Avram's Gift [Hardcover]

Margie Blumberg (Author), Laurie McGaw (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003

Mark thinks that his new home is perfect in every way — except one: Leaning against the wall in the hallway outside his bedroom is a picture of a man with a long, gray, scratchy-looking beard and dark, mysterious eyes. It’s a picture of his great-great-grandfather Avram, and Mark doesn’t like looking at it one bit. Who was Avram? And was he really as stern as he looks in that photograph? One special Rosh Hashanah, Mark learns the answers to these questions from his Grandpa Morris and discovers Avram’s gift.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

K-Gr. 1. Avram likes everything about his new house except the picture of his stern-looking namesake, his great-great-grandfather. He can't understand why his parents want to take the portrait out of the closet where it has been stored for years. The answer comes at Rosh Hashanah, when Avram hears his own beloved grandfather tell about Great-great-grandfather Avram in the Russian shtetl. It was he who taught Grandpa to "make music with his mouth" as if he were blowing the shofar (a ram's horn trumpet) used during the holiday. The tale-within-a-tale comes full circle two years later when young Avram, inspired by his grandfather's story, blows the shofar at the holiday service. The story, which introduces some interesting holiday-specific terminology, is pretty light, but the painterly artwork is quite nice, adding a real sense of history. Connections across generations also come clear in a story that's as sweet as honey used for dipping apples. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"... delightful, moving ... teaches how each individual can deeply affect future generations. Exquisite watercolor illustrations...." -- The Canadian Jewish News, September 25, 2003

"...[I]llustrations ... capture personalities ... to perfection.... [T]old in ... warm, ... style.... Librarians will do children, ... a favor ... connecting them with ... book." -- Jewish Book World, Linda R. Silver, December 2003

"...touching and intriguing story... McGaw’s pictures are flawless....it’s sure to spark questions about ... legacies left to future generations." -- Judy Chernak, ChildrensLit.com, September 2003

"...well-illustrated ... affirms the values of family, tradition, ... continuity. The sounding of the shofar ... an important part of the plot." -- Association of Jewish Libraries, January 16, 2004, Notable Children's Books of Jewish Content: The Best of the Bunch from 2003

"The shofar's blasts will be even more meaningful after reading Avram's Gift ... a handsomely illustrated storybook...." -- Cleveland Jewish News.com, October 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: MB Publishing; 1 edition (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962416622
• ISBN-13: 978-0962416620
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,978,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margie Blumberg is the author and publisher of Is There Life After Chocolate?, Avram's Gift, Sunny Bunnies, Breezy Bunnies, and The Scoop on Good Grammar. She is also the co-author of Shakespeare for Kids, His Life and Times. A native Washingtonian, Ms. Blumberg resides in Bethesda, Maryland, where she enjoys reading, collecting novels and plays, baking, and playing piano and Ping-Pong.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 2003 Notable Book, Association of Jewish Libraries!, February 5, 2004

By 

Heidi Estrin (The Book of Life podcast, www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Avram's Gift (Hardcover)

This title was declared a 2003 Notable Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries! Almost 200 children's books of Judaic content were reviewed during the year to find the best of the bunch. Find out more at www.jewishlibraries.org.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lovely children's book, September 1, 2004

By 

Katherynne "karthrynne" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Avram's Gift (Hardcover)

This 2003 notable book is a beautiful story about a young Jewish boy named Mark and an old picture of a stern looking man named Avram, Mark's great great grandfather.

Mark doesn't like the picture one bit. In fact, it makes him a little nervous. But when his family comes to visit for Rosh Hashanah, he learns just who that old man was.

This is a touching story about a young man learning about his family and his culture. The artwork through the book is beautiful, and truly works to tie the story together. It is a fantastic book for young children, and could easily be used to help teach children about Jewish history, Culture and, more specifically, Rosh Hashanah.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and beautifully presented children's book, September 14, 2005

By 

Mark Blumberg (Iowa City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Avram's Gift (Paperback)

I have read both of Margie Blumberg's books (the other being Shakespeare for Kids) and she is distinguishing herself as a sensitive and thoroughly creative writer of books for children. Although this book has a strong Jewish focus, its theme - of a child learning about his family's past - is universal and should appeal to children of any background. Moreover, the illustrations by Laurie McGaw are elegant and often touching. Highly recommended!