The Eighth Menorah

by Lauren L. Wohl, Laura Hughes (Illustrations)

At Sunday school Sam and his classmates are making menorahs for Hanukkah gifts, but Sam worries that his family already has enough menorahs.

Hanukkah is a few weeks away, and Sam can't wait to celebrate with his family, especially his grandma. At Sunday school, everyone in his class is busy making clay menorahs to give as Hanukkah gifts! Sam likes how his menorah is turning out, but he's worried―his family already has seven menorahs! Will they want another one? His teacher reassures him that his parents will love it, but Sam is determined to solve this problem on his own and find the perfect home for his menorah.

Sam's dilemma in this sweet and simple Hanukkah story is one that rings true for kids and their families.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Jewish, Fiction, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Lauren L. Wohl has been involved with children’s books… well … forever -- primarily on the marketing side of publishing. She's worked in large established publishing houses and also helped brand-new publishers get going. Lauren and her husband owned Rabbit Hill, a children's bookstore on Long Island, New York, where she was the Saturday morning storyteller. Lauren has an Masters degree in Library Science; has been a school librarian; taught in the New York University Publishing program and mentored students in the MFA program at Simmons College. She was program director for James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead and is now consulting with several publishers. She is an author of several picture books and a chapter books series, and she’s proud to be the local “kids book lady” in her neighborhoods.

Reviews

[Kara]

Text to Text Connection:
I noticed that Hanukkah menorahs usually have 9 candles to represent the 8 days the 1 days worth of oil burned for and the candle that lights the others. In Kevin's Kwanzaa, I noticed that they also use candles but call their holder a kinara and only have 7 candles, representing the 7 core principles.

Rationale for culturally specific:
This book integrates many terms specific to this religious holiday. It also talks about the main character, Sam's experiences in Hebrew school and his journey to prepare for his family's Hanukkah celebration.

6 Bloom's Taxonomy questions:
1. Where is the eighth menorah at the end of the story?
2. Summarize the story.
3. If you were Sam, what would you have done with the eighth menorah?
4. How is Hanukkah different from another religious holiday?
5. Why was it better that Sam gave his menorah away?
6. Create a new ending to the story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like any book with the word "mensch" in it.

[Storytime Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

"One November day at Hebrew school, Sam's class had a treasure hunt in the park."

This opening introduces a heartwarming story about Sam, a kind and trusting boy, as he embarks on a project that ultimately reminds readers of the value and significance of homemade treasures.

The artwork is very sweet, adding warmth and charm to the narrative. The story’s message—that even when we think something may not be needed, it often finds its purpose—carries a thoughtful and universal lesson. Sam’s love for his family, especially his grandma, and his faith in his teacher’s project are endearing qualities that make the story relatable and touching.

While it’s not a must-read, it’s a nice book for the Hanukkah season, offering a gentle reminder of how objects can hold deep personal significance.

This book lands at ⭐⭐⭐, making it a decent seasonal read to enjoy, especially if you’re looking for something thoughtful and family-oriented during Hanukkah.

Storytime Corner's rating scale:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ is a must-buy or a definite read-again.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ is well worth a read, but not necessarily a re-read.
⭐⭐⭐ is good if the theme or timing fits, but not essential.
⭐⭐ is probably not worth the time.
⭐ would require the content to be actively offensive.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as clever as Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins or poignant as The Ugly Menorah, but in its own sweet way, The Eighth Menorah highlights one of the tenents of the Jewish holiday of lights: celebrating family.

Little Sam makes a menorah at Hebrew school, using found-objects from the park. The problem is, Sam's family already has seven beautiful menorahs at home. They don't need another. But then Sam learns of a need at his Grammy's apartment building and his menorah becomes very special. I especially love the relationship between Sam and Grammy--so precious.

This one is going in my Hanukkah book bin at school!

[Paige Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a book that introduces a holiday that many don't know about it. Yet, this book is a book that has a story that shows family traditions based on the amount of menorah they had. This book is really good as in a classroom I can use this book as a bounce to a craft of making paper menorahs. Also grade level would be fit in with Kindergarten level because it be an easy book to do with a project cl0ser to the holiday season.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grandchild is thoughtful and tender to his Grandma.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

n this picture book, young Sam is looking forward to Hanukkah in a few weeks, but when he and his Hebrew school friends make homemade menorahs for family gifts, Sam is not sure what to do--his family already has seven menorahs at home. He's sure they have no need of another one! But by the first night of Hanukkah, Sam has found a perfect solution to his problem, one that involves his beloved Grammy.

Lauren Wohl has created a heartwarming story about family that many children will identify with. When I was growing up, we had only one menorah in our house, but in my own home, we have at least seven, including one shaped like a hippopotamus that I purchased as a Jewish museum in Cape Town, South Africa! So I can easily understand the dilemma for young Sam--how many menorahs does one family need? But a gift made with love will always find a home somewhere. The story includes a brief summary of the story of Hanukkah, as told by Sam's Hebrew school teacher Ms. Zuckerman; this background provides some context for non-Jewish readers. The colorful, child-like art work provides a perfect complement to the text.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sammy's Hebrew school teacher has the class make menorahs to give to their families as Hanukkah gifts. The problem is that Sammy's family already has seven menorahs at home. Why would they need another one? His teacher assures him that his parents will love his gift, but Sammy is not so sure. As the holiday draws near and his class wraps gifts, practices the songs and prayers for the holiday, and has their Hanukkah party - Sammy continues to think about what he should do with his menorah. The solution he comes up with is both clever and caring.

This is a great book for a read-aloud at this time of the year. I always do a unit on winter holidays with my students and love finding new Hanukkah stories to share with them. Besides introducing some of the elements of celebrating Hanukkah, it also briefly describes the history of the holiday, and it shows a warm relationship between Sammy and his grandmother. It could easily be used to do a compare/contrast activity with another holiday.

I was lucky enough to win a copy of the book in a drawing (through the Mcbookwords Blog and Albert Whitman & Co.), and I am adding it to our school library collection.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is making a menorah in Hebrew school. However, he has seven menorahs at home. He doesn't really think they need another one. He tells his Grammy that he has a secret but doesn't tell her what it is. When his menorah is finished, he wraps it in paper and hides it under his bed. When it is time to have the Hanukkah celebration, his teacher tells his class the story about the festival of lights. Sam still doesn't really know what to do with the eighth menorah. Finally he comes up with the best idea ever for the eighth menorah.

This is a cute book about Sam having to make a decision about what to do with his present. He worked hard to make the menorah but he knows that his family doesn't really need another one. This book is geared for upper elementary students and would be a good addition to the holiday story section. At the end of the book the author included the directions on how to play dreidel.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sam's Hebrew school teacher encourages the class to create their own menorahs for Hanukkah, he is reluctant to do so since his family already has seven of them. He ends up giving it to someone else who might appreciate it more than they will. I liked how thoughtful Sam was and how his grandmother's neighbors also appreciate his gift. I also found the softly colored illustrations visually appealing. I keep thinking about Sam and how he found a need in someone else and responded to that need.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eighth Menorah is a tale of a young boy who doesn’t see the good it will do to make another menorah in Hebrew School for his family’s already large collection of menorahs. After a chatting with his grandmother on the phone one night he realizes the best use of his menorah. A sweet story of Hanukkah, sharing, and love.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Eighth Menorah is a great holiday read aloud. Sam is making a menorah in Hebrew school but Sam has a problem. His family already has seven menorahs. They do not need another one. Children will enjoy Sam's thoughtfulness as well as his ability to creatively solve his menorah problem.