mere one page is stronger than a
couple of No-Doze. The Bravest Fire-
man is a delightful exception. Suit-
: able for children 3-7.

❑

Would you like to be a guest
reviewer for The AppleTree? We
welcome "resumes" from children
aged 6-14, who should tell us a
little about themselves (age, hob-
bies, school) and what they like to
read. Please send information to:
Make Me A Reviewer! c/o The
AppleTree, 27676 Franklin Road,
Southfield, MI 48034.

8/21
1998

Detroit Jewish News

77