Dreidels on the Brain by Joel Ben Izzy; Penguin Young Readers Group; © 2016; 318 pages, $17.99.
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – With Chanukah soon approaching, this is an enjoyable school boy’s story about Jewish holidays, magic performances, not knowing that a girl you like reciprocates your crush, an ailing father, and a meaningful lesson from a Holocaust survivor.
Somehow, author Joel Ben Izzy wraps all these themes into a fast-moving, often funny, narrative that takes place over a long ago Chanukah when he himself was a boy.
Along the way, the author—who has a knack for story telling – relates the Maccabees’ fight against Antiochus, explains why Chanukah is considered the festival of lights, illuminates menorahs, and teaches readers how to play dreidel.
This attention to detail makes the book a good reader not only for Jewish youth, but for youth of other religions who may be curious about what Chanukah is all about.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com.