Once Upon an Apple Cake: A Rosh Hashanah Story

Saralee Siegel

by Elana Rubinstein, Jennifer Naalchigar (Illustrator)

A clever story about two rival families and a Rosh Hashanah cake recipe. Saralee Siegel has a super nose she can smell things like no one's business. Her Zadie says that with a nose like that, she'll rule the world. This fast-paced, magical story about a girl who loves to cook, a rival restaurant, and a secret Rosh Hashanah cake recipe, is told in an illustrated chapter book format.

Genres: Magic, Cultural, Holiday, Fiction, Childrens, Mystery, Jewish

112 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Elana Rubinstein is the author of the Saralee Siegel books, a chapter book series for children ages seven to ten. Her first book, Once Upon an Apple Cake, was a PJ Library selection book and a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist. Elana has a master's degree in early childhood education from American Jewish University. She lives in Northern Virginia with her family!

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of my kids--age 4, 7 & 9--loved this book as I read it aloud to them. I was so excited to find a well-written, engaging, charming Jewish children's book that when we finished I wanted to check out every book this author had written. I was so surprised and impressed that this is her first one! Our family is certainly eager for more. My 4-year-old asked me to start "apple cake" over again at chapter 1 when we finished.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A girl whose super power is her sense of smell! I got an advance copy of this book and was simply delighted. It's also nice to see Jewish holiday stories that are about the story, and not simply another how-to about a holiday.

[Dori Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Such a sweet, well-written, creative story. I love how all the "ingredients" including fun characters, intrigue, a bit of deception, and life lessons get "mixed" together to teach kids about the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. A short, quick, easy, and enjoyable read for kids of all ages.

[Sylvie Gold · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted fantasy mystery chapter book with a Rosh Hashanah theme.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apple cake is a traditional Rosh Hashanah treat, and this adorable middle grade chapter book is a treat that youngsters will enjoy. There is an abundance of picture books for all the Jewish holidays, but holiday chapter books for the seven to nine year olds are much harder to find. Elana Rubinstein has mixed up a cute story about a youngster with a super power - an incredibly sensitive sense of smell that can sniff out anything and identify it. Anything, that is, except Zayde's secret ingredient for his famous Rosh Hashanah apple cake. The Siegels own a family restaurant and there is a new restaurant in town all set up to offer stiff competition. When Zayde takes a fall and ends up with temporary abnesia, it is up to Saralee to figure out the secret to the cake's incredible taste. Although the story is set just before Rosh Hashana, the story is not about the holiday. It is about family, friendship and a resourceful young girl. It will delight Jewish kids, but can be enjoyed by children from any background. This is the first book in a series and I look forward to reading the rest.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are loving this series. Our favorite is the Hanukkah one, then Sukkot (we accidentally read out of order). Excited that we have one left!

I didn’t love the insensitive around the Aunt’s OCD and the grandmother’s dementia. This could have been an opportunity to introduce these concepts to children in a respectful way, opposed to making these characters the butt of the joke.

Overall I think it’s a great series and we’ll keep reading!

[Yapha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute chapter book for Rosh Hashanah. For grades 2-4.

[Avigail]

Intresting

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about the magic of food and wishes, centered on the Jewish New Year.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cute. The premise is a little incredible but I cut it slack because it's beautifully told.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story for children! It about family, faith, community and one young girl's incredible nose that saves the day! Well done!

[Danika Delello · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids seriously loved this read aloud. They kept begging for more each time. Super cute story about determination, resourcefulness, and facing the things that scare us.