School Library Journal
WEBER, Elka. The Yankee at the Seder. illus. by Adam Gustavson. unpaged. photos. reprods. glossary. CIP. Tricycle. Feb. 2009. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-58246-256-1. LC 2008011229.
Gr 2-5-Just after the Civil War, a Jewish Yankee needing a place to observe Passover finds a Confederate family who offers him hospitality, mindful of the words in the Passover Haggadah, "All who are hungry, let them come and eat." Young Jacob, bitter about the South's defeat, is resentful at first, and the whole family finds the situation awkward. However, the Jewish tradition of debate and interpretation allows each side a voice, as the Josephsons interpret the story of the Exodus as rebellion against an unjust government, while Corporal Levy points out the misery of slavery and the joy of freedom. A blossoming friendship between Myer Levy and the Southern family begins the postwar healing process. Respect for others' opinions and openness to learning are the key themes of this beautifully told story. Masterful oil paintings pace the action and reflect characters' emotions. The historical basis for the tale is revealed in the end-note, which includes photos of Levy's family and his actual saber, and supporting material about Passover is included as front and back matter. This lovely tale infuses history with feeling and illuminates the spirit of a major Jewish holiday in a way that can be appreciated by readers of all backgrounds.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL
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Ten year old Jacob is a Confederate, and is smarting from the South's loss in the Civil War. When some Yankees come through town during Passover, one of them comes to his home seeking a family willing to share their Seder. The soldier gently guides Jacob's thinking about slavery with comparisons to the plight of the Jews of the Old Testament, and slowly, the healing process begins. Adam Gustavson's illustrations are a delight.
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A truly wonderful story that is (mostly) true. The Civil War has ended, Passover is here, and the Josephson family in Virginia is surprised to find a Yankee soldier coming up the walk. They invite him in for the Seder, and during the reading of the Haggadah the family and the soldier argue (civilly) about freedom, liberty and how the two concepts tie in with Passover. Through it all the characters are realistic (which makes since, as Myer Levy, the soldier, was a real person) and the arguments give no easy answers.
The Yankee at the Seder Elka Weber,
illus. by Adam Gustavson. Tricycle, $16.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-58246-256-1
When his mother invites a Union Army corporal—“a Yankee Jew” named Myer Levy—to join the family for Passover, Jacob is aghast: they're proud Virginia Confederates, and only 24 hours have passed since Lee's surrender. But Mother has tradition on her side: as she reminds Jacob, the Haggadah commands Jews to welcome “all who are hungry... all who are in need” to their seder tables. With a cinematic flair and rich, realist oils, Gustavson (A Very Improbable Story) depicts how a détente between North and South is forged—albeit tenuously—by the timeless values of faith, civility and chicken soup. Basing her writing on a historical incident, Weber makes an impressive debut. The fiercely held loyalties and enthusiasms of her 10-year-old narrator feel authentic, and her gift for dialogue—especially the Southern-Jewish inflections of Jacob's family—makes the pages fly. Above all, she deserves great credit for not forcing her characters to hug and learn in the final pages. “Well, that was something, wasn't it?” the mother says as the Yankee departs. Sensitively written and beautifully illustrated. Ages 7–9. (Mar.)