Even Higher by Richard Ungar

by Richard Ungar

Young Reuven has a problem. Every year, on the day before Rosh Hashanah, the beloved rabbi of the village of Nemirov disappears until nightfall and no one knows where he goes. The villagers suspect that he ascends to heaven to beg forgiveness for their sins, but Reuven’s friends want the truth. They appoint him to solve the mystery — after all, he is the smallest and fastest of the group — but how?That evening, when Reuven watches the rabbi through the synagogue window, he gets an idea. Determined to follow him at daybreak, Reuven is baffled as the rabbi, disguised as a simple woodcutter, passes the synagogue, the cheder, and Beryl the Baker’s house — his usual stops — only to enter the great forest. Where could the rabbi of Nemirov possibly be going?Adapted from a beloved story by I.L. Peretz, Richard Ungar once again captures the joyous spirit of the Jewish folktale with lighthearted humor and a rich palette of colors as vibrant as the story he tells.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published August 14, 2007

About the author

Richard Ungar is the middle-aged, middle child of middle class parents who writes middle grade fiction, when he's not in the middle of doing something else that is...

And oh yes, his debut novel, Time Snatchers, is coming out the middle of March!

Reviews

[Amy Bodkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version of the same story was perhaps a little more beautiful, but it also had fewer dots connected and had more Jewish vocabulary. So I think this version is better for Jewish children, while Kimmel's might be better for children with minimal Jewish background.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reuven and his friends have a problem. Every year, the day before Rosh Hashanah, the Rabbi of their village mysteriously disappears until the holiday is over. Curious to find out where exactly the Rabbi disappears, Reuven is selected to spy and find out the truth. This is a fun story on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah.

[Kathleen Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my review here.