For Ruthie's seventh birthday, Grandma Gussie gives her a box of candles. Ruthie has enough candles for each of the Jewish holidays and Shabbats in the year. When the candles are gone, Ruthie will be eight years old. But her seventh year will bring about a big change in her life. It all begins when Grandma Gussie invites Mr. Adler to dinner one Friday night. Mr. Adler is a new neighbor. But he and Grandma Gussie knew each other in grammar school. Granda Gussie spends a lot of time with Mr. Adler, time that she would have spent with Ruthie. That's only one reason why Ruthie doesn't like Mr. Adler. He also has a mustache, wears funny-looking hats, and whistles. As the year goes on, however, from Shabbat to Shabbat and holiday to holiday, Ruthie begins to see Mr. Adler in a different light. This heartwarming story by Laurie A. Jacobs, with engaging illustrations by Shelly Ephraim, takes readers through the Jewish year as it tells the story of a young girl who learns to open her heart and accept her grandma's newfound happiness.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4–Jacobs's attempt to tell a story that incorporates a year of Jewish holidays is not completely successful. For Ruthie's seventh birthday, her grandmother gives her a candlestick and a box of candles containing one for every Shabbat and celebration. And so begins this tale of a year in the girl's life as a new neighbor becomes friends with, and ultimately marries, her grandma, and Ruthie goes from resenting him to wanting him to be a part of their family. The story is pleasant, the girl's feelings and character development are believably depicted, and the cast is likable. The writing is serviceable, although the dialogue is quite effective. Unfortunately, Jacobs seems to be trying too hard to encompass the holidays, allowing them to take away from the plot. The realistic watercolor illustrations are static, with a greeting-card style that is overly sweet in places, although there are a few good insets, especially the one of Ruthie working in the garden. This book could be a useful introduction in libraries searching for Jewish stories for early elementary grades, or for stories introducing the Jewish holidays. Others can consider it an additional purchase, or pass entirely.–Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. As Ruthie goes through her seventh year, celebrating Shabbat and other Jewish holidays by lighting candles from the box given to her by Grandma Gussie, her world changes. First, she meets Mr. Adler, a new neighbor, who begins spending time with her beloved grandmother. Soon she is jealous; then she is angry. But finally, as Passover gives way to Shavot, Yom Kippur to Sukkot, and then Hanukkah, Ruthie begins to appreciate the kind, old man, who helps her ride a bike, takes her fishing, and is wise enough to let her find her own way to accept him. The art is colorful, if a little stiff; the chapter organization seems slightly odd in the picture-book format; and although Jacobs works in information about various holidays, kids will definitely need to refer to the glossary. It's the sweet, sensitive story of common emotions that carries the book; children will be comforted to see how even feelings as strong as jealousy and anger can sometimes change to love. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and Sensitive Introduction to the Jewish Year,
By
This review is from: A Box of Candles (Hardcover)
This book provides a sensitive introduction to a year of Jewish religious holidays, so well woven into the text, that they clearly become a part of the main character's life and much more than a backdrop for the changes that occur. The device of marking the passing of time and the growth in a child's understanding by the lighted candles, works both gently and well. The writing is lyrical, and the action engrossing. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in knowing more about Jewish observances. In the process, he or she will discover a compelling intergenerational story. The illustrations are somewhat sylized and static, but many have an endearing quality that will appeal to children.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Box of Candles,
By Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Box of Candles (Hardcover)
The box of candles is a device to mark time. While the candles give light from Shabbat to Shabbat and Jewish holiday to holiday, a romantic story unfolds. The romance is a bit far from the purview of most picture book readers because it involves the remarriage of a living-with grandmother, an experience most readers will not face. However, it includes a range of emotions from dislike and jealousy (the new man means less attention from grandma) to acceptance (he does special things for the granddaughter) to love (she grows to love him for herself and because he makes her beloved grandmother happy). Ruthie receives the candles from Grandma Gussie on her seventh birthday. She accepts the gift with thanks and the clear, foreshadowing comment she does not like change. The plot unfolds during the year until her next birthday, marked by traditional Jewish days. The boy friend, Mr. Adler, appears at the very start of the book, thus, readers first meet Ruthie as a petulant and sad little girl. Her moods change as the book, divided into chapters, moves chronologically. By summer Ruthie's emotional chill thaws. By fall she throws away her bad thoughts of him at Tashlich. By winter she misses Mr. Adler when he is gone and by spring she wants her grandmother to marry him. Ruthie proposes a proposal to both of them. Each period of time naturally incorporates information about Jewish celebrations and customs at an age appropriate level. Large, full page illustrations support the plot line by clearly delivering Ruthie's emotional response to the action. Most of the pictures reference Jewish holidays with artifacts, symbols and family participation in rituals. The muted pastels echo the softness of the plot. The book ends with a long glossary in case readers wish as explanation of the Jewish terms in the book. Adults will have to handle this for their young readers. This sweet, slowly paced story will appeal to little girls aged five and six. Meant to be realistic, it will read as a charming fairy story to those whose grandmothers do not live with them and who do not have beaus.
Reviewed by Ellen G. Cole
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