Rachel Friedman and Eight Not-Perfect Nights of Hanukkah

Gr 1-3–Rachel Friedman is convinced that this year will be the perfect Hanukkah. She and her friend, Maya, even make a list of all of the eight perfect things that they will do during the holiday break. However, Rachel can’t get the Lego menorah to come together, she gets snowed in without potatoes to make latkes, she doesn’t have the right materials to build her snow Maccabee, and her brother is too old and too cool to have any fun with Hanukkah activities. Rachel tries to remain optimistic. But when she causes her brother to fall and break his leg while ice-skating, then makes a comic book as a kind of get-well card, things start looking up. In characteristic Rachel Friedman style, she makes the best of the situation and ends up with an almost-perfect Hanukkah, after all. Rachel shows readers that a positive attitude and kindness towards oneself and others can go a long way. With simple illustrations and a first-person narrative, the book will engage young readers who celebrate Hanukkah or are interested in learning more about the holiday.