Benjamin and the Silver Goblet (Bible) [Paperback]

Jacqueline Jules (Author), Natascia Ugliano (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing (March 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822587580
• ISBN-13: 978-0822587583
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jacqueline Jules is an author, teacher, librarian, and poet. Her books for children include Zapato Power, Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation, No English, Sarah Laughs, and Duck for Turkey Day. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Christian Science Monitor, America, Cicada, Highlights for Children, and Spider. She is a strong advocate for literacy and education. Please visit her at http://www.jacquelinejules.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, June 3, 2009

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Benjamin and the Silver Goblet (Hardcover)

REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine

Benjamin and the Silver Goblet is a genuinely enjoyable retelling of a familiar story from the scriptures. Benjamin is Jacob's youngest son, who resents being treated like a baby and left behind when his older brothers leave for Egypt to buy grain. However, his father has already lost one son, Joseph, and will not risk losing another one. But when the brothers return from Egypt, Simeon is not with them. Reuben explains that the governor of Egypt had accused them of being spies and kept Simeon, demanding that they bring Benjamin when they come back to prove that they are telling the truth. When the time comes, they have no choice but to take Benjamin, and Judah promises their father he will make sure that nothing happens to him.

On the way, Benjamin accidentally overhears the brothers' conversation about how they had sold Joseph into slavery. Since Benjamin had always been told that Joseph was killed by a wild animal, he is shocked and wonders if he can ever trust his brothers again. Then, when they arrive in Egypt, the governor does some strange things that puzzle Benjamin and his brothers, but they are finally able to leave with their grain and with Simeon. However, after they have departed, a messenger comes from the governor and demands that they be searched to see if any of them has a silver goblet that has been stolen from the governor. Benjamin gasps as the goblet is found in his sack. They are taken back to Egypt, where the governor demands that Benjamin remain as a slave while the others go home. What will happen to Benjamin? Will his brothers help him or just leave him there?

Anyone who has read the scriptures knows the end of the story. Author Jacqueline Jules says that she has always been fascinated by Joseph's test of the silver goblet as a means of ascertaining whether his brothers would abandon Benjamin in the same callous way in which they had sold him years before or if they had changed. She tries to stay as faithful as possible to the original plot, but she refers to traditional sources for some details and flavor. A book like this is an excellent choice to help youngsters understand one of the great stories of the scriptures. Picturing the situation from Benjamin's point of view and imagining the feelings of this boy in the center of a drama that he does not quite understand help to make things real for children, and Natascia Ugliano's full-color illustrations help them visualize the action. This tale is a wonderful example of remorse for past mistakes and the love of a reunited family. I highly recommend the book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Benjamin and the Silver Goblet, September 11, 2009

By 

Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Benjamin and the Silver Goblet (Hardcover)

This lovely illustrated story is the third in the series of Bible stories by this author (Earlier ones are Abraham's Search for God and Sarah Laughs, all of which are recommended). The story of Jacob's twelve sons is retold from the point of view of Benjamin, the youngest son. The brothers are forced to go to Egypt to buy food and provisions during the terrible drought in Canaan, where they meet their older brother Joseph, now governor of the land. Because of the unique point of view, children will be forced to think about family relationships with parents and siblings, in addition to being introduced to the text, which is age-appropriate and easily involves the young reader. The illustrations are dramatic and colorful and effectively enhance the tale. This book is dedicated to "religious school teachers everywhere" and this would make a wonderful gift for one of those teachers and for any Jewish librarie. Ages 5 -8. Shelly Feit

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christian Review, March 21, 2011

By 

Will Riddle "and Jaime Riddle" (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Benjamin and the Silver Goblet (Bible) (Paperback)

I know most people navigating here are going to be part of the Jewish community, but I bought this book as a Christian homeschooler and I'm so glad I did.

This book is a great companion to the Joseph story. It's told from Benjamin's perspective, so it is really refreshing... same story, new details. Even my eight year old who has studied Joseph a MILLION times loved it. It kept all my kids guessing and was a great lesson in literary perspective (i.e. "Why didn't Simeon come back with his other brothers?"). We actually flipped back and forth from the traditional Joseph story and this story, trying to figure out why Benjamin was observing what he did. No editorials, no surprises. Just great interpretation/imagination of what it would have been like from another's perspective.

Also a perfect length for elementary kids. Vocab was just slightly high, but even my kindergartner enjoyed it.