Hanukkah at Valley Forge [Hardcover]

Stephen Krensky (Author), Greg Harlin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A soldier tells George Washington the miraculous story of how a ragtag army of Jewish soldiers defeated a much larger force of powerful Greeks, a tale that provides just the kind of inspiration the General needs. ?Quietly beautiful watercolor illustrations draw a visual distinction between the frigid blue Pennsylvania night and the golden light of ancient Israel, which is further reflected in the warm glow of the Hanukkah candles.? ?School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–The presence of Jews in the American Revolution is the subject of this fictional encounter between General George Washington and a Polish immigrant fighting with the Continental Army. As Washington surveys his troops on a cold winter's evening, he stops at a hut to watch the soldier as he lights candles and murmurs a prayer. The man explains that it's Hanukkah, and tells the general the ancient story of the fight for religious freedom against King Antiochus. Likening the Jews' struggle and ultimate triumph against a powerful oppressor to the American fight for independence provides a bridge between these two men and broadens the scope of the tale. Quietly beautiful watercolor illustrations draw a visual distinction between the frigid blue Pennsylvania night and the golden light of ancient Israel, which is further reflected in the warm glow of the Hanukkah candles. An author's note details the historical facts upon which this anecdote is based, providing an interesting perspective through which to view a familiar holiday story.–Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The team that created Dangerous Crossing: The Revolutionary Voyage of John Quincy Adams (2004) offers younger readers another fictionalized portrayal of an event from American history. On a cold December night at Valley Forge (1778), General Washington spies a young soldier lighting a Hanukkah candle. During a brief conversation the soldier explains the background of the holiday to Washington and the two note the similarities between the ancient conflict between the Maccabees and the Greeks and the War for Independence against England. An afterword clarifies the source of this story and provides further background about documented events. Harlin's evocative paintings are rich with period details that successfully bring the settings to life. A well-told story appropriate for both history classes and religious groups, this picture book for older children can spark discussions about the reasons for war. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525477381
• ISBN-13: 978-0525477389
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 11.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,013,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hanukkah at Valley Forge, October 12, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Hanukkah at Valley Forge (Hardcover)

Based on some historical evidence, this inspiring story relates how, in the middle of winter at Valley Forge, General George Washington meets a Jewish soldier; an immigrant from Poland who is celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. As the soldier retells the Hanukkah story to the general, Washington's faith is renewed, and he begins to believe in the possibility that his ragtag army can also win against a larger foe. He says to the soldier, "We too have a cruel enemy who leaves us only with the choice of brave resistance or abject submission." Greg Harlin's beautiful watercolor illustrations bring this poignant tale to life. Children will be proud to know that a chance encounter with a Jewish soldier may have given General Washington the courage to continue the battle for independence of the United States. For ages 7 - 10. Reviewed by Diane Rauchwerger

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 2007 Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner for Younger Readers, January 27, 2007

By 

Rachel Kamin "Chair, Sydney Taylor Book Award... (West Bloomfield, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hanukkah at Valley Forge (Hardcover)

When General George Washington encounters a Jewish soldier lighting the Hanukkah candles, he learns about the Maccabee's fight for freedom and how it relates to his own fight for liberty during the Revolutionary War. The dark, somber illustrations in blue tones depict the cold, bitter conditions at Valley Forge. The explanation of the Hanukkah story is effectively differentiated from the rest of the narrative using a yellow background. The author's note explains the origins of this historical anecdote and its sources. This is a beautiful and accessible way to remind readers of the Jewish presence and involvement in early American history and about the commonalities between Jewish and American beliefs and values.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations and fine text, January 18, 2007

By 

Janice Dexter Ganek "kitah daled teacher" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hanukkah at Valley Forge (Hardcover)

My colleagues and I absolutely loved this book. I teach 4th grade religious school at my temple, and I read this book to my class at Hanukkah. It was well received. They loved the illustrations and it provoked discussion about Jewish and American history. I donated the book to the Hebrew School library because I wanted as many people to share it as possible.