What a Way to Start a New Year!: A Rosh Hashanah Story

Written by David O’Connell

Narrated by Intuitive

Beginning the New Year in a new city isn’t easy, and it definitely isn’t starting out very well for Dina and her family! But when they’re welcomed by warm and generous hosts in their new community it becomes a very happy New Year for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lerner
• Release date: Jan 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512444551

David O’Connell

David O’Connell is a writer and illustrator living in London, UK. His favourite things to draw are monsters, naughty children (another type of monster), batty old ladies and evil cats!

Reviews for What a Way to Start a New Year!

[ebutzn1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book, “What a Way to Start a New Year!” is an intriguing Rosh Hashanah story for teachers to incorporate in their classrooms. Not only is this a multicultural text, but it also is a story that pushes readers to think about tougher issues, particularly moving to a new community. With this being said, the characters are very relatable. A young boy and girl go through a transition that neither of them wants to partake in. But, in the end, they meet new friends and still have the opportunity to celebrate Rosh Hashanah the way they always have. This story introduces higher-level vocabulary words regarding the Jewish holiday. Some of these words include: challah, temple, synagogue, and cantor. This book is a great choice for shared reading, whereas students can join in on the repetitive phrase, “What a way to start a new year!” Overall, the central message of this story is to present the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, while encouraging readers that there is a positive in everything!

[allier93 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is about celebrating Rosh Hashanah. It informs the reader about some aspects of the holiday, such as the food. The family eats brisket and apple pie to bring in the new year. Dina realized that the most important part of the holiday is family and friends. Her family moved to a new house and they found great friends at the new synagogue. Holidays are great times of the year that are best shared with the people who care for each other. They celebrated the holiday with a religious ceremony, traditional foods, and her new friends.