Oskar and the Eight Blessings

Written by Richard and Tanya Simon, Illustrated by Mark Siegel

A historical fiction picture book of a Jewish boy named Oskar who has to walk 100 blocks in New York City to find his aunt Esther, where he will go to commemorate the 7th day of Hanukkah.

Oskar’s parents put him on a ship to America. He lands in New York City and looks at a picture and address that will lead him to his Aunt Esther.

Along the way he comes in contact with kind and good people who give him gifts: a loaf of bread, a comic book, a musical tune, a pair of gloves, and many others. As he was about reach his Aunt’s home, Oskar walks past a woman on the street and she sees Oskar and calls out the name “Benjamin” which was his father’s name. He turns around and tells the woman that Benjamin is his papa’s name and then his aunt calls his name, Oskar– he has found his Aunt Esther.

A sad but hopeful story of American Jews living during the time of the Holocaust. The authors includes a note and a map of the story. A very thought provoking story.

Review by Marjorie Briggs, Oquirrh Hills Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: 2nd-6th Grade

Oskar and the Eight Blessings
Written by Richard and Tanya Simon, Illustrated by Mark Siegel
Roaring Brook Press
40 pages
Release Date: September 8, 2015
A review copy was provided by the publisher.

Tags:

2015 Picture Books, Blessings, gifts., giving, Hanukkah, Historical Fiction, Holocaust, Jews, Kindness, Marjorie Briggs, Mark Siegel, New York City, Oskar and the Eight Blessings, Refugees, Richard Simon, Tanya Simon