R' Moshe Sherizen Returns with "The Easy-Shmeezy Guide to Hebrew"

Are you thinking about visiting Israel or even dreaming of aliyah, but too nervous to commit because of the language barrier? Well, The Easy-Shmeezy Guide to Hebrew is here to solve your problem. In just under 150 pages (not counting the introduction and resources), R' Moshe provides common phrases, grammar and entertainment.

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

The size and layout of this book is the same as its predecessor, The Easy Shmeezy Guide to Yiddish. Both books feature clear categories of common vocabulary and phrases in English, then transliterated and in the third column, translated. This allows the reader to quickly learn not only how to pronounce the word(s), but also how to spell it and recognize it with Hebrew letters.

Again, the size of the book is super convenient. It is easy to flip through and the glossary in the back has both English to Hebrew and Hebrew to English.

Some Details I Liked:

I love that this book includes some basic Hebrew songs for around the year. For some of the songs, I knew the chorus, but never caught on to the rest. These are songs that my daughter comes home from gan expecting me to know, so finally I can sing the whole thing with her!

I also enjoyed the corny jokes. I think that by knowing some jokes in Hebrew, beginners will definitely have an easier time breaking into the language versus just having the basic words and stringing them together.

Who This Book is For:

This madrich l'sfat ha'ivrit is great for beginners as well as any non-native Israeli that could use a brushing up on his/her Hebrew skills. So whether you are visiting Israel or you have an Israeli visiting you, this book can be the key to clear communication.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

Again, these guides are not meant to get you through college in a foreign language. Both the Hebrew and Yiddish guide cover basic conversations and common words. They don't go into depth with medical terminology, for example, nor do they cover how to read any legal contract.

 What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

I think it would be great if this book had some information about the klita process. Like using how to speak to Bituach Le'umi (National Insurance) or a Kupat Cholim (Medical Insurance) as examples. Featuring names of these familiar parts of Israeli life, could be a huge help to anyone who is trying to acclimate into Israeli society.

Another idea would be to put a map of Israel and go through the touring aspect. That way, if someone is coming to visit, they can easily metayel b'golan or b'negev.

In Conclusion:  

R' Sherizen did a great job on this second language guide! If you, a relative or friend are coming to Israel for a short visit, the year or for life, this is a small book that can make a huge difference.

Disclaimer:
I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

Get a Peek into Bina Lobell's Super-Secret Diary

Have you been looking for a simple, but intelligent chapter book for your daughter? Look no further, Bina Lobell's Super Secret Diary is the book for you. Its pages will take you through a couple of months of Bina's complex life in dealing with being homeschooled, sibling rivalry, class politics and trouble with other friends/neighbors. Bina explains things from her perspective, which tends to be somewhat comical.

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

I love this cover! It is designed to look and feel like a diary should. The book actually has a material flap to keep it closed. The enticing fonts, imagery and style of the cover follows inside the book as well. The font is meant to resemble handwriting and is printed in purple. There are entertaining illustrations that appear every few pages.

Some Details I Liked:

The clear font made this book such a pleasure to read and the content was thought provoking. Ruchama Feuerman really got into a child's brain to explain concepts like "Monty Sorry" (Montessori) schooling, as well as various Judaic ideals, like how to react to a bad guest. There is a clear glossary in the back for all potentially foreign terms. 

Who This Book is For:

This book is great for elementary school students and all educators. I think most parents would also gain from reading it. Ruchama Feuerman created a character who is able to express her frustrations, which may seem immature at times, but are classic children's issues. Some of the questions that Bina poses at the end of each chapter are great discussion topics for parents to bring up with their kids in order to gain insight into their life, hardships and celebrations.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

Bina's Diary is probably not going to be something that your older teen will be hooked on. As much as it is "Super Secret", there isn't anything super juicy in it, aside from what Bina's teacher is wearing that day, of course. Although, there is a clear plot with ups and downs to keep the book exciting.

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

The only thing that I think that could have made this book better, would have been direct input from another character. For instance, if the diary was found by someone and marked up or had it been a school assignment and the teacher would comment. But then again, there is always room for a classmate's diary to be a sequel.

In Conclusion:  

It was great reading Bina Lobell's Super Secret Diary. Its a gorgeous book, inside and out, with serious content that put a smile on my face. I loved following Bina's antics and reactions to the events in her life. 

Disclaimer:
I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

Forgive Me - A Family Drama Novel

Forgive Me is a story that of a family feud that spans a few generations. It has great detail in the character development. 

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

As the cover suggests, there is a geographical barrier preventing the forgiveness between the brothers.

This book is set in the US and Israel. The brothers therefore have different lifestyles which the reader gets to learn about.

Some Details I Liked:

I liked that the author speaks about the concept that personality is somewhat genetic, but each person has the ability to mature and act beyond their genetic predisposition.

Who This Book is For:

Forgive Me is a great choice for someone looking for a thick, sweet book.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

This is not a major suspense novel, nor does it have any espionage. Just a family conflict.

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

It would have been nice to get more follow-up on some of the sub-plots, but overall the story has a nice ending.

In Conclusion:  

This is one of those books that you feel like you very much understand those characters that the author intends you to understand and are kept in wonder about the others, which gives the story a realistic and relatable edge, even if you can't relate to the events of the book.

Disclaimer:
I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

Lemonade Girls Forever! A Positively Adorable Book!

Sara Miriam Gross has done a fantastic job in Lemonade Girls Forever! This is a sweet book of short stories about four girls who find a positive side to every event, no matter how sour it may seem.

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

The cover to this book is colorful with an illustration of three girls making lemonade from a bunch of lemons. Its fun and cheerful, just like the content inside. 

Some Details I Liked:

Aside from the great writing style, I very much appreciated the extra detail of having a profile of each girl at the start of the book. The profiles are diverse and that is what gives each story its realistic touch, as the characters are consistent throughout the short stories. I also enjoyed the "Extra Tidbits" at the end of the book, which provide guidance and extra information on topics discussed in the stories.

Who This Book is For:

Although this book is probably intended for young teen or pre-teen girls, it is written smoothly and can easily be entertaining for adults as well. There isn't anything specifically feminine about the stories other than the fact that the main characters are girls, so I think a boy reader would also savor the episodes of the Lemonade Girls.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

Lemonade Girls Forever! is a compilation of short stories, most of which appeared originally in the Mishpacha Junior, but not all. It is a nice size book at nearly 200 pages, but it isn't a novel that will take you through a specific time period and follow up on any conflict mentioned, if that is what you are looking for. 

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

I would love to read the Lemonade Girls Grow Up and follow them through more complex situations. The storylines in this book are amazing, but since the characters are younger, the challenges they face are challenges that younger people deal with. That is great for this book, but I can only imagine how fun it would be if there was a next book... :)

In Conclusion:  

I was so happy to review this book and can't wait to share it with my daughter when she is old enough to read chapter books. There are so many great lessons in each story, making the book a pleasure to read and learn from.

Disclaimer:
I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

Maran HaRav Ovadia - Teacher, Chief Rabbi and Much More...

Wow. That was the only word I could think of when I finished reading the book Maran HaRav Ovadia. In 550 pages (give or take), Rabbi Heimowitz, covers HaRav Ovadia's life from the time he was young through his levaya. 

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

The cover is pretty typical of an Artscroll biography. The spine seems to extend onto the front, but I wasn't sure if that was part of the design or a printing error. Regardless, its a nice picture of the Rishon L'tzion in his glima and mitznefet.

Some Details I Liked: 

It took me some time to get used to it, but I liked that the book was written with a Sephardic pronunciation of words. The extra detail made it easy to relate to what was being said. I loved that the friendly slaps that HaRav Ovadia used to give when he was proud of someone were mentioned in the book. 

Who This Book is For:

I would give this book to anyone that is ready to read about greatness in our time. While there is also a lot of history in the book, I felt that the focus was more about how HaRav Ovadia went through those times. This book has many examples of how HaRav Ovadia was great in Torah, Middot and Yirat Shamayim. The episodes shared are ones that a young child can appreciate and older people can gain a lot from. 

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

If someone doesn't want to open their eyes to the commitment of Sephardic Jews, don't read this one. This book is an eye-opener and should be a lesson to all of us to grow and be the best we can be.

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

I was very impressed with this book and I'm really not sure what could have made it better. The only thing that I can think of, is if it was done in two volumes because there was so much material to cover.

In Conclusion: 

Out of all the biographies that I've read, I felt that this one tops the charts. Between what HaRav  Ovadia went through in life, his travels and different positions for klal Yisrael, to his attitude throughout, there is so much to learn. This is a book that I'll cherish, re-read and share with my loved ones.

Disclaimer:
I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

48 - Stories of the Ways People Acquired Torah Wisdom

I was very excited for another Nachman Seltzer book, as they are generally full of great, well-written stories. 48, however, is not the typical book of hashgacha pratis episodes. It is more of a learning book to use when going through the omer or the Mishna in Perkei Avos (6:6) which lists the 48 (hence the title) ways of acquiring Torah.



Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

It is a clean cover, focusing on the number 48, rather than what it signifies, which are the attributes themselves portrayed through a story for each one. 

Also, the actual hard cover of the book does not have the gold, so it is difficult to see what book it is without the slip cover.

Some Details I Liked:

I liked the fact that the author tried to find a story for each step in acquiring Torah. Not only was there a story, but generally, there was a detailed explanation of what that step is. After finishing the book, I had a much better understanding of the Mishna and a greater appreciation for the various methods in which a person can become great.

Who This Book is For:

This is a good book for teaching or to use in camp. It can be read as a chapter a day. It might also be a good springboard for discussion on other stories that may pertain to the topic.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

This is not for young children. Some stories were graphic and quite scary. Its also not for someone looking for a cover-to-cover pleasure read, as it is more serious.

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better:

A few stories started off with "I had a hard time finding a story for this, so I asked...". I agree that it was probably challenging to find a good story appropriate for the step, but as a reader, I felt that it took away from the flow of the book to be told about the struggle.

In Conclusion:  

The stories are well-written as expected from a seasoned author. The concept of having stories align to a Mishna adds value to the book, but also takes it away from the general audience.

Disclaimer:
I received this book for the purpose of reviewing it, but that it no way changed the way I read it and reviewed it.

Rabbi Yoselman of Rosheim, an Oldie, but Goodie

R' Marcus Lehmann is famous for his historic books that are interesting to read and so educating at the same time. Rabbi Yoselman of Rosheim was a hero in his time and by doing so, he also saved the future of our nation. 

Judging the Book by its Cover -  a first glance review:

The cover seems to connote a fairy tale era. One of knights and royalty. That is when the story takes place, but as much as it was "happily ever after", there is quite a bit of horror in the book.

Some Details I Liked:

I liked how the book tries to be as historically accurate as possible. Obviously we can't imagine the exact conversations, but the author tries his best.

Who This Book is For:

I would suggest this book for young adults and adults that are interested in a lesser known time period in Jewish history. This book discusses how different groups of Christianity had an effect on Europe and its population. It also goes through how the Jews were regarded in various areas.

Who This Book Isn’t For:  

This book is not for younger children who don't understand things like blood libels and crusades. Its important to first know about these concepts and the general diaspora before reading this book.

What I Didn’t Like/Would Have Made it Better: 

Being that the book is so fact based, it sadly doesn't focus on Rabbi Yoselman's family and how he felt going on his missions. It does mention many times what the family is up to or how he was about to reunite with them, but you don't get to know much more than that.

In Conclusion:  

This is a great book to learn about one of the greatest askanim of yesteryear. It also teaches about trust in G-d and that in any situation, you never know who will be the messenger to bring about the salvation.