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The Only One Club
This heartwarming story explores the many ways in which children feel unique and special. Mrs. Matthews's first grade class begins making Christmas decorations, but because Jennifer is Jewish, Mrs. Matthews allows her to make Hanukkah decorations instead. Jennifer enjoys the attention and creates "The Only One Club," of which she is the sole member. When her classmates want to join, she is resistant until she realizes that each of her friends is also "the only one" at something. As she inducts them into her club she reveals the unique qualities that make each of her classmates extraordinary. Through this touching story, young children are encouraged to discover and treasure their own uniqueness and to actively look for special qualities in others beyond race or culture. A medley of pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, and pastel illustrations bring this inspiring and humorous tale to life.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 13, 2022
I saw this book recommended as a way to help support covid-cautious kids who continue to wear masks in mask-optional settings, like school. Peer pressure is real, and being the only person in a classroom wearing a mask can be isolating and intimidating.
I really, really wanted to like this book. Growing up in the 1980s, I remember the discomfort and embarrassment of being the only Asian person in my class, the only kid who wore glasses, even the only student in my class who was a member of the Brownies! Young me absolutely would have benefited from the way this book takes being "the only one" of something and turns it on its head as something to be PROUD of. When the main character, Jennifer, realized she was the only Jewish kid in her class, she immediately delighted in being "the only one" and wanted to celebrate it. That premise is fantastic! I just wish the implementation could have been better.
Right off the bat, the book felt dated. Mrs. Matthews, the teacher, had the whole class making Christmas decorations. Back in the '80s, this type of classroom activity was commonplace. Maybe it was still happening here and there in 2004, when this book was first published. But definitely in 2022, when I read this book, a teacher presumably in a public school centering a Christian holiday in the classroom just didn't feel right.
I do love how Jennifer did not for a second feel embarrassed about being the only Jewish kid in her class. Being Jewish was something that could potentially put Jennifer on the receiving end of hateful words and deeds, and being the only one made her particularly vulnerable because she had no obvious or automatic allies. For her to take pride in something that could be used as fodder for taunts or other inappropriate behavior directed towards her is what made Jennifer's attitude and actions particularly brave, meaningful, and mature.
It was strange, then, when her classmates joined The Only One Club for things like: having a last name that is also the name of a bird, having a pet iguana, and being able to jump Double Dutch. These are not the type of differences that would normally cause chidren to feel like they don't belong, as being a different race or religion, or being the sole mask-wearer, would. Moreover, some of the reasons didn't even make sense! TWO twin girls joined by being "the only one(s?)" who were twins?! And then the teacher joined because she was "the only one" who wasn't already in the club, thereby negating her reason for joining as soon as she joined!
According to the illustrations, Jennifer's class was wonderfully culturally diverse. Alongside some of the superficial differences, it would have been easy to include more substantial differences, e.g., one kid could have been the only one who was Chinese, another could have been the only one who spoke Spanish, this kid could have been the only one with glasses, or a wheelchair, and that kid could have been the only one with asthma, or a food allergy.
Speaking of food allergies, the exchange between Jennifer and Jonah during lunch nearly gave me a conniption! With a "mouth full of peanut butter", "Jonah gave her a raspberry, spraying peanut butter all over the lunch table"!!!!! The illustration literally had food particles on a trajectory to land on Jennifer's food! What if Jennifer was allergic to peanuts!? What if the next kid to sit at that table was allergic!?
Anyway. This book might be a good option for its Hanukkah theme, but as a book about inclusion, I feel it doesn't quite get across the idea that inclusion needs to extend to attributes that may make individuals feel out of place because they are atypical compared to a widely accepted norm.
I really, really wanted to like this book. Growing up in the 1980s, I remember the discomfort and embarrassment of being the only Asian person in my class, the only kid who wore glasses, even the only student in my class who was a member of the Brownies! Young me absolutely would have benefited from the way this book takes being "the only one" of something and turns it on its head as something to be PROUD of. When the main character, Jennifer, realized she was the only Jewish kid in her class, she immediately delighted in being "the only one" and wanted to celebrate it. That premise is fantastic! I just wish the implementation could have been better.
Right off the bat, the book felt dated. Mrs. Matthews, the teacher, had the whole class making Christmas decorations. Back in the '80s, this type of classroom activity was commonplace. Maybe it was still happening here and there in 2004, when this book was first published. But definitely in 2022, when I read this book, a teacher presumably in a public school centering a Christian holiday in the classroom just didn't feel right.
I do love how Jennifer did not for a second feel embarrassed about being the only Jewish kid in her class. Being Jewish was something that could potentially put Jennifer on the receiving end of hateful words and deeds, and being the only one made her particularly vulnerable because she had no obvious or automatic allies. For her to take pride in something that could be used as fodder for taunts or other inappropriate behavior directed towards her is what made Jennifer's attitude and actions particularly brave, meaningful, and mature.
It was strange, then, when her classmates joined The Only One Club for things like: having a last name that is also the name of a bird, having a pet iguana, and being able to jump Double Dutch. These are not the type of differences that would normally cause chidren to feel like they don't belong, as being a different race or religion, or being the sole mask-wearer, would. Moreover, some of the reasons didn't even make sense! TWO twin girls joined by being "the only one(s?)" who were twins?! And then the teacher joined because she was "the only one" who wasn't already in the club, thereby negating her reason for joining as soon as she joined!
According to the illustrations, Jennifer's class was wonderfully culturally diverse. Alongside some of the superficial differences, it would have been easy to include more substantial differences, e.g., one kid could have been the only one who was Chinese, another could have been the only one who spoke Spanish, this kid could have been the only one with glasses, or a wheelchair, and that kid could have been the only one with asthma, or a food allergy.
Speaking of food allergies, the exchange between Jennifer and Jonah during lunch nearly gave me a conniption! With a "mouth full of peanut butter", "Jonah gave her a raspberry, spraying peanut butter all over the lunch table"!!!!! The illustration literally had food particles on a trajectory to land on Jennifer's food! What if Jennifer was allergic to peanuts!? What if the next kid to sit at that table was allergic!?
Anyway. This book might be a good option for its Hanukkah theme, but as a book about inclusion, I feel it doesn't quite get across the idea that inclusion needs to extend to attributes that may make individuals feel out of place because they are atypical compared to a widely accepted norm.
March 26, 2013
This is kind of a weird little book, but ultimately clever and memorable. The opening threw me, because it seemed a bit strange that they were all making Christmas decorations instead of learning about all the holidays, maybe I am biased by the Brave New World that is my daughter's preschool. But then it quickly got to the point, which was making a game out of finding uniqueness, instead of scapegoating people who are different.
I was worried at first that this book neglects the personal religious nature of being Jewish by comparing it to red hair and having a pet iguana. I realize now that this is not really a story about religious diversity, but about all our differences, and so it sets up the framework for future conversations about religious diversity, racial diversity, etc. It did in fact start more than one conversation with my four-year-old daughter about being the only one, so it is a good conversation starter. And her preschool class had fun thinking of things that they were "The Only One" of.
All in all, I was surprised by this book. I am so used to having intense, demonstrative discussions with kids about the different holidays that I forget that sometimes simple concepts make the strongest impressions.
Warning: If you are like me, and do not consider being a twin to be something you are "the only one" of, then I recommend you avert your eyes during that part of the book!!
I was worried at first that this book neglects the personal religious nature of being Jewish by comparing it to red hair and having a pet iguana. I realize now that this is not really a story about religious diversity, but about all our differences, and so it sets up the framework for future conversations about religious diversity, racial diversity, etc. It did in fact start more than one conversation with my four-year-old daughter about being the only one, so it is a good conversation starter. And her preschool class had fun thinking of things that they were "The Only One" of.
All in all, I was surprised by this book. I am so used to having intense, demonstrative discussions with kids about the different holidays that I forget that sometimes simple concepts make the strongest impressions.
Warning: If you are like me, and do not consider being a twin to be something you are "the only one" of, then I recommend you avert your eyes during that part of the book!!
April 5, 2020
The message... each child is special in a unique individual way.
Jennifer is the only one who is Jewish.
Olivia Raven is the only one whose last name is a bird.
Niki and Nina are the only identical twins... wait a minute... there are two of you, therefore you are NOT The Only One, you are The Only Two...
My rating - ONLY ONE star.
I read this book as an illustrated e-book during the Covid-19 quarantine.
Jennifer is the only one who is Jewish.
Olivia Raven is the only one whose last name is a bird.
Niki and Nina are the only identical twins... wait a minute... there are two of you, therefore you are NOT The Only One, you are The Only Two...
My rating - ONLY ONE star.
I read this book as an illustrated e-book during the Covid-19 quarantine.
March 12, 2009
Jennifer decides to start a club for herself, The Only One Club, because she is the only child in her class who is Jewish. The other children want to join as well, because they are the only one of other things (red hair, pet lizard, etc.). Jennifer realizes that everyone is unique and decides to invite everyone to her club.
December 6, 2020
Many years ago we received a book called “The Only One Club” courtesy of the PJ Library, a wonderful program that distributes free books to Jewish children. The Only One Club, written by Jane Naliboff, tells the story of a little girl named Jennifer who is the only one in her class who doesn’t celebrate Christmas.
When the teacher announces that the class is going to make Christmas decorations, Jennifer raises her hand and tells the teacher that she celebrates Chanukah.
This book has given my daughters some tools to deal with the disappointment she feels that she has no Elf in her house, and that we won’t be taking any photos with Santa. She knows that she is special. And not just because she will be eating latkes this holiday season.
https://www.chambanamoms.com/2012/12/...
When the teacher announces that the class is going to make Christmas decorations, Jennifer raises her hand and tells the teacher that she celebrates Chanukah.
This book has given my daughters some tools to deal with the disappointment she feels that she has no Elf in her house, and that we won’t be taking any photos with Santa. She knows that she is special. And not just because she will be eating latkes this holiday season.
https://www.chambanamoms.com/2012/12/...
December 30, 2022
I really wanted to like this, I remember being the only Jewish kid in elementary school. (And possibly through high school, I'm still pissed my public high school Spanish teachers got to assign us projects like write what you would bring the christ child.)
I mean, it's nice that she's not bothered, even for a minute, about being so singled out but the book feels so dated, and while including all the kids is good, it'd be nice if they were also things that can make kids left out, not random things or superlatives.
I mean, it's nice that she's not bothered, even for a minute, about being so singled out but the book feels so dated, and while including all the kids is good, it'd be nice if they were also things that can make kids left out, not random things or superlatives.
February 26, 2019
awesome book on inclusion
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 16, 20233.5
January 22, 2024
Each child is unique
August 19, 2020
Ages 6 and up. The story of the only Jewish girl in class making Chanukah decorations on her own. When her friend points out that he's the only kid with red hair, this leads her to discovering that each kid is in some way "the only one." The Only One Club is founded and pride abounds.
July 20, 2012
The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff gives us insight into a little girl's life who is different from the rest. Jennifer is the only Jewish girl in her class, and at Christmas time, she is the only one who celebrates Hanukah. Instead of feeling bad about her differences, Jennifer is proud to be the only one and creates a new club known as "the Only One Club." When other children ask her to be involved and share their unique qualities that make them an "only one" as well, Jennifer has to decide whether or not to allow them into her group and whether more than one person can be "an only one". Jennifer soon realizes that every person in her class is special in different ways and is truly "an only one". Jennifer finds a great way to celebrate what makes each child in her class part of "the only one club" by acknowledging what truly makes them different and special. This book celebrates individuality and the desire of people to be part of something. Naliboff does a great job of helping children look past their differences with other children and helps them realize that every child has something that truly makes them "the only one".
October 14, 2014
During the holiday season, Jennifer Jacobs discovers that she is the only Jewish student
in her class. She is thrilled and so creates The Only One Club, of which she is the only
glittery-badge-wearing member. When her classmates want to join her exclusive club
Jennifer at first resists, but she later realizes that each person is "the only one" at
something. She makes glittery badges for everyone, and distributes them while revealing
the quality that makes each friend "the only one". This book will encourage children to
discover and treasure their own uniqueness and to look for unique qualities in others. We
hope kids will want to make their own Only One Club badges and start these clubs with
their friends.
[Review of The only one club, by J. Naliboff]. (nd.). Flash Light Press. Retrieved from http://www.flashlightpress.com/onlyon...
in her class. She is thrilled and so creates The Only One Club, of which she is the only
glittery-badge-wearing member. When her classmates want to join her exclusive club
Jennifer at first resists, but she later realizes that each person is "the only one" at
something. She makes glittery badges for everyone, and distributes them while revealing
the quality that makes each friend "the only one". This book will encourage children to
discover and treasure their own uniqueness and to look for unique qualities in others. We
hope kids will want to make their own Only One Club badges and start these clubs with
their friends.
[Review of The only one club, by J. Naliboff]. (nd.). Flash Light Press. Retrieved from http://www.flashlightpress.com/onlyon...
April 26, 2015
The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff, illustrated by Jeff Hopkins – Really cute story with a girl realizing she’s not the only one who has differences. I appreciate how she changes her actions to include others.
January 4, 2010
This book works well on two levels: as a Hanukkah book for holiday storytimes, as well as a delightful story about how everyone is unique in different ways.
September 23, 2012
The book that made Molly change her name to "Jennifer" each time we play school.
May 19, 2014
I like that she is Jewish and sets up a only one club! Every one in it is the only one of something!
December 16, 2014
We read this aloud every December.
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October 1, 2018Subject: Individuality -- Juvenile fiction
Jewish children -- Juvenile fiction
Schools -- Juvenile fiction
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This book briefly mentions Christmas and Hanukkah. However, it is not the focus of the book.
Jewish children -- Juvenile fiction
Schools -- Juvenile fiction
---------------
This book briefly mentions Christmas and Hanukkah. However, it is not the focus of the book.
Read
January 9, 2019I strongly recommend this book for its readability and its high-quality treatment of a difficult subject. Read the full review.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews