Product Description

Mindy Klein lives with her tiny family in the walls of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. When Mindy's father is injured, she must bring home a candle for the menorah. With a little help Mindy saves Hanukkah and learns the true meaning behind it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #447999 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .13" h x 8.04" w x 10.22" l, .24 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From Amazon.com
The Klein family--little people reminiscent of The Borrowers--live behind the walls of the famous Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City at the turn of the century. On the day before Hanukkah, Papa ventures out to "borrow" a candle from the synagogue so it can be melted down into tiny candles for the family's miniature menorah. What a disaster! The synagogue's new cat ("a fierce Antiochus of a cat!" Papa claims) pounces on him, leaving him wounded and shaken. How will the Kleins obtain a holiday candle with this killer cat on the loose? Despite the borrowing of a familiar premise (little folks furtively living among humans), award-winning author Eric A. Kimmel (Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins) offers a playful and original springboard for introducing children to the characters, historical landmarks, and symbols of Judaism. For example, when young Mindy volunteers to save Hanukkah (risking an encounter with the cat), she climbs a "lulav" (a palm branch left over from Sukkot) in order to find the candles. When Mindy's wee grandfather saves her from the cat's claws, he is compared to Maccabee, the leader who recaptured Jerusalem from the Greeks. Barbara McClintock's old-fashioned black ink and watercolor paintings, evocative of turn-of-the-century book illustrations, are the perfect accompaniment to this lively, suspenseful tale. (Click to see a sample spread. Text copyright ©1998 by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrations copyright ©1998 by Barbara McClintock. Permission by Scholastic Press.) (Ages 3 to 8) --Gail Hudson

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?The miniature-sized Kleins live behind the walls of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. It's the day before Hanukkah and the family is preparing for its holiday celebration. When Papa stumbles through the door, his clothing torn and without a candle, they learn that the synagogue has gotten a cat. Brave little Mindy then volunteers to venture out to find a candle, despite the danger. Eventually, the child encounters the dreaded beast, but is able to escape, thanks to the help of her resourceful grandfather.The human-sized candle is melted down to provide the family with ample lights to observe Hanukkah. The story and pictures are a perfect combination; with a humorous text and exquisite watercolor, black-ink, and gouache illustrations. Minute details and clever touches abound. The Kleins make use of human-sized objects?a pocket watch serves as a clock, and stamps make lovely pictures. The double-paged inside view of the synagogue is breathtaking. A spirited story with a diminutive heroine whose courage speaks volumes.?MMH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 3^-7. Part Hanukkah story, part tribute to the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue in New York City, this tells of the miniature Klein family that lives behind the synagogue walls. The daughter, Mindy, dares to climb through a crack in the wall, confront the enormous synagogue cat, and bring home a candle for Hanukkah. She is helped by Zayde, who distracts the cat with pickled herring. McClintock's detailed period illustrations, in black ink with warm shades of watercolor and gouache, have quiet fun with the tiny Jewish immigrant family and the intrepid adventurer in a giant world. The menorah towers over Mindy; Zayde wears a thimble as a helmet and a bottlecap as a shield. A glorious double-page spread celebrates the synagogue with light pouring through the stained-glass windows. Kimmel compares Mindy and Zayde to the brave Maccabees, who defeated the evil king and showed that "you don't have to be big to be mighty." Hazel Rochman