Overview

""A delightful tale of friendship formed across cultures and generations."" -School Library Journal A young girl learns how to be more accepting of others different than herself as she comes to be friends with an octogenarian Russian immigrant who wants to learn Hebrew with her father and finally celebrate the bar mitzvah it was too dangerous to have when he was a boy in the Soviet Union. Sarah often listens when her father tutors students for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. She enjoys hearing the boys and girl learn Hebrew and sing. When a new student arrives, a wrinkled man named Mr. Katz, Sarah is confused. He is older than 13. Much older. How can he have a Bar Mitzvah? Why do his hands shake and sometimes he forgets his book? But Mr. Katz has a beautiful voice and he likes watching birds with her. As Sarah and Mr. Katz slowly become friends, she learns about former Soviet Union, where he was born. It was dangerous to be Jewish there, but after immigrating to America and meeting Sarah's family, he has a new chance to have his Bar Mitzvah, even at 81 years young. Inspired by the life experiences of the author's own grandfather, a Russian Jewish immigrant himself.

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9781681156446

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Reviews

Kornblatt’s latest picture book offers a delightful tale of friendship formed across cultures and generations. Sarah enjoys listening as her father tutors students for their bat or bar mitzvahs. One night, a new student arrives and Sarah is confused because he is much older than 13! Despite his shaky hands and wrinkled skin, Mr. Katz is kind, and a magnificent singer. A shared love of music and birds closes the gap between Sarah and Mr. Katz and an unlikely friendship forms. He shares about his life in the former Soviet Union, and how dangerous it was to be Jewish there. Moving to the United States has given him the freedom to live in his faith and finally celebrate his bar mitzvah. Inspired by the true experience of Kornblatt’s grandfather, this book is a great example of how understanding and compassion can lead to friendship. Young readers will relate to Sarah’s growth as she learns patience and understanding with Mr. Katz. Regan’s bright and beautiful illustrations work in perfect harmony with the text. A mix of ink, watercolor, pencils, and crayons combine to create warm and engaging images that bring the story to life. Gorgeous featuring bird imagery represent Mr. Katz’s journey to freedom. VERDICT An inspiring story of intergenerational friendship, recommended for libraries everywhere. —Elizabeth Blake, School Library Journal

Kornblatt’s latest picture book offers a delightful tale of friendship formed across cultures and generations. Sarah enjoys listening as her father tutors students for their bat or bar mitzvahs. One night, a new student arrives and Sarah is confused because he is much older than 13! Despite his shaky hands and wrinkled skin, Mr. Katz is kind, and a magnificent singer. A shared love of music and birds closes the gap between Sarah and Mr. Katz and an unlikely friendship forms. He shares about his life in the former Soviet Union, and how dangerous it was to be Jewish there. Moving to the United States has given him the freedom to live in his faith and finally celebrate his bar mitzvah. Inspired by the true experience of Kornblatt’s grandfather, this book is a great example of how understanding and compassion can lead to friendship. Young readers will relate to Sarah’s growth as she learns patience and understanding with Mr. Katz. Regan’s bright and beautiful illustrations work in perfect harmony with the text. A mix of ink, watercolor, pencils, and crayons combine to create warm and engaging images that bring the story to life. Gorgeous featuring bird imagery represent Mr. Katz’s journey to freedom. VERDICT An inspiring story of intergenerational friendship, recommended for libraries everywhere. —Elizabeth Blake, School Library Journal

Author Information

Filmmaker, playwright, and children's book author Marc Kornblatt is the producer/director of the award-winning documentaries DOSTOEVSKY BEHIND BARS, STILL 60, WHAT I DID IN FIFTH GRADE, and LIFE ON THE LEDGE, among others, and more than 20 web series, including MINUTE MAN, ROCK REGGA, THE NARROW BRIDGE PROJECT, and BLUE & RED, RESPECTFUL ENCOUNTERS OF THE POLITICAL KIND. His children’s titles include UNDERSTANDING BUDDY and IZZY’S PLACE. Marc and his wife made Aliyah in 2019 and now live in Tel Aviv, Israel. Nanette studied Fine Art at the Slade School of Art in London. She makes joyful, messy, character driven work that celebrates the chaotic magic of the everyday. Her work is made with inks, liquid watercolour, pencils and crayons, to create warm energetic illustrations with plenty of scribbled texture and splattered mark making. Her clients include: Ladybird Books, Lantana Publishing, Simon Kids (Simon & Schuster), Editions Auzou, Oxford University Press. Nanette lives in St. Brelade, Jersey, United Kingdom.  

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