A Thanksgiving wish - Softcover

Rosen, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0590255649 ISBN 13: 9780590255646

Publisher: Scholastic, 2000

After her grandmother Bubbe's death, Amanda is worried that Thanksgiving will never be the same. But when she recalls Bubbe's favorite custom - having her grandchildren make wishes on wishbones she had saved up throughout the year - Amanda and her family discover the power and comfort embedded in tradition.

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Review:

Thanksgiving is the biggest holiday of the year for Amanda's grandmother Bubbe. Every year Amanda's family and all the relatives travel to Bubbe's house for her giant tom turkey, stuffing made from her own braided challah, and enough pumpkin pies for each family to take one home. But this year Bubbe is no longer with them, and everyone wonders if the holiday can ever be the same. When the power in Amanda's house goes out unexpectedly during the meal preparation, it looks as if there may not even be a Thanksgiving. But help is on the way, and this turns out to be a very special Thanksgiving after all.

This poignant story of loss and rejuvenation will touch anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one--and even those who haven't. John Thompson's photographic paintings are hauntingly realistic, bringing to mind sweet and bittersweet memories of family gatherings. Readers will be happy to discover that old traditions can carry on, and new ones will always develop. (Ages 6 to 9, perhaps best read aloud) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Amanda and her extended family spend every Thanksgiving at her grandmother's house and love Bubbe's wonderful Jewish and American foods. Even more, Amanda loves the stories, the togetherness, and especially the wishes that she and her cousins get to make with Bubbe when there's nothing left of the turkey but the wishbone. After she dies, the family attempts to re-create the traditional dishes, but, because they try to cook everything at once, they lose electrical power before the meal is finished. Kindly neighbors come to their rescue, and the dinner is saved. Amanda even makes a wish with her neighbor, Mrs. Yee, who offers to serve as a surrogate grandmother, and Bubbe's tradition continues. Rosen's story is filled with the warmth of family togetherness and the comfort of holiday traditions. Thompson's realistic, acrylic paintings complement the story beautifully, focusing on the characters' relationships. Small inserts hone in on smaller details that elucidate specific aspects of the text, and the artist is particularly adept at portraying facial expressions and physical features. A good choice for a holiday read-aloud that is sure to prompt discussions of listeners' own Thanksgiving traditions.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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