Beginning reader chapter books that feature Jewish holidays are unique; Rubenstein has created an ongoing series of these.This one is about Purim, the biblical account in which Queen Esther saved the lives of Persian Jews whom Haman, King Ahasuerus’s evil vizier, had ordered to be exterminated. Saralee Siegal, a 10-year-old kid with a secret weapon—her “super-nose,” which can smell “so much more than the ordinary”—uses her gift to save her family from Haman, whom she has accidentally conjured up from the ancient past. Haman, now known as Herman, plots to take over the Siegal family’s Purim celebration by permanently replacing Saralee as her grandfather’s executive assistant at the family’s restaurant, Siegel House. Naalchigar’s black-and- white drawings enhance the plot, and several “ingredients only” recipes are scattered throughout. The only recipe that gives readers an exact explanation is for Hamantashen, the triangular cookies that long ago were named for Haman and his three-cornered hat. The cookies play a smelly yet important role in helping Saralee thwart the Haman’s mean plot. VERDICT This book is likely to be enjoyed more by young readers who are already familiar with Jewish traditions than those who are not. However,the unique theme of Purim will enhance multicultural literature collections of early reader chapter booksand should be considered as a worthwhile purchase.–Cheryl Blevens, School Library Journal*AJL Spring 2023 Holiday Highlights Title* Saralee Siegel and her super-nose return for a fourth story, this time about the holiday of Purim.;Zaide is getting the Seigel House restaurant ready for a big Purim bash, while Saralee is trying her best to come up with the perfect hamantaschen recipe, but every time she tries, they taste all wrong, and odd newcomers magically appear. People like Herman, the new party coordinator, who is not very nice, and a lot like someone in the Purim story....This delightful early chapter book will have readers cheering for Saralee as she stands up for herself, defeats Haman, and resumes her place at Zaide's side. -Association of Jewish LibrariesIn her latest series outing, a 10-year-old Jewish girl has big plans for Purim.With her “super-nose,” Saralee, her grandfather’s executive assistant at their family restaurant, can identify the ingredients of any dish with just a whiff. The Siegel House Restaurant is planning a special Purim celebration, with historical costumes and décor, and, in order to make hamantashen with the exact ingredients used in the original Purim story, Saralee will draw on her special talent. Her entire family helps out with preparations—Zadie, Bubbie, Aunt Bean and Aunt Lottie, Uncle Sam, and even Saralee’s younger cousin, Josh (Saralee’s parents aren’t mentioned)—but a party coordinator has also been hired…one who wears fancy robes and has a strangely deep knowledge of ancient Persia. Saralee’s suspicion grows as he usurps her role and becomes closer to her beloved Zadie. She realizes that her fantastic nasal power is magically bringing aspects of the ancient story to life—could the stranger be Haman, the evil royal adviser who in the story of Purim wanted to destroy the Jews?Slowly revealing the holiday’s origins, Saralee’s energetic first-person narrative story about her eccentric, loving family offers a different approach to one of the most joyous Jewish festivals. The humorous grayscale illustrations show major characters as light-skinned, with some tonal variations.Baking, celebrating, storytelling: The high points of the Purim holiday are here in this amusing series addition. (hamantashen recipe) (Fiction. 7-10) -Kirkus Reviews
