It is the Depression and Hannah's father has lost his job. They are forced to move from Minneapolis to northern Minnesota where she is the only Jew in her class at school. Her parents are rigorous believers in following the rules and regulations governing the Sabbath. Hannah gets upset when she learns that the fall picnic falls on Saturday and that the students are making plans to be driven to the park for the festivities.
Hannah tries to convince her parents to make an exception and allow her to ride in a car on the Sabbath but they insist that she honor the day of rest and the ways of her people. After much worrying, she comes up with a solution and is gratified to discover the hospitality and empathy of her classmates once her teacher explains her dilemma.
Laura Glaser has written this touching book designed for children 5 through 9 years of age. The old fashioned illustrations of Adam Gustavson vividly convey the Depression era period. Children need more stories like this one to learn respect for religious diversity and appreciation of the rituals of others.
