Our initial exposure to American Girl books was on audio CD--and it was disenchanting. Actually reading this book with my daughter was DELIGHTFUL! The illustrations are beautiful and I really enjoyed learning about Hanukkah along with her. 2014--ideas to go with the book--make centerpiece like the one in the book, make latkes (SO YUMMY!!!), learn about carrier pigeons, play with dreidels, learn about the menorah. . . I was pretty annoyed at the messages in this book. I don't think it's necessary for Jewish children to accommodate the Christian majority by making Christmas symbols in school. Clearly the book is set at a different time, but the message sent by it is clearly that Jews who honor Christmas are doing the right thing even if it means being untrue to who they are. Also, there's more than one conversation about Hanukkah not being a very important holiday. As in, other people say it's not that important compared to other Jewish holidays and Rebecca doesn't get it. I find it very hard to believe that a child would not know which are the most important holidays that they celebrate. If Rebecca was raised Jewish she would certainly know which Jewish holidays were the most important.It's too bad though because the question of how those that practice minority religions are affected by the majority holidays is a good one. It was just handled all wrong.
What do You think about Candlelight For Rebecca (2009)?
Interesting to read about a Jewish family celebrating Hanukkah.
—12345qwerty
