The Boston Chocolate Party

by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, Tami Lehman-Wilzig (Contributor), Jomike Tejido (Contributor)

"A fast-paced picture book that combines the drama foreshadowing the American Revolution, the heroic Maccabee fight for freedom, and Sephardic Hanukkah customs" --Association of Jewish Libraries
"An engag­ing sto­ry about a Jew­ish Amer­i­can past " --Jewish Book Council
" A delightful book about friendship, the Revolutionary war, Jewish history, and of course, recipes" --The Chocolate Professor Joshua Mendes misses his best friend Isaac, who has moved to Boston. Joshua’s Papa is importing chocolate beans to the American Colonies, showing café owners how to make hot chocolate now that the tea tax has made tea too expensive to drink. When Papa travels to Boston, Joshua joins him. Together, they help Isaac’s family open a chocolate house, while the people of Boston demonstrate against British tea taxation. 
Set against the backdrop of Hanukkah and the American fight for independence, this is a story of friendship, freedom, and a love of chocolate. End notes provide background about the Boston Tea Party, a brief explanation of the holiday of Hanukkah, and a description of America's first Jews, predominantly settlers from Spain and Portugal who came to escape religious persecution and to find religious freedom and economic opportunity. Includes recipes for Colonial-style hot chocolate and bunuelos.

Genres: Holiday, Childrens, Jewish, Historical Fiction, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Amalia Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

¬This wonderful Hanukkah book concentrates on the way Hanukkah was celebrated by Jewish settlers that came to America from Spain during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Joshua is a lucky boy. His Papa is doing well, introducing chocolate beans and teaching shopkeepers how to make yummy hot chocolate when tea is too expensive.
But Joshua misses his friend Isaac who moved to Boston because his poor widowed mother had to look for a job.
For the first time, Joshua and Isaac wouldn’t be together during Hanukkah.
When Papa agrees to take Joshua with him to Boston on a business trip, Joshua and Isaac reunite. The two families light the menorah together and sip hot chocolate.
The back matter includes more information about the Sepharadim Jews who came from Spain, as well as more information about Hanukkah and the Boston Tea Party.
Very touching story with charming illustrations and lovely endpapers. Highly recommended for families who want to explore different Hanukkah traditions.

[Shanna Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boston Chocolate Party provides a peek into the little-known history of chocolate treats in America. Set in 1773, Sephardic Jews who have immigrated to America, bring their Spanish traditions with them. They celebrate Janucá (Hanukkah) with authentic Sephardic treats and traditions. Young Joshua finds a solution to help a struggling friend and help introduce hot chocolate to the Boston colonists. Parallels of freedom are drawn between the Maccabees, the Boston Tea Party, and the “Boston Chocolate Party.” This charming story is brimming with history of both the colonial days and Jewish history. The art is gorgeous, with a sharp, realistic portrayal of period clothing and settings. Plus, it’s all about chocolate! This book makes a welcome addition to homes, libraries, and classrooms.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know the story of the Boston Tea Party. But what is the story of the Boston Chocolate Party? How did chocolate get to Boston. What is the connection to the Jewish community. This delightful children's tale answers those questions. Based on history, this book weaves colonial American history together with the story of two young friends and Chanukah or Januca as it is called in Spanish. Deborah Prinz also wrote the Chocolate Trail and is fascinated by all things chocolate. This is a good book for children--but also adults. Enjoy! Try the recipes in the back. As someone who has done colonial re-enacting I can say that the chocolate recipe is quite accurate and a fun edition to Chaunkah celebrations.

[gloria blumenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and informative Hanukka story for children and adults too! The Boston Chocolate Party depicts two school age Jewish friends of Sephardic origins living in the Northeast around the time of the Boston Tea Party. Through their friendship we learn about the Sephardic customs related to celebrating Hanukka and how the Boston tea party led to the popular consumption of chocolate in liquid form.

The Boston Chocolate Party is beautifully illustrated to match the light filled story. It takes place in an unstable time in American history when American colonists struggle for their freedom similarly matching that of the Maccabees. It is a good read for kids as Hanukka approaches.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming book portrays a Sephardic Jewish family importing chocolate beans to provide an alternative to expensive British tea at the cusp of the American Revolution. Set during the holiday of Hanukkah, the story shares Sephardic holiday traditions such as the plump, fried dough balls known as buñuelos. The process of making chocolate from roasted beans is depicted in luscious illustrations. Readers will wish for the opportunity to lick their fingers like the protagonists in the story. The Boston Chocolate Party offers a delightful mix of Hanukkah celebration and American history.

[Annette Schottenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tami Lehman-Wilzig and Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz have created a delicious story that young readers are sure to enjoy. Taking place in 1773, a young boy finds a way to help his friend’s family, that will leave chocolate lovers smiling. True to the customs of Jews of Spanish descent, Januca (Chanukah) is celebrated, and many historical lessons are learned. Fede Combi’s illustrations compliment this heartwarming story that will have children asking for this book over and over.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Januca’ spelling on page one might throw off young readers, explained on page 2. Mendes family (strange to me to see Hispanic name for revolutionary times in history) family from Spain Sephardic jews
Bunelos in round shape like I remember from Colombia, not flat Mexican ones here
Didn’t know about this event. Not NF, historic fiction/ holiday
Cartoony illustration style
Recipes at end, info on Hanukkah, Boston tea party, and first jews in America

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This Goodreads entry is nowhere near correct, but the cover and one of the author's names are correct...)

Joshua is excited about Janucá but misses his best friend. He convinces his parents to visit him and comes up with a plan to help his friend's family and share chocolate with colonists who are fed up with the rising cost of tea. A different perspective of the colonies that isn't usually told. I didn't know that the Boston Tea Party happened on the last night of Hanukkah.

[Laura Geller]

The book is as sweet as the chocolate! And it reminds us that the Jewish community is diverse.

[Tess Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique Hanukah story....I didn't realize the Boston Tea Party took place on the last day of Hanukah in 1773, not did I know about the Sephardim Jews. Interesting read.