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35th out of 48 books
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The Yankee at the Seder
The war is over, and everyone is saying the South lost. Ten-year-old Jacob would give anything to show those Yankees that not all Confederates are ready to surrender.
He gets his chance when he sees a real, live Yankee soldier walking down his street, on leave for Passover. But before Jacob can think of a way to be brave, the Yankee asks him for a piece of his matzoh.
This...more
He gets his chance when he sees a real, live Yankee soldier walking down his street, on leave for Passover. But before Jacob can think of a way to be brave, the Yankee asks him for a piece of his matzoh.
This...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
March 10th 2009
by Tricycle Press
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There is devastation all around, but young Jacob’s biggest concern is that he will never be able capture Yankees as a Rebel General now that the war is over. His family has been preparing for Passover for weeks and he sits on the porch eating some Matzoh while contemplating this disappointment. A Yankee soldier on Passover leave interrupts his thoughts and asks him for a bite. Jacob is stunned by this request, but even more so by his mother’s invitation to the stranger to share the Seder with...more
Note: this turned into not so much a review, but rather a recap with heavy commentary.
If there is an annual award for Most Awkward Seder (and there should be, considering how tense family holidays can get) then the 1865 award most definitely went to the Josephson family of Virginia.
Elka Weber writes about a peculiar moment in time that illustrates 1.) the diversity of this nation, 2.) the unifying aspects of common ground, and 3.) the extremes of cognitive di...more
This beautifully told story for older readers takes place in Virginia immediately after the Civil War has ended. It is a delicate time, the states are in upheaval from destruction and war, but it is also a time to be welcoming to others. It is Passover. Jacob and his family, Virginia Confederates, invite a Yankee soldier to join them. At first, Jacob is shocked and angry, how could his family invite him? But, his mother reminds him that during Passover they welcome all who are hungry and in need...more
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A truly wonderful story that is (mostly) true. The Civil War has ended, Passover is here, and the Josephson family in Virginia is surprised to find a Yankee soldier coming up the walk. They invite him in for the Seder, and during the reading of the Haggadah the family and the soldier argue (civilly) about freedom, liberty and how the two concepts tie in with Passover. Through it all the characters are realistic (which makes since, as Myer Levy, the soldier, was a real person) and the arguments g...more
I read 2 books this past weekend about celebrating Passover during the Civil War. Well, this one actually takes place just after the war had ended and a few days before Lincoln was assassinated. It's based upon a true story of how a Jewish Union soldier was invited to the seder of a Confederate family. The tension in the situation was portrayed through the narration by the young boy whose family held the seder. The best part of the story was when everyone began to realize that the story of ...more
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Yankee at the Seder is based on a family story that had been passed down through many generations. It tells the story of a Passover Seder celebrated by a Southern Jewish family soon after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Following tradition, this family reluctantly invited a Yankee Jewish soldier to join their celebration. I enjoyed this story because it showed the importance of finding those things that bind us together, even when the world tries ...more
The Yankee at the Seder is based on a family story that had been passed down through many generations. It tells the story of a Passover Seder celebrated by a Southern Jewish family soon after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Following tradition, this family reluctantly invited a Yankee Jewish soldier to join their celebration. I enjoyed this story because it showed the importance of finding those things that bind us together, even when the world tries ...more
This picture book is based off a true story from the end of the Civil War. When the war ended right before Passover, one Northern soldier was in Virginia. He saw a little boy eating matzah on a porch, and found himself invited to the seder. This book is a creative imagining of what that seder must have been like.
The author's note at the end says that she has always thought that it must have been an awkward night. With Passover's themes of freedom from slavery, as well as going agains...more
The author's note at the end says that she has always thought that it must have been an awkward night. With Passover's themes of freedom from slavery, as well as going agains...more
This is a true story of a Yankee soldier sharing the Passover Seder in a Confederate family just after Lee surrendered. It not only tells an event in the little known history of the Jewish Civil War soldier, but give an insight into the real meaning of bravery, freedom, and the resolution of war. This story should definitely be shared.
Molly
rated it
Heather told me this was a great book and she was right. The book is about a southern Jewish boy right after the civil war ends and a yankee Jewish soldier who stops at their house and joins them for Seder. This is a beautiful book and very well done. Grades 2+
Several interesting themes are found in this book: Seder traditions, North vs. South in Civil War, early Jews in the U.S. Book was enjoyable while not being overly innundated with information.
Ten year old Jacob is a Confederate, and is smarting from the South's loss in the Civil War. When some Yankees come through town during Passover, one of them comes to his home seeking a family willing to share their Seder. The soldier gently guides Jacob's thinking about slavery with comparisons to the plight of the Jews of the Old Testament, and slowly, the healing process begins. Adam Gustavson's illustrations are a delight.
I thought it was a lovely story that touched on how Jews delt with each other during the Civil War (something that I've thought of a few times). It went over some basic Passover principles, and had nice illistrations.
Ex wishlist
Good retelling of a moment in history. The photos at the end were fascinating. The book though runs long, even longer because I had to stop to explain a lot of things to my children.
Good retelling of a moment in history. The photos at the end were fascinating. The book though runs long, even longer because I had to stop to explain a lot of things to my children.
Steven Dexheimer
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Tara
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Natasha Maw
marked it as read-picture-books-and-early-reader
Naomi King
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Cathy
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Michaela
marked it as to-read
Cheryl/Aradanryl
marked it as interesting-possibilities
Miriam
marked it as to-read
Recommended to Miriam by:
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
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