Sharon Jennings

When she and her family move to France, Charlotte finds that she must adjust to many new, and sometimes unpleasant experiences, from being placed in the lowest class at school, because she doesn't speak the language, to being called "l'étrangère" - the foreigner - by an unsympathetic classmate. But although she doesn't like everything about her new home, Charlotte does enjoy the preparations for Christmas that are underway in the village, and wishes that she could participate. Her parents, show more while sympathetic to her feelings, are firmly opposed to the idea that she should celebrate Christmas, reminding her that they are Jewish. And then one night, at Chanukah dinner, Charlotte thinks of a way that she (and her parents) can participate after all, without betraying who they are...

Billed as a "true story," A Chanukah Noel is apparently the record of an incident in the early life of one of author Sharon Jennings' friends, although no further details are given. The story, in which a Jewish family gives Christmas - complete with all the trimmings (French style) - to a Christian one, reminded me of Patricia Polacco's The Trees of the Dancing Goats, which is high praise indeed! Jennings' story is an engaging one, and I was particularly struck (and moved) by three things: first, that it is the family of the young girl who ridicules Charlotte that is the one to benefit from her generous idea; second, that Charlotte's father insists that they find a way to be generous without hurting the Levert family's pride; and third, that the Leverts demonstrate, at the end, that they too can be generous.

I was interested to see that the illustrations for A Chanukah Noel were done by Gillian Newland, an artist whose debut picture-book, Big and Small, Room for All quite impressed me, when I read it last year. The style here is a little different than in her earlier book - far darker, with more of a "scratchy" look - but the effect, while not exactly pretty, was quite interesting. All in all, I found this an engaging holiday title, and think it would be suitable for both Chanukah and Christmas reading. show less

A wonderful coming of age book written in the adorable, irrepressible voice of eleven year old Lee Mets, in the guise of a school assignment.

Lee adores books, especially Anne of Green Gables and the Little House on the Prairie. Lee wants to be a writer, but it is the 1960s, and her mother would rather she be a teacher or a nurse, because she is female.

Much to Lee's delight, red-haired orphan Cassandra moves in next door, straight out a a book. Lee naively expects her to be just like Anne, show more and desperately wants to be best friends. Things are not as easy as they appear in storybooks, and both Lee and Cassandra learn a lot about each other, life and themselves.

Sharon Jennings has written Lee's voice to be so ingenuous, so full of thought and so poignant. Lee is so real and believable, I felt as if I were reading the journal of an actual, albeit incredibly eloquent, eleven year old aspiring writer, full of dreams and just trying to understand the world.

The way that she describes her neighbors is perfect, and the way she navigates pre-teen feelings and confusion is masterful. The time at the airport, the relationship with her Mother and her Father, and the trip to the cabin are all just perfect. This was the first book that I have read by Sharon Jennings, but it will definitely not be the last.

Highly recommended, for ages 10 - 110.


**eARC Netgalley** show less

Thanks to Goodreads friend Gundula I own this book but it took backseat to library books with due dates for too long. I’m glad I got to it. Its companion book, Connecting Dots, is available as an e-book at my library. If/when I can figure out how to read the edition I will read it.

I would have loved this book at ages 9-11 or 12, and there were a couple details about it that might have felt lifesaving for me.

I liked it now too. I liked Lee, though I didn’t think she was an show more extraordinarily good writer, but I liked her drive and her interest and her honest storytelling.

Recommended for kids and other readers who enjoy orphan stories, Anne of Green Gables, stories about neglected kids, family and friendship stories.

The events take place in the 1960s with an 11 year old main protagonist/voice, and I was close to that age, so a lot of things felt familiar and nostalgic, though not necessariy in a happy way.

It’s a sweet book.

3-1/2 stars show less

Franklin loves playing on his hockey team because they always win. But two new players reverse the normal course of events, and sore loser Franklin finds himself pondering the merits of teamwork.

I'm not a big fan of Franklin, but this little tale actually manages to show Franklin exploring his feelings and reacting with some nuance to a common playground situation.

Side note: We received this book for free as an apology from Scholastic in a classroom book order when our desired book was show more running late. I have no record of reading it to my daughter, so I'm assuming my wife did.

FOR REFERENCE:

Based on the TV episode Franklin Plays Hockey (Season 4, Episode 5), written by Brian Lasenby. Based on the Franklin books by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark. show less