THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

 
 

The Festival of LighTS

Nancy Churnin’s first middle grade story, a contemporary tale of a child in an interfaith family gaining a new understanding of Hanukkah, appears in The Festival of Lights, a diverse collection of poems and stories filled with history, humor, and hope. You will also get a chance, in other stories by other authors, to cheer a young baker as he tries to make sufganiyot from a family recipe, learn about code breakers in England during World War II, and imagine hosting a refugee cousin or finding long-lost relatives. In this anthology, characters make discoveries, connect with family and friends, and mourn loved ones. Encompassing a range of genres and experiences, there’s something for readers of all faiths in the illuminating pages of The Festival of Lights.

Starred review from School Library Journal! Read the full review here: https://www.slj.com/review/the-festival-of-lights-16-hanukkah-stories

THE REVIEWS

School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

A brilliant Hanukkah anthology that engages readers with Jewish culture and tradition. Beginning with an overarching introductory preview, readers then transition into contemporary stories with an understanding of Hanukkah’s historical roots. All the narratives, which are sandwiched between introductory and concluding poems, explore themes of grief and loss, the demise of culture and identity, holiday celebrations, and inclusivity. For example, R.M. Romero’s protagonist explores five sites her deceased grandmother would want her to visit, portraying an understanding of why history forced the generational loss of her Jewish heritage. Nancy Krulik’s “Cold Shoulder” introduces Mila’s Aunt Sophia, who while seeking refuge from Ukraine, teaches Mila how to celebrate Hanukkah and embrace her culture. Narratives also exhibit Jewish families who invite all friends in for Hanukkah celebrations, as in Bridget Hodder’s “The Thing about Stars” and Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s “A Light in the Darkness.” While celebrating Jewish culture, this well-curated collection also invites readers to explore the human happenings that are timeless in middle school, such as fitting in, bullying, friendships, and crushes. All occurrences, in turn, engage readers and feature opportunities for them to develop empathy for all religious and cultural differences. This anthology is also well constructed, presenting more toe-deep issues early on and deep-rooted, emotionally poignant issues later, with superior choices for culminating narratives and poetry that structure the overall work in a meaningful regard.
VERDICT This beautiful anthology of Jewish tradition that emphasizes empathy, small kindnesses, and hope is the perfect read for all students.
-School Library Journal

From Kirkus Reviews

“Sixteen acclaimed authors offer their varied perspectives on this joyous holiday of light and miracles. The common thread weaving through the entries is the celebration of Jewish religious and cultural traditions. Recurring themes include passing down recipes, uncovering family secrets, testing and forming friendships, dealing with loss, encountering paranormal spirits, and navigating complex family histories that shape the present. Many stories delve into the nuances of Jewish identity, in times of both crisis and joy, addressing issues such as bullying, grief, good deeds, and quintessential Hanukkah traditions, like eating potato pancakes, lighting candles, and playing dreidel. The collection is touching, funny, awkward, food-centric, and sometimes painful, collectively illustrating that Judaism is not a monolith. Ashkenazi and Sephardic families are highlighted, with featured backgrounds spanning Polish, Irish, Moroccan, Russian, and Ukrainian origins. The main characters are mostly white Jewish middle schoolers. While there are clearly more stories to be told, this anthology serves as an accessible introduction to a range of Jewish experiences.”
–Kirkus Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

“To prepare “a sumptuous table before readers,” per an introduction, Herz (I Am Gravity) and 15 other writers—including Alan Katz, Richard Michelson, and R.M. Romero—deliver 14 stories and two poems that highlight Hanukkah’s global history and traditions. Delicious foods such as kugel and sufganiyot take center stage in Herz’s “Der Verzauberte Löffel,” while a non-Jewish “war orphan” working as a messenger in 1941 Bletchley Park finds comfort in lighting the menorah with her Jewish friend in Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s “A Light in the Darkness.” Many entries detail the conflicting feelings young American Jews sometimes face regarding whether to participate in Christmas festivities: “A Hanukkah to Remember” by Nancy Churnin, “The Most Jewish Christmas Song Ever” by Erica S. Perl, and “Dancing on Hanukkah” by Nancy Holder touch on the music of the season and how many popular Christmas songs were written by Jews. “The Greatest Gift” by Joanne Levy, a tale about friendship and grief, and Terri Libenson’s “The Mitzvah Tree,” an illustrated rejoinder to The Giving Tree, go beyond the collection’s slightly didactic feel to showcase stories that use Hanukkah as the setting, not the raison d’être.”
–Publisher’s Weekly

From The Disney Taylor Shmooze

The Jewish representation in this book is extremely diverse, and feels authentic. Readers will see that the meaning of the holiday may be different to each individual and each family. Non-Jewish readers will be able to understand and enjoy the stories, and there is a glossary at the back for any terms that may not be familiar. This collection of short stories will be a fantastic way for readers to understand the Jewish experience and how it’s different from family to family as well as to each individual.”

Genre & Age: contemporary fiction middle grade anthology
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages, 8.25″ x 5.5″
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
ISBN: 978-0807531211

What People Are Saying

“This collection should be on every Jewish family’s bookshelf just as the stories should be part of every Hanukkah celebration.”
– Eric Kimmel, Caldecott Honor and Sydney Taylor Book Award winner

“Festival of Lights is a celebration, a joyful collection of stories as varied and magical as Hanukkah itself.”
– Laura Shovan, author

“There’s something for everyone in these inventive stories and poems—both the ordinary and the magical, familiar places and not-so-familiar ones, poetry and prose, and above all, the pleasure of appreciating Hanukkah in so many different ways. Enjoy!”
– Nancy Werlin, NY Times bestseller

“From historical dilemmas to contemporary friendship problems, from family ghosts to family traditions, from grief to humor, this collection of Hanukkah stories hits a range of emotions and approaches—with an end result that is uplifting and hopeful. Highly recommended.”
-Leah Cypess, author of the Sisters Ever After series

“This wonderful, heartfelt collection will light up the holiday season. There’s a story for everyone. Read them all and claim yours.”
-Liza Wiemer, author and TEDxTalk speaker

Interview with contributing author Nancy Churnin (Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb)

Book Details

Genre & Age: contemporary fiction middle grade anthology
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages, 8.25″ x 5.5″
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
ISBN: 978-0807531211


  • Music!

Hanukkah is also a popular topic with musical artists! Check out these songs:

 
Cart (0)