Yuvi's Candy Tree

by Lesley Simpson, Janice Lee Porter (Illustrator)

In Ethiopia, Yuvi dreams of a land where water flows, bread is plentiful, and candy grows on trees. But it is only after a difficult journey that she arrives in Israel, where it appears that her dreams have come true.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Cultural

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2010

Reviews

[C.G. Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is beautifully illustrated, and I've been looking for more stories for my daughter about aliyah and Jewish communities from around the world. I would have rated this far higher, except that when Yuvi and her family arrive in Israel, there is a passage that I really wish the Kar-Ben editors had done something with. Meeting Israeli women who care for the new olim, Yuvi comments that these are the first white people she's ever seen, and she 'thought they were angels'. Later one woman is referred to as 'the white angel'. The book is based on the actual childhood experiences of Yuvi Tashome, who worked with the author, but as a white American Jew looking for stories to share with her daughter, it's a problem for me to relay the idea that being white makes you look like an angel. It would have felt much better if someone had said to Yuvi that these ladies aren't angels, but Jews like Yuvi and her family, or something, but it stands alone, and it definitely makes the book less of a teaching tool for me as a parent.

Apparently B'chol Lashon gave this book their Media Award, so not everyone has been as put off as I was.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yuvi, an five-year-old Ethiopian Jew, narrates this story of how she and her family journeyed across the desert to a refugee camp in Sudan, and from there flew to Israel. Based on a true story, she describes how robbers again and again attacked them and took their money and possessions. But Yuvi uses her imagination and finds a clever way to hide the last of their money from them. I wondered if Yuvi would find a candy tree in Jerusalem, as referred to in the title of the book. What could a "candy tree" be? I was surprised by the answer at the end of the story. An afterward, on the last page, tells more about the airlifting of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. The illustrations, in soft desert colors, were just right for the story. This picture book would make a good introduction to a longer story on the same subject, such as Judie Oron's Cry of the Giraffe, also based on a true event. Recommended!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was my mood but somehow I wasn’t as touched as I felt obligated to be. This is a based on truth story (I wish it had been written as a straight biography, I think) about a young Ethiopian Jewish girl and her dangerous move to Israel. The “candy” of the candy tree should please parents who would like for their children to want less/eat less candy.

The story is poetically told, the illustrations’ style is perfect for the story, Yuvi is a likeable heroine, but somehow it just didn’t all gel for me.

There is an afterward in the back that explains about Ethiopian Jews and about the Law of Return to Israel for Jews from all countries.

My favorite part of the book is a line in the About the Author note: “Her first article, “What to Do When You Can’t Fall Asleep and Have Run Out of Flashlight Batteries” was published in a Canadian anthology when she was an 11-year-old insomniac.”

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true account of a little Ethiopian Jew escaping with her grandmother for Jerusalem.

Ages: 4 - 8

#geography #middleeast #israel

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[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to get through reading this aloud this without crying. I have a...let's go with complicated, relationship with the concept of Israel as "homeland." The lack of complexity to this part of the story is what took it down to 4 stars. Otherwise, top notch.

[Elaine Fong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on refugees and their struggles in an accessible and appropriate way for upper primary students.

[Jessica Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text to World:
Yuvi's story, as the author notes is fictionalized; however the story is about a subject matter that has occurred in many places around the world. People in history have migrated due to persecution of religious freedom and their beliefs. Yuvi's story is just one of many. However it is written in an easy to read format that could introduce young readers to a more complicated topic to help them begin an understanding a larger issue that still goes on today around the world and in their very own country.

(Remembering) Who were the most important people in this story?
(Understanding) Tell me what happened first in the story.
(Applying) What would have happened if all of the money was stolen from Yuvi's family?
(Analyze) Why do you think Yuvi thought that the "white woman" on the airplane was an angel?
(Evaluate) Do you think that Yuvi's hair is a good place to hide the last of her family's money from the robbers? Is there another place that might have worked better?
(Create) Here is a picture of a "candy tree". Draw a picture of your favorite candy.

(2011, July 1). School Library Journal. http://titlewave.com/search?SID=b1a49...