Great book on love and courage. Good art as well. ( )

The Christmas Menorahs, How a Town Fought Hate
5 stars

This is a children's book, probably a third or fourth grade reading level. I used to read it to my second grade kids. I find that it inspires me every time I read it. It's based on the true story of some hate crime vandalism in a mid-western town. A rock is thrown through a window in a house that is displaying a menorah. The Christian townspeople begin to display menorahs with their Christmas decorations in a show of support. There are historical insets throughout the story referencing WWII and the Holocaust.

( )

families, cultures, traditions for 1 has a connection, was listed 3-5 prior for equity and bully proofing. Good for equity & bully-proofing 3-5

When skinheads throw a rock through his bedroom window one December night, young Isaac Schnitzer is confused and afraid. "Why have we been singled out?" he asks, and his parents explain that it is because they are Jewish, and choose to celebrate Hannukah by displaying menorahs in their windows. Across town, Isaac's Christian friend and schoolmate, Teresa Hanley, discusses the incident with her family, and, inspired by the story of how the Danish people rescued their Jewish neighbors from the Nazis, they decide to act...

This true story of how the people of one town - Billings, Montana - acted to oppose hatred and bigotry one holiday season, hanging paper menorahs in their windows en-masse, moves me to tears every time I read it. Accompanied by Bill Farnsworth's luminous winter scenes, The Christmas Menorahs offers a powerful meditation on the possibilities for tolerance and peace. While this beautiful tale is not about the holiday of Christmas itself, it has always struck me that it perfectly embodies that love which is the best and highest manifestation of the Christian faith, and the "Christmas Spirit." ( )

a story about a town joining together to stop hate and prejudice in a time of holiday. This is a beautiful story about joining together to stop bullying. ( )