Review: Max and Emma Discover the Meaning of Manna

Max and Emma Discover the Meaning of Manna

by Carl Harris Shuman, illustrated by Leo Trinidad

Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025

Category: Middle Grade

Reviewer: Merle Carrus

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

 
Max and Emma are back for another adventure. Traveling back in time, they visit historical characters who help them understand a Jewish holiday or concept.

It is the holiday of Sukkot, and the Rabbi is teaching Max and Emma’s class about the lulav and etrog. They discuss the Israelites traveling in the desert. The Rabbi explains that there were not actual huts but protective clouds that hovered over and around the Israelites as they traveled across the desert. That is why today we recreate that effect by erecting a Sukkah in our yards.

As the children imagine the Israelites traveling they wonder what they ate along the way. The Rabbi explains about the manna falling each day. Emma wonders what manna was and what it tasted like.

Emma, Max and their friend Eitan travel back in their time machine just like they did in Max and Emma Cross the Red Sea and Max and Emma and the Not So-Perfect Apology. This time they meet Miriam and Betzalel, the artist. They follow the Israelites as Miriam leads them to a well. They are there when, early in the morning, manna falls from heaven. Miriam shows her appreciation playing music on her timbrel and Betzalel shows his gratitude with his paintbrush.

When the kids return from their adventure, Emma is inspired to show her appreciation for Sukkot by decorating her family Sukkah. Where she was apprehensive before to be creative, Betzalel has helped build her confidence and Emma is excited to welcome everyone into her family Sukkah.

The illustrations are brightly colorful and creatively compliment the storyline. The characters are painted with a rich saturated palette in period style.

This is a fun story that explains in great detail the holiday of Sukkot with all its rituals. Sukkot is an integral part of the story and is represented in an authentic and easy to understand style. There are also important themes in the story of recognizing and embracing your talents and feeling good about yourself, by building self confidence.

 

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Reviewer Merle Eisman Carrus resides in New Hampshire and writes book reviews for the NH Jewish Reporter newspaper. and other publications. She is a graduate of Emerson College and received her Masters of Jewish Studies from Hebrew College. She leads books discussion groups and author interviews. She blogs her book reviews at biteofthebookworm.blogspot.com