Paula Cohen (1)

Shirley has many ideas for her family’s new store, but they think she’s too young to help. Left alone one day, her “free with purchase” deal has the diverse clientele finally clamoring for her mother’s gefilte fish. Vibrant, comical illustrations expand the story. Delicious. Yiddish glossary and recipe are included. (Sydney Taylor Book Award Picture Book Honor)

Shirley wants to help in her family's store, but her parents and extended family think she's too young, and should concentrate on being a kid: "We didn't come to this country for you to solve problems. Go play nice with the cat." The cat, incidentally, is VERY interested in the gefilte fish that the family is trying to sell, but it's Shirley's idea to give free samples that has people returning for more.

Back matter includes a glossary (Yiddish to English), a note about gefilte fish, and a show more recipe.

See also: Bodega Cat, Over the Shop show less

Very enjoyable read. Wonderful depiction of upper-class NY society in the 1880s. The hero is a world famous opera tenor and the whole book has the feel of an opera libretto! Whilst it is basically a romance, the book covers many more controversial topics such as child abuse, anti-semitism etc.

This is a wonderful tale of a great, feted, Italian tenor and a reclusive,frightened young woman who is haunted by her past. It was set lushly in new York's Gilded Age.

Heroes, ingeneus, villians, this book has them all!

It was probably too cliché for many, while the hero should have been more flawed and the villian should have had some kind of saving grace. However, I ate it up! I loved it! I think I really enjoyed the comfort of the predictablity and familiarity that such a story provides.