Rachel the Clever and Other Jewish Folktales [Hardcover]

Joseph Sherman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Although the 46 tales in this collection are as varied as the countries or regions from which they come Poland, central Asia, and Morocco, for example nearly all of them have been carried and passed on by immigrants to America. As a result, this collection is a world tour between two covers, but not at the expense of the unifying element common to these stories: their uniquely Jewish flavor, an emphasis on doing the right thing, on surviving by cleverness and kindness and on the need for keeping ....

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-A lively and well-rounded collection of folktales, ranging from humorous to hilarious to ghostly highjinks. It is refreshing that Sherman has chosen to present such a diversity of folklore, rather than relying strictly on tales from Eastern Europe. In this slim volume, 46 stories from Spain, Iran, Central Asia, Poland, and Tunisia, among others, portray the variety of Jewish experiences in the Diaspora. Readers and listeners will be intrigued by the similarity of cross-cultural folkloric traditions, and will delight in the familiar old stories of the Wise Men of Chelm. The author's notes add the right historical flavor. A fine choice for storytellers, it is also a wonderful pick for reading aloud.
Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sherman, author of A Sampler of Jewish-American Folklore (August House, 1992), has brought together a treasure of stories--46 tales from places as disparate as Poland, central Asia, and Morocco. All are one or two pages in length (perfect for reading aloud) and have been passed on by immigrants to their children. The stories are meant for children, but their freshness and clarity will find them an adult audience as well. The Jewish emphasis on doing the right thing, on surviving by cleverness and kindness, and on maintaining a good sense of humor at all costs is seen throughout the collection. There are magical tales, such as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "The Dancing Demons," clever tales such as "The Slave Who Was a Dectective," and the title story, where Rachel the Clever outwits the the king. Sherman's retelling is masterful, making these delightful stories available to a new generation. Highly recommended.
- Molly Abromowitz, Silver Spring, Md.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 171 pages
• Publisher: August House; 1st edition (January 1, 1955)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087483306X
• ISBN-13: 978-0874833065
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,235,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastically recommended for readers 9 to 90!, June 5, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachel The Clever (American Storytelling) (Paperback)

Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales is a wonderful collection of forty-six outstanding, multicultural tales drawn from the Jewish communities of Poland, Spain, Morocco, Yemen, and Central Asia. Entertaining, illuminating, showcasing Jewish wit, wisdom and humor, Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales and the other memorable stories are enhanced for the modern reader with notes providing additional information on the origins and different versions of the stories, as well as the characters and creatures that populate them. Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales is enthusiastically recommended reading for ages 9 to 90!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book of Jewish wisdom tales, December 15, 2009

By 

Jean A. Jones (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachel The Clever (American Storytelling) (Paperback)

This along with Solomon and the Ant, is a great example of Jewish Wisdom Tales. I bought this to read to my daughter but you can read this to anyone who is interested in reading a good story with a moral.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great stories for 3-8 yeear olds, January 27, 2010

By 

Sally G. Goren "bubbe" - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachel The Clever (American Storytelling) (Paperback)

Wonderful, very brief stories for young children. The reader can build an understandable moral from each of them. They are humorous, not frightening, and nicely illustrated in romantic pictures. After taking it from the library to read to my grandchildren, I ordered three copies so each could have one in their own homes and there would still be one when they visited with me. The stories can be read over and over because they have so much to say, even tho' they are short.