The Ninth Night of Hanukkah - by Erica S Perl (Hardcover)

About the Book

It's Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are excited to light the menorah in their family's new apartment. But, unfortunately, their Hanukkah box is missing. Luckily, their neighbors happily help, offering thoughtful, often humorous, stand-ins each night. Then, just as Hanukkah is nearly done, Max and Rachel, inspired by the shamash ("helper") candle, have a brilliant idea: to celebrate the Ninth Night of Hanukkah as a thank you to everyone!

Book Synopsis

A heartwarming picture book with a fresh twist on a Hanukkah celebration: celebrating a ninth night with new neighbors and friends!

It's Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are excited to light the menorah in their family's new apartment. But, unfortunately, their Hanukkah box is missing. So now they have no menorah, candles, dreidels, or, well, anything! Luckily, their neighbors are happy to help, offering thoughtful and often humorous stand-in items each night. And then, just as Hanukkah is about to end, Max and Rachel, inspired by the shamash ("helper") candle, have a brilliant idea: they're going to celebrate the Ninth Night of Hanukkah as a way to say thanks to everyone who's helped them!

This book is not only a heartwarming and fun story, it's also an invitation to join in a beautiful new Hanukkah tradition!

Review Quotes

"Alongside matter-of-fact prose, unassuming, warm pictures by Kober make this a lovely tale of holiday-making and community-building in a multicultural world."--Publishers Weekly

"This cozy Hanukkah story reframes the holiday and encourages readers to bring in the whole community."--School Library Journal

"Children will enjoy watching the family's cat reacting to the various goings-on and seeing the furnishings gradually replacing boxes over the course of the story. Instructions for a DIY "Shamash Night" close the book. This pleasant tale will be as useful on a community-helper shelf as in the holiday collection."--Kirkus

"Tales of welcoming others into holiday traditions are always welcome; this one about improvising when things are not the same might especially resonate this year."--The Horn Book Magazine

"This amusing fast paced story combines religious observance with the value of reaching out to help others, the unexpected ways strangers can become friends and the joy of Jewish celebration even if it is more creative than kosher."--The Association of Jewish Libraries

"Children will enjoy watching the family's cat reacting to the various goings-on and seeing the furnishings gradually replacing boxes over the course of the story. Instructions for a DIY "Shamash Night" close the book." --Kirkus

About the Author

Erica S. Perl is the author of many books for children, including All Three Stooges (the 2018 National Jewish Book Award winner, and a Sydney Taylor Honor), When Life Gives You OJ (Sydney Taylor Notable), and Goatilocks and the Three Bears. She lives in Washington, DC, with her family. Learn more about her on Twitter @ericaperl or at ericaperl.com.

Shahar Kober is a freelance illustrator and art director who lives in Israel. He graduated from Shenkar College of Design in 2005. He illustrates children's books, and contributes illustrations to newspapers, magazines, websites, and animation projects. You can find him at skober.com.