Avram's Gift

By Margie Blumberg

A shofar story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for readers ages 7-11, AVRAM'S GIFT is an endearing tale about discovering one's roots and making dreams come true. Award-winning illustrator Laurie McGaw brings the story to life with appealing and realistic images throughout the book.

Eight-year-old Mark has two wishes: To become a shofar-blower—just like his  High Holiday hero—and to make that photograph of his great-great-grandfather Avram disappear from the hallway in his new home. When the family gathers for Rosh Hashanah, though, Mark discovers that his own desire to blow the shofar is actually linked to a hope that the unsmiling man in the photograph once had.  AVRAM'S GIFT  is a charming portrait of  a family and how their lives—past and present—mingle to make  wishes come true.

Directions for blowing a shofar and a recipe for honey cake are included.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9780985081423

Book preview

Reviews

A Notable Book for Younger Readers

—Association of Jewish Libraries/Sydney Taylor Book Awards

A Rosh Hashanah story, an immigrant story, and a story about contemporary Jewish life all in one beautifully illustrated chapter book bursting with Yiddishkeit.

—Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, by Rachel Erlich Kamin, Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, Michigan

A delightful, moving Rosh Hashanah story that teaches how each individual can deeply affect future generations. Exquisite watercolor illustrations by award-winning artist Laurie McGaw.

—The Canadian Jewish News

... a touching and intriguing story... McGaw's pictures are flawless.... A wonderful choice for those long holiday afternoons, it's sure to spark questions about family history and legacies left to future generations.

—Children's Literature

"[Avram’s Gift] captures a spirit of love, continuity, pride and achievement well worth celebrating on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and every other holiday."

—Ottawa Jewish Bulletin

Librarians will do children, parents, teachers, and clergy a favor by connecting them with this affirmative book.

—Jewish Book World

Connections across generations... come clear in a story that's as sweet as honey used for dipping apples.

—Booklist, by Stephanie Zvirin

Text © 2003 MB Publishing/Margie Blumberg

Illustrations © 2003 Laurie McGaw

Book design © 2003 PageWave Graphics

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

First published in the United States by

MB Publishing, LLC

9722 Whitley Park Place

Bethesda, MD 20814

USA

Library of Congress Control Number: 2003090250

Blumberg, Margie

Avram’s Gift/ by Margie Blumberg; illustrations by Laurie McGaw — First edition

p. cm.

Summary: Mark is afraid of the photograph of his great-great-grandfather Avram from Russia. Who was Avram, and was he really as stern as he looks in that photograph? One special Rosh Hashanah, Mark learns the answers to these questions from his Grandpa Morris and discovers Avram’s gift.

This is a work of fiction.

ISBN: 978-0-9850814-9-2

Hardcover: 978-0-9624166-2-0

Softcover: 978-0-9624166-3-7

EPub: 978-0-9850814-2-3

MB PUBLISHING

In loving memory of my great-great-grandfather Avram Itzik and my great-uncle Morris — Menashkeleh — who inspired this story. And for all the other eleh’s in my life, with love.

MARGIE BLUMBERG

In memory of my grandfather Jonathan Alexander Proctor, who emigrated from Ireland with an open mind and an independent spirit; and to his descendants, whose love I treasure.

LAURIE MCGAW

THE PICTURE

"Mark. No answer. Mar-aark! Still no answer. Avram Itzik!" his mother tried once more, using his full Yiddish name.

"Here I am, Mom —

Reviews for Avram's Gift

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mark does not want the photo of his great-grandfather Avram of Russia hanging outside his room. His grandfather tells Mark the story of Avram and his father's immigration from Russia to the United States. A special shofar's horn is part of the family's heritage that plays an important part in this story. It is nice to see the change that his grandfather's story brought about in Mark's way of thinking.