by Ione Skye
First published 2014
Ruth and Sammy count the days until their next trip to see their grandparents. The siblings are on shpilkes, waiting to dive back into the rich sounds of Yiddish that fill their grandparents' home. Each visit becomes a linguistic adventure as they discover new words that roll off their tongues. They learn that shvitz means sweat, that feh expresses disgust, and that schmaltz refers to fat. The German and Hebrew blend creates a musical language that connects them to their Jewish heritage. Ruth and Sammy treasure these moments with their extended family, where every conversation teaches them something new about their culture. The sunshine filled days become more than just vacation time. They transform into bridges between generations, linking the children to traditions that shaped their family's story.
Genres: fiction, family, literary-fiction, 21st-century, jewish
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical
Tropes: found-family, generational-divide
Setting: Grandparents' Home
Period: Vacation
32 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)