Even Higher
Grade 1–4—The boys of Nemirov are curious as to where their esteemed rabbi goes each year on the day before Rosh Hashanah. Rumor has it that he ascends to heaven to beg God to forgive the sins of the villagers, but Yossel, Menachem, and Reuven are skeptical and the bigger boys agree that Reuven should find out exactly what the rabbi is up to. He secretly follows him home, hides under his bed, and trails him the next day. Discovering that the man, disguised as a woodcutter, ventures into the forest to chop wood and deliver it to a poor widow, the boy reports back to his friends that not only does the rabbi ascend to heaven, but he ascends "even higher." Adapted from I. L. Peretz's "If Not Higher," Ungar's version is more accessible to children and holds more appeal, yet still maintains the sophisticated message that may require adult explanation and guided discussion. The richly textured illustrations, in watercolor with colored pencil, provide readers with a sense of eastern European shtetl life. Unfortunately, the small white font often blends into the paintings, making it difficult to read. Jewish libraries, and those with large folktale collections, will want to consider this new retelling of a classic tale.—Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.