Shlemiel Crooks [Hardcover]

Anna Olswanger (Author), Paula Goodman Koz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Shlemiel Crooks is the story of Reb Elias and the thieves who try to steal his Passover wine. Based on a true story about Anna's great-grandfather Elias Olschwanger, Shlemiel Crooks is an imaginative introduction to the history of Passover, as Pharaoh and a town of Jewish immigrants play tug-of-war with wine made from grapes left over from the Exodus from Egypt. In Yiddish-inflected English, punctuated by colorful curses, the language of a Jewish community of another time comes alive for readers of all ages. Shlemiel Crooks is a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and PJ Library Book.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–This delightful story is based on a true incident reported in the St. Louis Jewish Record in 1919, in which Reb Elias Olschwanger's liquor store was almost robbed of its Passover wine (brought in special from the Land of Israel no less) by a couple of inept thieves. But that's not the whole story because Reb Elias also recounts his own version of the exodus from Egypt, with the Hebrews absconding with linen and jewels and raisins–raisins? Anyway, you remember the part where Pharaoh chases after the Israelites and ends up in the Red Sea? Turns out his ghost is still wandering around St. Louis of all places, whispering in the ears of the crooks to go rob the store, only they get scared off by some noisy neighbors and a talking horse. This tale is a pleasure and a hoot; it rings so true with the voice of a Yiddishe grandmother that it's practically historical fiction (minus the ghost). The boldly colored, expressive illustrations enhance the humor so you shouldn't get bored.– Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Shtetl humor and magic realism come to St. Louis in 1919 in this wry Pesach story based on the experience of the author's great-grandfather, who sold kosher wines. While Reb Elias is at synagogue leading a Talmud discussion (OK, an argument) about the first Passover (when the Israelites were booted out of Egypt), Pharaoh's ghost arrives in St. Louis, still sneaking around and trying to put one over on the Jews. He persuades a couple of crooks ("onions should grow in their navels") to steal Reb Elias' special Passover wine, but with help from the prophet Elijah and a talking horse, the bumbling thieves are chased away by noisy neighbors. The boldly colored woodcuts give life to the city neighborhood, the foolish villains, and the lively arguments as well as to the daring Israelites, escaping across the desert 3000 years ago. The best thing here, however, is Olswanger's Yiddish storyteller's voice, particularly the hilarious curses she weaves into the story: "His teeth should fall out, except one, then he could have a toothache." Great for reading aloud. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: JuneBug Books (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158838165X
• ISBN-13: 978-1588381651
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In addition to being the author of Shlemiel Crooks, Anna Olswanger is a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Anna has made "The Home of the Blues" the backdrop to many of her fiction stories, including "Chicken Bone Man," which won Maryland's F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contest and appeared in Stories from the Blue Moon Cafe IV (MacAdam Cage).

Anna is the rights holder and licenser for the music of Memphis composer Berl Olswanger. You can hear his music at www.BerlOlswanger.com.

Shlemiel Crooks is a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and PJ Library Book. For more information, visit www.ShlemielCrooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No luck, except for readers, April 29, 2007

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Shlemiel Crooks (Hardcover)

Here's a delightful story, based on a true event, of the theft of a wagon load of Passover wine from a little Jewish grocer in Cincinatti in 1919.

In case you didn't know, a shelmiel is a luckless and inept fool, lacking enough sense even to change himself (however slightly) for the better. But the reader of this book will have a lot of luck, even if the chief culprits have none.

Besides from offering a great story, this beautifully illustrated picture book is a good reminder of the historical presence of Jewish Americans throughout the U.S., in many capacities.

It's been a while since I bought any new picture books, but if I were still buying them, this one would definitely be on my list.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, May 10, 2006

By 

Elka N. Weber - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shlemiel Crooks (Hardcover)

A delightful book in every way. Lyrically written and lavishly illustrated, Shlemiel Crooks weaves together the Passover story, old St. Louis and gentle humor to produce a "read it again" story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A charmer on many levels, May 18, 2009

By 

STBAC Past Chair "Kathe Pinchuck" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shlemiel Crooks (Hardcover)

From the Yiddish-inflected narration to the happy ending, this book is a gem. It's a story about Passover, a story about St. Louis, and an interesting bit of Jewish American History. Paula Goodman Koz's illustrations are a perfect complement to Anna Olswanger's fun and compelling story.