The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

A Warning About Swans by R.M. Romero Peachtree Teen (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2023 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Heather J. Matthews Buy at Bookshop.org Set in Bavaria in 1880, this is the story of Hilde and her five sisters. Norse god Odin, their father and creator, has gifted each of the six sisters with the ability to bring dreams to life. Beyond this gift, Odin gives each sister a cloak which grants them a unique skill, in addition to allowing the girls to take the shape of a swan when wearing the cloak. Hilde’s unique gift is the ability to comfort and usher newly-deceased souls into the afterlife. Six years after gaining her talent, Hilde has struggled under the weight of her task and seeks to experience the human world in her human shape, away from constant death and suffering. Meeting a young man named Baron Maximillian von Richter, Hilde finds an opportunity to put aside her responsibilities and live amongst the humans in her human form. Hilde spends the next few mo

The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder Walden Pond Press (imprint of HarperCollins Publishers), 2023 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Judy Greenblatt   Buy at Bookshop.org   Zipporah Chava McConnell, better known as Zippy, age 12, is a witch – or at least she has magical powers. It’s obvious, from the long dark hair streaming down her back to her all-black clothing. However, no one else believes that she has powers, contributing to her sense of isolation in the midst of the changes that being 12 and beginning middle school bring. For instance, Zippy and her friend forever Bea are no longer in sync, and Zippy’s mother surprises her with plans for a bat mitzvah, unexpected because of the unorthodox Judaism practiced by her family. Completely confused and miserable, Zippy turns to the element that sets this book apart: magic. Zippy calls forth a spirit, a girl who could be her reverse image, who becomes her best friend. The book is narrated by Zippy, who tries to get the amazing events of

Two New Years by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield Chronicle Books, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Ann D. Koffsky Buy at Bookshop.org In Two New Years , a family that is both Chinese and Jewish celebrates Rosh Hashanah in the Fall and the Lunar Year in the Spring. Both holidays are shown as parallel in their meanings and symbolism, and each spread displays Jewish customs alongside the Chinese ones. The rich backmatter gives a full and complete description of each of the practices from both traditions. I was particularly struck by how effectively Ho finds universal meaning and values across the two holidays. For example, the text shares how, “We prepare foods that symbolize togetherness and the heartfelt sharing of good wishes.” The illustrations accompanying the words show the traditional Jewish Rosh Hashanah foods on one side, like apples and honey, and a Chinese traditional sectioned platter, with nuts and fruits on the other. Beautiful! The illustrations are exuberan

Out and About: A Tale of Giving by Liza Wiemer, illustrated by Margeaux Lucas Kalaniot Books, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Shirley Reva Vernick Buy at Bookshop.org Daniel is bursting with curiosity when he sees his parents walking out of the house in the early morning hours, carrying boxes. When he asks his mother and older siblings where the parents have been, the only answer he gets is “out and about.” His imagination runs wild as he guesses what toys or treats the boxes might contain. Finally, Daniel figures out that his parents are secretly bringing boxes of needed items to the Cohens, neighbors who are going through hard financial times. Daniel joins in the tzedakah activities by bringing a box of gently used toys and clothing to the Cohen children’s door. This inspiring story elegantly illustrates the mitzvah of tzedakah. It also demonstrates the value of giving anonymously: namely, that it spares the Cohens from feeling embarrassed about needing assistance. The warm an

A Book About Bupkes by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Roxana de Rond Kar-Ben Publishing, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rebecca Klempner Buy at Bookshop.org Leslie Kimmelman begins A Book About Bupkes with a brief explanation of the Yiddish word "bupkes." However, rather than delving into the usually negative connotation of this term (meaning "nothing"), she begs us to ask the question, "Where did everything go?" Sometimes, a place or a container is empty because their contents were relocated to a place where they can serve an important purpose. A bowl of chicken soup, for example, empties as its contents fill the belly of a patient. In addition to this heart-warming message, Kimmelman's joyful tone and delightful diction won me over. There are a couple of pages that are so well-written, I just sat with them a moment to enjoy the language. Roxana de Rond's playful art charmed me and suited the goofy tone of the book. I appreciated that t

Just a Hat by S. Khubiar Blackstone Publishing, 2023 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Cheryl Fox Strausberg Buy at Bookshop.org As a thirteen year old kid growing up in the late 1970s in rural Texas, Joseph Nissan lives two lives. At school, he’s Joseph. He speaks English, he’s a math whiz, he just wants to fit in - not only to stop the persistent bullying from his white classmates but to be able to approach his first crush. At home, he’s Youssef. He speaks Farsi, he often translates for his Iranian immigrant mother who struggles with English, and he studies for his Bar Mitzvah. There’s a lot he doesn’t understand though, like why his parents are terrified of the police or why they never talk about their life in Iran. He follows their seemingly strict religious observance but wonders why he can’t play the piano on Shabbat, why he can only eat the food his mother cooks, and he wonders why, if community and religion is so important, they don’t live closer to the Iranian-Jewish community i

Sheep Says Shalom written & illustrated by Ann Diament Koffsky Green Bean Books, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Claire Freeland Buy at Bookshop.org Set on a farm, this sweet board book introduces young listeners to three meanings of the Hebrew word, "shalom": hello, goodbye, and peace. A sheep greets each farm animal in the morning with a friendly "shalom" and receives the appropriate animal sound coupled with "shalom" in response. At the end of the day, each animal initiates a "shalom" and sheep responds in kind. Finally, sheep demonstrates a third meaning, peace, with a restful sleep. Children will enjoy hearing the familiar animal sounds now coupled with perhaps something new, the word "shalom," used in context. The bright, inviting illustrations are sure to delight the littles. The fold-out format is perfect for tummy time. The Jewish representation consists of using the Hebrew word, "shalom," in different w