Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Dutton Juvenile (2006), Edition: First Edition, 32 pages
Description
During the Revolutionary War, a Jewish soldier from Poland lights the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah and tells General George Washington the story of the Maccabees and the miracle that Hanukkah celebrates. Based on factual events.
Subjects
Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Winner — 2007)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
A fictionalized account of true events, Hanukkah at Valley Forge is the story of a meeting between General George Washington, surveying his troops at their camp in Valley Forge, in December of 1777, and a solitary Jewish soldier, observing Hanukkah in his hut one bitterly cold night. Curious about
Although it is impossible to know whether the events chronicled here actually unfolded as described, or what effect they had on George Washington, we do know that he encountered a Jewish soldier at Valley Forge, and heard an explanation of Hanukkah from him. He said as much, a year later, when a guest at a dinner given by Michael Hart, a Jewish merchant then living in Eaton, Pennsylvania. This interpretation of that statement, by Stephen Krensky, while perhaps not factual, in the strictest sense of the word, strikes me as being true, highlighting the similarities between two very different struggles for freedom. The accompanying watercolor illustrations, by Greg Harlin, have a lovely, luminous quality to them, and are well suited to both stories unfolded here - the one from ancient times, and the one in 1777.
All in all, Hanukkah at Valley Forge is a lovely little book, which I would wholeheartedly recommend, not just to young readers celebrating Hanukkah, but to those with an interest in American history.
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this ritual he had interrupted, Washington asks the soldier - an unnamed Jewish immigrant from Poland, and a passionate believer in the American cause - its meaning. The story which the soldier unfolds, about the ancient struggle of the Maccabees to liberate Israel from the rule of a far-off king, and the miracle which followed, strike a chord with the general, giving him faith that America too will triumph...Although it is impossible to know whether the events chronicled here actually unfolded as described, or what effect they had on George Washington, we do know that he encountered a Jewish soldier at Valley Forge, and heard an explanation of Hanukkah from him. He said as much, a year later, when a guest at a dinner given by Michael Hart, a Jewish merchant then living in Eaton, Pennsylvania. This interpretation of that statement, by Stephen Krensky, while perhaps not factual, in the strictest sense of the word, strikes me as being true, highlighting the similarities between two very different struggles for freedom. The accompanying watercolor illustrations, by Greg Harlin, have a lovely, luminous quality to them, and are well suited to both stories unfolded here - the one from ancient times, and the one in 1777.
All in all, Hanukkah at Valley Forge is a lovely little book, which I would wholeheartedly recommend, not just to young readers celebrating Hanukkah, but to those with an interest in American history.
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LibraryThing member emgriff
On a cold winter night at Valley Forge, General George Washington is surprised to see one of his soldiers lighting a menorah. The soldier explains the story of Hanukkah. The story is told mainly in conversation between the two men. The dramatic, candle-lit illustrations, as well as the text, draw
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parallels between the battles for freedom of the Maccabees and of the American revolutionaries. The most intriguing part of this book is the author's note which describes the actual events on which the story and dialogue were based. While this is a very unique and interesting treatment of the story of Hanukkah, its significance may be lost on some younger elementary school students. Upper elementary students with greater knowledge of American history may be better equipped to appreciate it. Show Less
LibraryThing member break
I would have never guessed that George Washington knew about Hanukkah. I learned from Stephen Krensky's Hanukkah at Valley Forge that a soldier introduced the holiday to him in the winter of 1777. This part of the book is true, the rest is fictionalized. It recalls how the soldier explained the
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history behind the holiday the general drew comparison between the ancient fight for freedom and the modern fight of independence. The book, appropriate for 8-10 year olds, is lavishly illustrated by Greg Harlin's watercolors. Its last page separates the history from the fictional parts. Show Less
LibraryThing member emgalford
Krensky, S. (2006). Hanukkah at Valley Forge. Boston: Dutton Juvenile.
In Hanukkah at Valley Forge, readers learn about the meaning of Hanukkah through the words of a Polish-born Jewish soldier during the Revolutionary War. During the bitter cold of December in Valley Forge, General George
The Jewish soldier in this book is based on a true story shared by Louisa Hart. In her diary, she stated that Washington told her family that he had meet a Polish-born Jewish soldier at Valley Forge who explained the holiday of Hanukkah with him. This book is the 2007 Sydney Taylor Book Award winner for younger readers. Readers of different times and places can find this book interesting. It is a historical account of an incident that occurred many years ago. It also serves as a great tool for teaching about the Jewish religion and history. This story does a great job of sharing the beliefs and values of the Jewish culture with the reader. Young children will learn a lot from the soldier’s story.
This book would be an excellent addition to a children’s collection. During the holiday season, librarians could read this book to younger children as part of a unit celebrating different holidays around the world. It could also be used in the classroom when children are learning about Valley Forge or the Revolutionary War.
In Hanukkah at Valley Forge, readers learn about the meaning of Hanukkah through the words of a Polish-born Jewish soldier during the Revolutionary War. During the bitter cold of December in Valley Forge, General George
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Washington comes across this Jewish soldier lighting small candles. While the freezing, discouraged army hunkers down for the night, the soldier tells Washington the story of Hanukah. He tells the story from the creation of the religion to the common day traditions he celebrates. Washington is inspired by the fight of the Jewish people to celebrate their religion. As the story is being told, Washington’s own comments and observations are interwoven into the story. At the end of the story, Washington leaves the soldier and goes into the cold night. He is inspired by the struggle of the Jewish believers. His hope for his army’s struggle is restored. The Jewish soldier in this book is based on a true story shared by Louisa Hart. In her diary, she stated that Washington told her family that he had meet a Polish-born Jewish soldier at Valley Forge who explained the holiday of Hanukkah with him. This book is the 2007 Sydney Taylor Book Award winner for younger readers. Readers of different times and places can find this book interesting. It is a historical account of an incident that occurred many years ago. It also serves as a great tool for teaching about the Jewish religion and history. This story does a great job of sharing the beliefs and values of the Jewish culture with the reader. Young children will learn a lot from the soldier’s story.
This book would be an excellent addition to a children’s collection. During the holiday season, librarians could read this book to younger children as part of a unit celebrating different holidays around the world. It could also be used in the classroom when children are learning about Valley Forge or the Revolutionary War.
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LibraryThing member EricaRodriguez
Hanukkah at Valley Forge is the tale of General Washington’s encounter with a Polish Jew, who is celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. During the story, the Jew who is never named, tells General Washington of the story behind Hanukkah. It is the story of the Maccabees and their war against
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Antiochus, a Greek king. The story is one that parallels the Valley Forge story. Both battles were fought by people who were outnumbered and by people with a united hope to be free of a monarchy. The books inclusion of the two stories makes it culturally influential to both Americans as a united people and Jews as a separate entity. It affects both because the similarities between them in the story bridges the cultural divide and shows both sides how similar they are in many aspects. This book would be a great addition to any Seasonal storytimes, so that many cultures could be represented. It could also be used as a historical work, since the story is said to be true, and read at a storytime during National holidays. Show Less
LibraryThing member scote23
I think my favorite part of this book was the fact that it showed the parallels between two historical times, which I think it what helps foster understanding and acceptance.
LibraryThing member KimJD
A wonderful read-aloud during the holidays for fourth through sixth graders who are studying American history-- Krensky does a beautiful job tying together the struggles that Washington was facing in December 1777 with the struggles of the Israelites as they faced down their bigger opponent
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thousands of years ago. Krensky's note at the end also lends itself to a good discussion of history versus historical fiction, since he's clear about the fact that this is a fictionalized account of something with a historical kernal. Show Less
LibraryThing member lmalak1
This book was amazing. I am Jewish, so the story really hits close to home. One reason why I liked it is because of the pages. The pages switched the background color based on whether the Hannukah story was being told or Washington was thinking about his men. I thought that was a really creative
Another reason I enjoyed the book is because of the illustrations. One page in particular caught my eye. The page where the Jews are standing by the Menorah with all the still lit candles. I love the detail in each person's face, even though they aren't meant to be the focus of the page. In the back right corner, a woman is biting her nail. I love the attention to detail.
The main idea of this story is to never give up, even when the odds are against you.
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device for the book. It helps to organize everything clearly.Another reason I enjoyed the book is because of the illustrations. One page in particular caught my eye. The page where the Jews are standing by the Menorah with all the still lit candles. I love the detail in each person's face, even though they aren't meant to be the focus of the page. In the back right corner, a woman is biting her nail. I love the attention to detail.
The main idea of this story is to never give up, even when the odds are against you.
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ISBN
0525477381 / 9780525477389
Other editions
Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky (Hardcover)