Letters from Rifka
Author: Karen Hesse
Book Review by Emma
Summary
Rifka is a young Jewish girl that is going from Russia to the United States with her family. She is a Jewish girl and the story is during WWII. It is a story of their travels and the story is told by letters to her cousin who stayed behind in Russia.
Favorite Character: Rifka
She is my favorite because she has to face problems but she can get through them.
Three Reasons I like it:
1. It by Karen Hess
2. She’s a good character
3. It was about what we were learning about in school
From the book:
“I have been thinking, Tovah. To turn my back on the part of me that is Russian is impossible. I am Jewish, yes, but I am Russian too. I am both Jewish and Russian. And I am also more. I am so much more.”
Age group that would like it:
Girls 10 and up.
Out of five Yellow Houses I give this book:
Keep scrolling for Miriam’s Review of: Out of the Dust
Out of the Dust
Author: Karen Hesse
Book Review by Miriam
Summary
Billie Jo is a young girl growing up in Oklahoma during the dust bowl. She loves to play the piano but a tragic accident happens that keeps her from playing. She tries anyway and the story is about her family’s struggle to survive in a very hard time.
Favorite Character: Billie Jo
She is my favorite because she goes through very hard times but she still loves her family.
Three Reasons I like it:
1. I like to play the piano too
2. I can relate to the story (and she loves to eat apples!)
3. There is a pretty good ending.
From the book:
“And I know now that all the time I was trying to get
out of the dust,
the fact is,
what I am,
I am because of the dust.
And what I am is good enough.
Even for me.”
Age group that would like it:
Anyone 11 and up.
Out of 5 Yellow Houses I give this book:
What’s familyness like for you?
*More on The Book Shelf here.
4 Comments
These photos are beautiful, and I love that you used the Karen Hesse novels as inspiration! Your girls are wonderful students and I am thrilled to be able to teach them. 🙂
Thank you, Mrs. Cauble! They girls adore being in your class! And I love that you gave them such a priceless opportunity to meet Karen Hesse. It was such a memorable experience. 🙂
I love these book reviews and the beautiful photo’s of the girls dressed as the characters. These books sound like good uplifting books. I plan on reading them.
Miriam thought that Out of the Dust was a pretty sad book but she enjoyed it. I do think they are great books to read because the characters and the story are so good.