Sadie's Lag Ba'Omer Mystery

PreS-Gr 2—Sadie and Ori are back, in this gentle series that explains and celebrates Jewish holidays. This story acknowledges the minor status of Lag Ba'Omer, inviting readers to learn about it as the characters do. The siblings demonstrate solid research skills as they try to learn about the holiday by looking in books, seeking holiday-related ritual objects, and asking experts. Grandpa finally explains the holiday's history and customs, and the family gathers to celebrate. The kid-centric approach and Grandpa's storytelling make the holiday very understandable. The whimsical paintings are bright and friendly; a charming detail is the inclusion of real Jewish children's books in the scene where Sadie and Ori explore their bookshelves. While the students of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai were young men and boys, the illustrations of Grandpa's historical flashback show biblical scenes of shaggy-haired children in tunics, allowing modern readers to imagine a more palatably mixed-gender group of children if they wish. The dearth of Lag Ba'Omer books would make this a welcome addition in any case; luckily, the book is also charming and accessible. An endnote provides additional information about the holiday. Even for Jewish readers, familiarity with the holiday is not assumed, making this book a solid introduction to the topic for readers of all backgrounds.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL