"Sarah Celebrates Hannumas" is the story of ang child, born into a secular family, who is on a quest to understand her place in an increasingly hostile world marked by religious and cultural strife. Her parents, though raised in the faiths of Sarah's grandparents, Judaism and Catholicism respectively, made the decision to bring up their daughter free from the restraints of religious dogma. Instead, they created an environment for their child that celebrated and cherished the customs and traditions of both their faiths, while encouraging acceptance of the religious beliefs of others.
Sarah is happy in her world and the growing freedom it affords her. She has flourished under the love and acceptance of her beautiful extended family. They are a loving amalgam of many faiths, skin tones and customs. Her grandmothers, in particular, have passed down the stories that comprise the religious history of the family. She has learned the reasons for the holidays she celebrates through their wonderful story-telling abilities. Sarah looks forward annually to the very festive celebrations of Christmas and Hannukah. It is the food, music, decorations and symbolism of the traditions that enchant her. It is a time of family gatherings and togetherness that simultaneously enthrall and comfort her. When Sarah encounters personal hostility in her classroom just prior to the holiday winter break, she is devastated. Even though she is happy to be spending time with her favorite cousin Jodie who has just
arrived with Grandma Esther to celebrate Hannukah, she is saddened by this unexpected school experience. Even the eagerness and joy she felt, looking forward to celebrating Christmas at Grandma Grace's house, has been tainted. While Sarah struggles to find a reason for the incident and to find forgiveness for her classmate in her heart, the reader is taken on a journey with Sarah, discovering joyful celebrations and customs children celebrate around the world.
The title of this book heralds the resolution she reaches in response to her personal dilemma. As in all things in her young life, Sarah is driven by love, acceptance, generosity and confidence as she searches for a solution to her problem. Her very creative compromise will delight her audience. The conclusion forecasts a better world for young readers.
