A young girl learns how to be more accepting of others as she becomes friends with an octogenarian Russian immigrant who wants to learn Hebrew. Will he finally have his Bar Mitzvah?
Sarah often listens when her father tutors students for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. She enjoys hearing the boys and girl learn Hebrew and sing. When a new student arrives, a wrinkled man named Mr. Katz, Sarah is confused. He is older than 13. Much older. How can he have a Bar Mitzvah? Why do his hands shake and sometimes he forgets his book?
But Mr. Katz has a beautiful voice and he likes watching birds with her. As Sarah and Mr. Katz slowly become friends, she learns about former Soviet Union, where he was born. It was dangerous to be Jewish there, but after immigrating to America and meeting Sarah's family, he has a new chance to have his Bar Mitzvah, even at 81 years young.
Inspired by the life experiences of the author's own grandfather, a Russian Jewish immigrant himself.
2025 Sydney Taylor Notable Book
Named a Best Jewish Children's Book of 2024 by Tablet Magazine
"A delightful tale of friendship formed across cultures and generations." -School Library Journal
"Having friends with different experiences and backgrounds can be very enlightening." -Sydney Taylor Shmooze
"Opens space to discuss antisemitism in a non-threatening way with children and is recommended for all collections." -Association of Jewish Libraries
| ISBN: | 9781681156446 |
| Publication date: | 3rd September 2024 |
| Author: | Marc Kornblatt |
| Illustrator: | Nanette Regan |
| Publisher: | Apples & Honey Press an imprint of Behrman House |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 32 pages |
| Reading age: | 6+ |
| Genres: |
School Stories Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Body and health Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Dating, relationships, romance and love Children’s / Teenage social topics: Religious issues / debates |
A young girl learns how to be more accepting of others as she becomes friends with an octogenarian Russian immigrant who wants to learn Hebrew. Will he finally have his Bar Mitzvah?Sarah often listens when her father tutors students for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Mr. Katz and Me is aimed at readers aged 6 and over.
Mr. Katz and Me features in the following genres: School Stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Body and health, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Dating, relationships, romance and love, Children’s / Teenage social topics: Religious issues / debates
Hardback. £13.49, down from the £14.99 cover price. Not Available.
Mr. Katz and Me was written by Marc Kornblatt and published by Apples & Honey Press an imprint of Behrman House
Mr. Katz and Me has 32 pages
£13.49, reduced from £14.99. Not Available.