CHILDHOOD ISN T EASY... ...especially for Emily Horowitz. As the only Jewish child in her neighborhood, Emily s spirit bears a peculiar burden. On the first night of Chanukah, she marches grimly home, a note pinned to her pocket about her refusal to sing Christmas carols in music class. But Emily s baby brother has just been diagnosed as autistic, confirming her mother s worst fear. Emily is about to become a forgotten child, lost inside a stormy world of grown-up problems and childhood fantasies. And winter has barely begun...
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Winter s Silence, written by Stephanie Silberstein, is the story of a 6-year-old Jewish girl, Emily, going through a really rough time. She is a very creative, intelligent child. A large portion of her time is spent in daydreams, probably the only way she can escape all of the turmoil surrounding her. Through her imagination she becomes a North Pole explorer, a spy carrying a secret note, or a robot. This is probably a good thing, because no little child should have to face what Emily is experiencing.
Emily refuses to practice Christmas carols for the upcoming Christmas concert because God doesn t want her to sing about Jesus. A note she needs to bring back signed the next day is sent home to her parents. She really tries to get one of her parents to sign the note, but has a great amount of difficulty getting either of them to pay attention to what she is saying. Her little brother, Alex, has just been diagnosed with autism. Her parents, especially the mother, are totally wrapped up in trying to find a cure for him. Tension in the house is thick. Feelings are easily hurt. Emily doesn t understand what is happening around her.
The note isn t signed when she walks to school with her friend, Leigh, the next morning. Leigh takes the note and illegibly signs the name of Emily s mother to it. Emily prays that her teacher forgets about the note, but she doesn t. She is later called to the principal s office because the signature isn t able to be read. This time the note is pinned to her coat.
The note is returned signed by Emily's father this time, but Emily still refuses to sing. Religious discrimination is never a pretty thing. Just because someone believes differently than you do is never a reason to torment or poke fun at that person, especially if it is a child. Her refusal to sing Christmas songs unleashes yet more discrimination on this sweet and innocent child.
She still doesn t understand what is going on with her brother. Her parents are so wrapped up in him that they almost ignore Emily, neglecting even to explain autism to her. Desperate to get attention from her parents, she feigns sickness and tells her mom that she has caught autism from her brother.
The only 2 adults that stick up for her are her Uncle Max and her teacher, Miss James. Both are told by Emily s parents that what is going on with Emily doesn t concern them. When the story ends, Emily does receive some heartfelt affection from her mother. The way the story ends leads me to believe that a sequel to the book may be in the future.
The book is extremely well written. Not only has Ms. Silberstein managed to write an entire book through the eyes of a young child, she succeeds in causing the reader to experience the same emotions as her well rounded characters. --Bella Online
Emily refuses to practice Christmas carols for the upcoming Christmas concert because God doesn t want her to sing about Jesus. A note she needs to bring back signed the next day is sent home to her parents. She really tries to get one of her parents to sign the note, but has a great amount of difficulty getting either of them to pay attention to what she is saying. Her little brother, Alex, has just been diagnosed with autism. Her parents, especially the mother, are totally wrapped up in trying to find a cure for him. Tension in the house is thick. Feelings are easily hurt. Emily doesn t understand what is happening around her.
The note isn t signed when she walks to school with her friend, Leigh, the next morning. Leigh takes the note and illegibly signs the name of Emily s mother to it. Emily prays that her teacher forgets about the note, but she doesn t. She is later called to the principal s office because the signature isn t able to be read. This time the note is pinned to her coat.
The note is returned signed by Emily's father this time, but Emily still refuses to sing. Religious discrimination is never a pretty thing. Just because someone believes differently than you do is never a reason to torment or poke fun at that person, especially if it is a child. Her refusal to sing Christmas songs unleashes yet more discrimination on this sweet and innocent child.
She still doesn t understand what is going on with her brother. Her parents are so wrapped up in him that they almost ignore Emily, neglecting even to explain autism to her. Desperate to get attention from her parents, she feigns sickness and tells her mom that she has caught autism from her brother.
The only 2 adults that stick up for her are her Uncle Max and her teacher, Miss James. Both are told by Emily s parents that what is going on with Emily doesn t concern them. When the story ends, Emily does receive some heartfelt affection from her mother. The way the story ends leads me to believe that a sequel to the book may be in the future.
The book is extremely well written. Not only has Ms. Silberstein managed to write an entire book through the eyes of a young child, she succeeds in causing the reader to experience the same emotions as her well rounded characters. --Bella Online
About the Author
Stephanie Silberstein has been writing about children for the last five years. Her short story Before Everything Happened, later adapted for Winter's Silence, won an honorable mention in the 73rd Annual Writer's Digest competition. Ms. Silberstein grew up on Long Island, New York, as the only Jewish child in her school district. She has lived on both coasts and now makes her home in North Carolina, where she teaches children with disabilities.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thoughtful novel,
By
This review is from: Winter's Silence: A Chanukah Story With Heart (Paperback)
I received Winter's Silence today, and absolutely LOVED it! It was so riveting that I finished it within a few hours of receiving it. As a teacher, I can identify with young Emily and how she feels because I encounter prejudice and misunderstanding among children quite a bit. I thought that Ms. Silberstein accurately captured the feelings that a young child would experience when encountered with not only peer problems but problems at home.
As a Christian, I did not realize the struggle that many Jewish Americans feel on a daily basis: the struggle, the ridicule, and the misinformed opinions against them. This book showed me what other people with a differing religion go through, and I feel I learned how to handle this if I ever encountered this situation in the classroom. Again, what a wonderful, insightful book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful story for all ages.,
This review is from: Winter's Silence: A Chanukah Story With Heart (Paperback)
Wonderful story written from the heart. I highly recommend this book for all ages and types of readers. It's well written from the viewpoint of a six year old dealing with issues no child should have to worry about.
Even my Husband, who's not a big reader, enjoyed reading it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The world through two bright, young eyes,
By Julian Traas "JRT" (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Winter's Silence: A Chanukah Story With Heart (Paperback)
Winter's Silence is a window into the imaginative world of a six year old named Emily. We see the events of her life through her eyes, complete with commentary and daydreaming.
She's a very bright young girl, and though she doesn't understand all the problems her family is facing, she's catching on to more than her mother and father might think. Emily's creative side dominates large portions of her day. She'll become a robot-soldier running from some unseen foe, or pretend that Joey (one of her classmates) is trying to cast a magical spell over her. It's probably for the best--finding convenient escapes--because no one seems to ever have time for her. And Winter's Silence has some darkness to it: Emily's family is Jewish and some of her classmates give her trouble because of that fact. The theme of selfishness also rears its ugly head throughout the story. Emily's teachers and her friends all seem self-absorbed--a reoccurring problem in the real world, as well. Stephanie Silberstein has fashioned a truthful story that will resonate with anyone and everyone. You will find something to relate to, because the characters are so heavy and rounded and `3D'. It's clear that Ms. Silberstein is a writer by nature and she's gifted with an abundant talent for story telling. She has infused her characters with a deep thoughtfulness that is impossible to fake. I don't normally read this sort of story--I'm a child of fantasy, and other-worldliness--but I don't regret giving Winter's Silence a chance. It's a carefully, cleverly blended family tale full of personal struggle and drama. It was convincing enough for me to start experiencing the same emotions as the characters, empathizing with them. There is an energy present in these pages that you won't find often in stories similar to it. In a business with more than enough competition, Stephanie Silberstein and her Winter's Silence stand out. What more do you need really?
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Uncle Max, Miss James, Big Bird, Miss Green Browse Sample Pages:
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Uncle Max, Miss James, Big Bird, Miss Green Browse Sample Pages:
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