This is a very sweet story of... holidays, I guess, and neighborliness, presumably based upon an event in the author's life.

She and her family were preparing for Hanukkah when they realized that all their neighbors were sick with scarlet fever... and the kids were basically going to have no Christmas at all because they and their families were too sick to celebrate. Nobody wants to think of their friends as giving up their holiday, so Patricia's family, who was luckily all well, prepared small Christmas trees for their neighbors and decorated them with the wooden toys they'd made for their own Hanukkah.

This is exactly the example of charity that's right for kids to learn about. You do something nice for people because it's the right thing to do, and you do it gladly. You don't bemoan giving up your things, and you don't expect a reward (although they get one in the form of their neighbors continuing to be good friends.)

A good message for any time of year, whatever your beliefs. ( )

The family in this story celebrates Hanukkah during the holidays. The family down the road has caught scarlet fever. So the family bakes them a huge dinner and sets up a decorated tree since they weren't able too. The families get together at the end to show their appreciation. (4.2)

www.patriciapolacco.com/ This site has an area for teachers and activities to go along with her books. She will also write letters back to the class if more than two students write her.

This is a book about a child who enjoys the time of Hanukkah because her family gets to spend lots of time together. They decorate, cook, and their grampa makes them gifts. When the little girl realizes that her neighbors are sick in bed with scarlett fever as were a lot of people in her town. The little girl's family is blessed enough to not have this sickness. The family could not enjoy their meal because they felt bad for their neighbors so they wanted to do something about it. The family decided they would cut down trees, decorate them, and then secretly deliver them. They used the wood pieces grampa was making to decorate the trees. As the book unfolded so do many miracles. This is a good book for the holiday time. I would use this book for children in third or forth grade to expose them to different types of holidays. ( )

A family who are newly settled in the US from Russia prepare for Hanukkah celebrations and share their festivities with neighbors stricken with scarlet fever. Following their kindness, a small miracle occurs.

Scarlet fever is running through town, many are unable to prepare for the upcoming Christmas holiday. The Jewish family, who happens to be healthy, helps their neighbors by preparing food and bringing decorations. ( )