MOMENT MAGAZINE 2011 PUBLISH-A-KID CONTEST WINNERS
Reviews of classic children’s books by young readers
Dave At Night
by Gail Carson Levine
I just finished reading a great book, Dave At Night, by Gail Carson Levine, which describes the life of Dave Caros, a young Jewish boy. The book starts off when Dave’s father dies and Dave is sent to live in an orphanage because his stepmother cannot take care of him. It is sad how alone Dave feels when he hears that none of his family members want him and that he is going to be sent away.
Throughout the book Dave learns to survive on his own. He makes new friends, and together they become his family. Dave takes you through many adventures as he finds his place in life. Dave At Night also shows a lot about Harlem and the Lower East Side during the 1920s.
An important lesson I learned from this book is the importance of friendship. Dave’s friends take care of him. They always have his back and watch out for one another. If something bad happens to one of them, they always know they can rely on a buddy.
There is something about Dave, his mischievous ways and curiosity that I cannot forget. He has an inner strength that helps him survive on his own. I think of Dave and the struggles he overcame and know that I, too, can do anything I put my mind to. Never give up no matter what obstacles may come your way. Read this book—you will truly enjoy it.
Hannah Levine, 10 years old, 5th grade,
Fair Lawn, NJ
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
by Judy Blume
After I finished reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, I had an entirely new perspective on how religion impacts my life each day. As Margaret’s body grows and changes, she also faces pressure from both her peers and her family. Margaret’s determination to overcome these hardships is unforgettable.
Although this book is directed towards adolescents, any adult could just flip through the pages and find it meaningful and inspirational. Margaret’s relationship with G-d is almost as if she were interacting with a sibling. She sometimes fights and is upset with G-d, just like any other sibling relationship, but by the end of the day, their bond is as strong as ever. She is able to have a “real” relationship with G-d, no matter which religion she may choose later in life.
Her drive to succeed in school and to find her place in the world is admirable. Not everyone is able to fit easily into a new town. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a perfect example of how the world goes round and seems to tip us off sometimes, but we have no option but to hang on. I know I’ll always remember this book as I embrace new challenges and take on a new outlook on my life.
Noga Finkelstein, 12 years old, 6th grade,
Margolin Hebrew Academy, Memphis, TN
Milkweed
by Jerry Spinelli
Orphan “Milkweed” Misha resembles many other boys of his age during World War II. Though he is innocent, he is very brave, risking his life to steal bread for his other orphan friends. Although some may see him as a Jewish “filthy son of Abraham,” he comes across as a hero, able to survive in war-ravaged Warsaw without parents or a home.
His innocence as a boy is unspoiled even by the terrors of the real world; he describes aspects of war in terms of a child’s world. He sees the Nazis’ big guns as praying mantises, bombs as sauerkraut kettles and tanks as “colossal gray long-snouted beetles.” His innocence is even seen in his desire to be a “jackboot” one day, as Nazis are described for their shiny boots, despite the fact that his entire world is being destroyed by these “jackboots.” He only sees the reality at the end, as tortured Jews are transported.
Interestingly, his friend Uri and the other orphans are protected from the city-destroying Nazis by their innocence. Even as they run and hide from bombing planes and tanks and face hunger and sleepless nights, their innocence protects them from the harsh realities of the war. Uri’s concern for Misha and her friendship with a young Jewish girl and her family creates the space for love in an otherwise harsh world, and gives all of them the warmth and strength to face reality. Newbery-Medal winning author Jerry Spinelli brought to light in a powerful way that with warmth, anyone, even a young orphaned boy, can survive. It is a heartwarming story which tells us that when everything seems to be lost, there is light in a young boy’s innocence.
Chunchom Gonmei, 9 years old,
St. Mary’s Montessori, Dimapur, India
The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey
by Steve Sheinkin
The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey by Steve Sheinkin is about a rabbi in the Wild West who helps people from all around the Rocky Mountains with their problems. It’s one of the only books I can read over and over again and still enjoy and find funny!
All the problems are solved when Rabbi Harvey gets involved. It’s hard being a rabbi (believe me; my dad is a rabbi), and sometimes Rabbi Harvey runs into trouble, but he never gives up.
Reading about Rabbi Harvey is like reading the Sunday comics, but the stories are longer and 40 times better! One of my favorite stories is “There’s a New Rabbi in Town.” In this story, Rabbi Harvey looks for a job as a rabbi in a town ruled by three outlaws. He annoys the gang leader, who therefore wants to kill him. Rabbi Harvey outsmarts the gang leader, gets him and his men to leave and becomes the town’s rabbi. This story teaches us that knowledge and good can defeat evil.
I think Rabbi Harvey always wins in the end because he tricks his opponents and beats them at their own game. Rabbi Harvey stands for justice and helps us to believe that good wins in the end. If you don’t believe me, read it yourself. And if you do believe me, read it anyway—you’ll enjoy it!
Samuel Farbman, 10 years old, 4th grade,
Ezra Academy, Woodbridge, CT
Number The Stars
by Lois Lowry
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. It tells the story of a young girl named Annemarie and her life during World War II.
Reading about the devastating conditions of Annemarie’s life blew my mind. Everyone in Denmark lived in constant fear and tension. What was worse was that Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, was Jewish. In that time, Jews were discriminated against and put to death or sent to concentration camps. What would happen when the Rosens were discovered? Can Annemarie find a way to save them?
I think everyone should read this book—not just Jews, but also Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and people of other faiths. Reading this book made me probe deeper into the souls of other people and understand where they come from. I learned much more about Jews from this book than I have from history books because Lowry writes from a more profound perspective, telling a story rather than giving only facts.
Annemarie is my hero. She proved that the only way to get something done is by being courageous. She learned not to be unafraid, but to control her fear. People need to know that the world constantly changes with our little acts of bravery. The world can change for the better if we summon up our courage and do the right thing, even though it is hard.
I found this book engaging because it made me see everything from a new perspective. It made me see people for who they really are on the inside. I believe it can help others increase their level of understanding and at the same time, lessen religious conflicts by building a bridge over differences.
Beatriz Maria Sofia C. Pangalangan, 13 years old,
7th grade, Pasig City, Manila, Philippines
The Pushcart War
by Jean Merrill
The Pushcart War is about a fight between trucks and pushcarts in New York City in 1986. The big trucks are the bullies. The pushcarts are the small guys, but they win in the end.
Jean Merrill created many interesting characters who all seem real. You can’t forget a single one. For example, Maxie Hammerman, the Pushcart King, is really wise. Once he finds out about a truck driver’s plan to capture him, he invites his friend the Police Commissioner over for a game of poker with the truck drivers. Because the policeman is there, the truck drivers won’t try anything on Maxie, and he wins this battle.
Other characters are Big Moe, from one of the three biggest trucking companies; Morris the Florist, whose cart gets smashed; Frank the Flower and his dart board; high-spirited and determined General Anna; and the movie star, Wenda Gambling.
I learned how to be brave from the story. The pushcart drivers’ declaration that they are going to fight the trucks shows courage and determination. I also learned that even a few people can accomplish something big. A few pushcart drivers stand up to the big trucks. When they are almost defeated, the people of the city side with them.
Even children can accomplish something. Early in the story, when Frank the Flower gets arrested, the children of the city unexpectedly form Frank-the-Flower clubs and—whoosh! all the kids in town have pea shooters, and truck drivers begin to get scared.
You should read this book. It’s a great story, and it’s unique. The characters are so smart, and when you read what they do, you’ll say, “I wouldn’t have thought of that.” I want you to enjoy this book just as much as I did.
Andrew Gary Walters, 9 years old, 3rd grade,
Duncanville, TX
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