New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story by April Halprin Wayland

Wayland, A. H. (2009). New year at the pier: A Rosh Hashanah story. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
New Year at the Pier focuses on one tradition associated with Rosh Hashanah, Tashlich.  Tashlich represents letting go of one’s mistakes and starting the next year anew.  Izzy has four things he is sorry for and this story follows him as he apologizes for his mistakes.

My grade: A+
I had never heard of the tradition of Tashlich and I think I am in love with it.  I love the idea of a ritual to help you move past your mistakes and learn from them. Stephane Jorisch’s illustrations are wonderful, as well.

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Albert Einstein: A Biography by Milton Meltzer

Meltzer, M. (2008). Albert Einstein: A biography. New York, NY: Holiday House.
Meltzer traces Albert Einstein’s life from a young boy in Germany through his death in the United States.  Attention is given to both his scientific achievements and his anti-war, humanitarian sentiments.  Pictures of Einstein and items related to him are also included.

My grade: B+
This book is intended for children, so it had to present a simplified biography.  The inclusion of a time line at the end does present more facts for the reader.  My complaint (and it has less to do with the text written by the author) is that the pictures are undated.  I am curious to know when some of them were taken.

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