The author chronologically recounts 8 significant historical events in Jewish history, and pairs each one with a free-verse poem, written from the perspective of a Jewish child living through the event. The lighting of a stone lamp is a part of each poem, which creates a lovely unity within the book. The eight events included are, The Crusades, The Burning of the Books, The Inquisition, The False Messiah, The Pogroms, Kristallnacht, Exodus 1947, and the Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.

Summary: This book is about the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah. This book features eight children that share their different and unique perspectives concerning the past stages of Hanukkah. This book is a great example of Historic Realism because the children do not exist, but the events discussed about really took place.

Personal Reaction: I was not very interested in this book, because I am not Jewish. This book provided much insight and information on Hanukkah and the Jewish religion and would be a great read for someone that was interested in the topic.

Classroom Extensions: 1) I would give each child the opportunity to come to the front of the class and explain how they and their family celebrate the Christmas Holidays. 2) I would use this book as a teaching tool to explain to the children that we should respect one another's beliefs even if we do not believe as they do. ( )

Summary: The book discusses the past and informs kids how one family celebrates Hanukkah.
Personal Reaction: The book was very informative and was very colorful. I enjoyed this book because I have been told that I am a little Jewish but we don't celebrate Hanukkah but I learned about it through this book. Even though the family had lost a lot they still had there faith and were grateful for what they did have.

Classroom Extensions:
-The students could make a star.
-The teacher could use this as a way to make a history lesson.
-This could be taught to learn about the Holocaust.

Summary: This poem is about the tales of eight children who went through different stages of Jewish history at Hanukkah. Each historical event really happened, but the voices of the children are imagined.

Personal Reaction: I wasn't fully interested in this book because I am not familiar with the celebration of Hanukkah, so I didn't really care about the history. But the poems of the children made me realize how important the history was to them.

Classroom Extensions: 1. I could explain and elaborate on how the present day Hanukkah is celebrate for kids who do not know.
2. We would go over why our history is so important to us by using examples. ( )

Narrative poems about times of crisis in Jewish history. Striking illustrations and very discussable! ( )