The Blessing of the Animals by Michael Rosen. Here is another story about that holiday but from an unusual perspective. Even people s pictures of their deceased pets get blessed, so Jared questions why his dog must be excluded. He works out a deal with his mother where he asks a number of people for their opinions of whether his dog is Jewish, and whether, even so, it s so unacceptable for a Jew s dog to be blessed.
Opinions vary and the discussions of what it means to be blessed are thoughtful.
Jred makes up his own mind and the reslution is satisfactory to all. The author portrays well a young adolescent s thinking process and problems.