Hannah's Way

by Linda Glaser, Adam Gustavson (Illustrator)

After Papa loses his job during the Depression, Hannah’s family moves to rural Minnesota, where she is the only Jewish child in her class. When her teacher tries to arrange carpools for a Saturday class picnic, Hannah is upset. Her Jewish family is observant, and she knows she cannot ride on the Sabbath. What will she do? A lovely story of friendship and community.

This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Childrens, Judaism, Friendship, Religion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Chaya & Cinnamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this is based on a true, beautiful story. The excitement of finding out about the class picnic, wanting to make friends in a new place, that disappointment when you find out something you want to do is on Shabbat that wouldn't pose any problems any other day, that worry of wondering if anyone will understand, the renewed excitement with a possibility of how it can work out, that anxiousness of whether it truly will or not, not wanting to take a chance explaining, but having to, and waiting to see if anyone will help - all of these emotions are felt. Especially the joy and relief at what happens. :) Touching and moving, I love this kind of story where people are thoughtful and good.

[Vivi Vieira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book. The book shows the difficulty of a Jewish girl (Hannah) in a school where nobody was Jewish and nobody knew anything about Hannah's faith, and she had no friends, to at least try to explain her faith. Until something happens and soon she finds that all her classmates want to be her friends.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text to self:

This book reminded me of my own experiences with knowing my students and keeping their religion, cultures, and overall lives in mind. I was actually surprised that the teacher in this book was not familiar with Hannah's religious affiliation or with the restrictions. That would be something I would research if I had a student that was an Orthodox Jew.

Questions:

1. What religion does Hannah's family practice?
2. Why do you think this story is called Hannah's Way?
3. What would you have done if you were in Hannah's shoes? The same thing or something else? How else could the situation been fixed?
4. How do you know Hannah's classmates and teacher cared about her? Would you have been nervous to tell your friends/teacher if you were Hannah?
5. What did you like best about the story? Why?
6. How do you think the story would have been different if Hannah would have told her class right away?

Citation: (2012, April 1). School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't ever review books that I read to my kids, but this one was particularly interesting. It's about a Jewish girl during the depression who moves to a place where there are no Jews. She is a school child and the kids are going to have a picnic on the Jewish Sabbath. (Saturday) She cannot attend because she can't go there in a car on the Sabbath. She feels embarrassed to say why, but she wants to go really badly. Finally, she tells the teacher and there is an unexpected wonderful outcome. The book is based upon a true story during that time period. It resonated with me because of my Mormon faith and we too have the opportunity to often turn fun activities down due to the Sabbath day. (Sunday) I think active religious people could relate to this situation and it would be a good book to read with your kids so they could know other people are like them, but if not they will probably accept them.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back during the Depression, Hannah's family moved to the Iron Range. She missed her old friends.

Then she was told at school that the school's class picnic was going to happen that Saturday. Riding to that picnic was not allowed, not for a girl from an observant Jewish family.

In this part of northern Minnesota, nobody else in the whole school was Jewish like Hannah. She learns a way to ask for help.

And what an ending! This part of the story took me by surprise: I was sobbing out loud before the tears formed in my eyes.

It's a powerful story, sensitively told, and beautifully illustrated.

[Eton School Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story of Hannah, and how she is able to overcome the obstacle of joining the school picnic on the Sabbath. She is new to her school, and worried that making friends is already an obstacle--how will she move past this one? It turns out, our fears are not always our truths. This is a must-read.

[Alyssa Haverfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not Jewish (or religious at all), but these books are great. They preach, but not about God- rather about essentially being a good human. There are helpful lessons and questions as well, adding tangible learning. This story in particular is based on a real event, and is a sweet tale that any “new kid” can relate to, regardless of religion.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this! This story is about Hannah and her family. they are Orthodox Jews who had to move to a small town in Minnesota from Minneapolis because her father lost her job and now is helping out at his brother's general store. I had no idea that Jews often ran general stores in small mining towns, and that they'd sometimes be the only Jews in town!

[DarBesko · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a school picnic is planned for Saturday, this picture book describes how an Orthodox Jewish girl feels embarrassed and upset that she cannot ride in a car on their Sabbath. When she decides to walk to the picnic, a pleasant surprise occurs. I recommend this multicultural literature.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling story of a Orthodox Jewish girl that is embarrassed to not be like the other kids and also of what they might think about her religious practices. The illustrations are very nice and does the story justice.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touching story about an orthodox Jewish girl during the depression. The ending was heartwarming.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great example of how a "small" kindness can be huge.

[Eddie Garcia]

this is a touching book on how to be kind to others

[Gari James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it to myself and loved it. Read it out loud and cried.

[Holli Schoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about coming into your own skin and making friends

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely story about kids being kind and inclusive.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: Excellent book to introduce the idea of acceptance towards other cultures/religions/ethnicities to young children. This book is great for children in kindergarten through second grade, due to the simplicity of the story.

Appeal: Young children will enjoy the illustrations, depicting realistic classroom and recess scenes. The story will pull at older children's emotional side when they learn that Hannah's father will not make the exception to allow his daughter to go against their religious beliefs to join in a class activity.

Application: Discuss tolerance, acceptance and problem solving with students. After reading the book and reflecting on the events that unfold, provide students with the opportunity to create their own storybook that has a problem and solution theme.

Awards: 2013 Sydney Taylor Gold Medal Award Winner

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up at the library initially because the cover caught my eye. Then I read the blurb on the book jacket and I was intrigued. Hannah's Way tells of a young girl who is the sole Jewish child in her class. Her family has only recently moved to Northern Minnesota after her father lost his job during the Depression, so she desperately wants to fit in and make friends. She has the perfect opportunity to do so when the class picnic is announced. Unfortunately, it's being held on a Saturday, the Sabbath, and she is not allowed to work or ride in cars on the Sabbath. That's a complicated issue, and I wondered how a picture book would handle it. Linda Glaser handled it beautifully; she kept the story simple, but not simplified. The sweet ending reminded me of the song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree". It also reminded me of the many classes I've had who would have reacted the very same way.

[Naomi]

Audience: Primary

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Award: 2013 Sydney Taylor Award

Text to Self Connection:
In this book Hannah is a new student and is trying to make friends. Her class is going to have a picnic on Saturday, but Hannah is afraid she can't go. She is an orthodox Jew and not allowed to ride in cars on Saturdays. I am able to connect to this book because as a child my family moved around a lot. There were many times when I was the new student and trying to find ways to make friends. Hannah is sad and misses her old friends. I know what that is like and also wished that we had never moved so I could keep my old friends. In the story Hannah is shy and quiet around her classmates. At times she worries about people understanding her. I too am generally quiet around people I have just met until I know them better.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a book moves someone to tears you know it is a good one. Hannah and her family recently moved to a new town, a town where she is the only Orthodox Jew. When the teacher announces that the class is having a picnic at the park on Saturday, Hannah can not wait to go and make new friends. However, her families faith does not permit working or driving in a car on Saturday, and the park is two miles away. Hannah's parents say she can walk to the park as long as she can find someone to walk with. While reading this I couldn't help but think of what it would be like to be Hannah, a shy young girl who wants nothing more than to be excepted. This story is based on true events, the moving ending I'm sure will touch your heart like it did my own.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah is a young Orthodox Jewish girl attending a small town school in northern Minnesota some time, it seems, in the 1930s. She hasn't made friends at school yet, and is looking forward to the school picnic until she finds out that it will be on a Saturday. Orthodox Jews can't ride in vehicles on Saturdays, but they can walk. The park is two miles away and she needs someone to walk with her. But will anyone at school do it? The author based this story on a true incident that she read about at an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. I loved the ending, and recommend this book, which demonstrates that other religions aren't "strange," just different, and that differences can be worked out.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book (As you already know 4 stars is pretty good for me) This is about an Orthodox Jewish Girl who moved from Minneapolis to a small town in Northern Minnesota. As you might already know, I have a special place in my heart for the Jewish people. Hannah can't go to the class picnic on Saturday because that is their Holy Day. Orthodox Jews won't drive on their Sabbath, and though Hannah is new to a school and desperately wants friends-she is afraid she will be further ostracized because she can't ride in a car on Saturday! The ending brought tears to my ears, I wish more people would act like this!

[Jayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ages 4 and up

Hannah has moved to a new town where she is the only Jewish girl in school. She is worried that no one will understand that she can't go to the class picnic in a car because she is not allowed to ride in cars on Saturdays. When she asks her teacher if someone will walk with her to the park so that she can go to the picnic she asks the class and everyone volunteers to walk with her.

This is a good story about being included. It would be good for parents to read to their children to talk about inclusion.

[Pam]

Audience: Primary

Genre: Realistic Historical Fiction

Quote: "Hannah lay on her bed and sobbed. It was hard enough being new and having no friends. Now she would have to miss the class picnic, too." Page 9.

Rationale: The words are simple, direct, and clear. Most of us have thrown ourselves onto our beds sobbing because we felt friendless or had to miss a special event. (I think I did that yesterday . . . Just joking! : )

[Barb Keister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah is the lone Orthodox Jewish girl in her community and longs to make friends. This story takes place during the Depression, but the historical setting is really not developed or part of the story. It's often challenging to find historical fiction for early grades, but the plot is simple enough for young reader's to follow. Author's note at the end of the book explains the inspiration for the book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction title about Hannah, an Orthodox Jew, will have your attention from the start. Hannah is new to this small midwest town during the depression, and wants desperately to make new friends at the school picnic. The only problem Hannah has is that she has no way to get to the picnic because she is not allowed to ride in cars on Saturdays. The illustrations in this story are beautiful and readers will enjoy this tale of acceptance and respect for others and their beliefs.

[Maureen]

2013 winner of the prestigious Sydney Taylor Book Award. The awards were announced at the Mid-Winter Meeting of the School, Synagogue and Community Center Division of the Association of Jewish Libraries. The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's note reveals this is based on a true story. When an Orthodox Jewish girl finds herself living in a town with no other Jews, she fears her classmates will tease her about her practices (no driving/riding in cars on Saturday. When she finally explains her problem to the teacher the entire class volunteers to walk with her instead of riding to the Saturday picnic.

[Paul Farbman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about Hannah, the only Orthodox Jewish student in her school, is a great book to share with any student who might have trouble fitting into school because of a cultural difference. Although my family is not as strict as Hannah's, I can personally relate to this story as I was once the only Conservative Jewish student in my school.

[Bridgette Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looked like it was in the 1900s and I based that assumption on the way the girl is dressed on the cover picture. This story is about an orthodox Jewish girl named Hannah who tries to find a way to go with her class on a field trip although it lands on a Saturday, which for Jews is the Sabbath day, which means it's there day to rest, so they can't drive or be in a car.