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Summary
Summary
In Russia, Molly and her mother didn't celebrate birthdays the way they do in America. When Molly's invited to a birthday party, she's excited to be able to taste a pink and white cake. Then something happens at Emma's party that Molly won't ever forget. She knows it's the week of Passover and she knows she shouldn't eat the cake. What should Molly do?
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-The indomitable heroine of Molly's Pilgrim (Lothrop, 1983) is back in another story written with great warmth and feeling. When a new friend invites her to birthday party, Molly, a recent Russian immigrant, is thrilled to learn about all of the American traditions. She is especially excited when Emma tells her that there will be a cake just like the mouth-watering one that they have passed in the bakery window. She is devastated when her mother points out that she may not eat the cake because the party falls during Passover, when Jews are forbidden to eat anything made with leavening. This Passover is particularly special, because it is the family's first one in America. Molly's birthday follows soon after, and her mother helps her to share her heritage with her friends and still be true to herself. Cohen has once again created a moving narrative on a universal theme. The characters are all fully developed and believable-even the annoying Elizabeth does not descend into total stereotype. The charcoal illustrations perfectly capture the mood. Make a Wish, Molly is sure to find a welcoming audience.-Micki S. Nevett, Westmere Elementary School, Albany, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
A worthy companion to Cohen's Molly's Pilgrim , this equally affecting tale follows Molly, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, as she discovers another tradition observed in her adopted American homeland. Here, Molly attends her first birthday party. Entranced by her friend Emma's cake, which is decorated with pink icing and red roses, Molly imagines it must taste ``like clouds.'' But she doesn't get the chance to find out: because it is Passover, her mother has forbidden her to partake of the party fare. Cruelly taunted by her classmate Elizabeth, Molly leaves the party early. Running home, she tearfully asks her mother, ``Why do we have to be different? Why can't we be like everyone else?'' But when Emma, Elizabeth and another girl come to visit on Molly's own birthday, her wise mother demonstrates that being a bit different is just fine as she stages an impromptu party and serves homemade rugelach in place of a ``pink cloud cake.'' Jones's effectively shaded black-and-white illustrations ably convey the emotional depth of this commanding story, as well as the strength of the bond between Molly and her mother. Ages 5-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Molly cannot eat anything at her best friend Emma's birthday party, because it falls during Passover. Embarrassed, she leaves the party in tears. When her own birthday arrives, she receives a visit from Emma and two other girls, and Mama invites them in for an impromptu party with fresh-baked rugelach pastries. A pleasant story about a family recently arrived in the United States who make adjustments to their new life with old wisdom. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
In a companion to Molly's Pilgrim (1983), Molly Hyman--still in third grade and still struggling to adjust to American customs- -attends her first birthday party, only to be hideously embarrassed: since it's Passover, she can't eat any of the elegant cake and is thus exposed to the scorn and prejudice of her nemesis, Elizabeth. But Molly's own birthday, several days later, is unexpectedly happy: there's a surprise visit from the friends she'd feared lost, while snide Elizabeth is put in her place (at least temporarily) by resourceful Mrs. Hyman. Slightly longer and more complex than Molly's Pilgrim, the story is given added depth by totally believable portraits of Molly's strong, level-headed mother and of Elizabeth as a carrier of inherited bigotry, while Jones's misty gray drawings show more mature and individualized characters. Altogether, a worthy continuation of a justly celebrated story. (Picture book. 6-9)
Booklist Review
Ages 6-8. In a companion to Molly's Pilgrim (1983), Cohen offers another glimpse of this young Russian immigrant's life in America. When Molly is invited to a classmate's ninth birthday party, she is pleased to be included and excited to learn about American customs. Then Mama reminds her that the festivities are scheduled during Passover and that as a Jew she is not permitted to eat regular bakery goods during that time. Angry that her background and religion seem to hinder her assimilation, Molly secretly decides to eat the cake anyway. When she is unable to follow through with her intentions, the other girls misunderstand, and Molly leaves the party in tears. Molly's classic dilemma--betraying her beliefs in order to fit in versus loyalty to her ideals at the expense of acceptance--is a poignant one that will strike a chord with young readers everywhere. Although not all children will have the strength to choose as Molly does, they will find this a thought-provoking story that may lead to discussions about friendship, prejudice, and self-esteem. The firmly shaded pencil drawings suggest an early-twentieth-century setting. A wonderful choice for a primary read-aloud. ~--Kay ~Weisman