Jodie's Passover Adventure

by Anna Levine, Ksenia Topaz (Illustrator)

Overview

Young amateur archeologist Jodie invites her cousin Zach on a Passover adventure to explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel in Jerusalem, the famous secret water tunnel. Sloshing through the long, creepy, dark, wet passage, they solve “the riddle in the middle” and find a shiny treasure!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761356424
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2012
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Anna Levine is the author of several picture books and two young adult novels, all of which take place in Israel. She lives in Mevesseret Zion, just outside of Jerusalem.

Editorial Reviews

Interweaving history and adventure, Levine (Running on Eggs) takes young readers on a Passover trip worth pursuing. When Jodie’s cousin Zach visits for Passover, she and her siblings want to take him on a variety of trips to help him see all aspects of Israel. Jodie, in particular, is eager to lead him on an archeological dig through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. With her new flashlight, a Passover gift, and some Passover food prepared, the two of them venture out to the dark, wet, and narrow underground passageway. Intrigued by Jodie’s father’s brainteaser to find “the riddle in the middle,” the daring duo must confront their fears and the creepy tunnel to see their way to the end. Topaz’s illustrations nicely portray the diversity of populations in the Holy Land, and Levine’s plot takes kids to a place where the past and the present converge in exciting new ways. Ages 5–9. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"Jodie's father was an archaeologist of note and she dreamed of working the digs like he did when she grew up. When she found the afikomen she got a flashlight as a reward and was hoping that 'her cousin Zach would help her uncover treasures hidden deep inside the earth.' When Zach arrived it didn't seem like she'd have much of a chance to visit with him, much less do any exploring. Her older brothers Shimi and Eli had their Passover week planned out by suggesting they go skateboarding and biking ... and Jodie was not invited.

Jodie sulked as she rose out of her chair and pointed her finger at the boys and asked, 'Hey, when do I get a turn to be with Zach.' Shimi poked fun at her saying that there was nothing but mutant monsters in those caves, but Zach grew interested when Jodie talked about Hezekiah's Tunnel. She told him all about how Hezekiah was once the King of Jerusalem and how 'He even invited all the rulers of Judea to a Passover seder in Jerusalem.' Would Zach want to go to the tunnel with Jodie and if he did would they be able to figure out the 'riddle of the middle' as they made their way to the end?

Hezekiah's Tunnel or the Siloam Tunnel is underneath the City of David in Jerusalem. Children love a bit of mystery and adventure in books and this tale will encourage many to learn more about the history of Jerusalem and the tunnel itself. Held during Passover week, the story does not specifically talk about the festival, but does mention things such as the afikomen, matzah, and Hezekiah who called upon the people of Jerusalem to keep Passover. This is a fun book that would be an excellent addition to any religious library for the young reader.

Quill says: This is an interesting story about Jodie and her adventure into Hezekiah's Tunnel." —The Feathered Quill

From the Publisher

K-Gr 4—An Israeli girl aspires to be an archaeologist like her dad. Wishing to share her passion with her cousin Zach during his Passover visit, she takes him through King Hezekiah's Tunnel, a buried water passage built in ancient times to keep Jerusalem safe in case of attack. Equipped with a flashlight and matzah sandwiches, Jodie and Zack set off and solve a riddle, find an ancient coin, and have a successful outing. Many picture books about Israel offer a whirlwind tour of famous places, so this more in-depth look at a single site is welcome. The story showcases the excitement of digging up the past and Jerusalem's fascinating history. As in Jodie's Hanukkah Dig (Lerner, 2008), the holiday tie-in is weak and serves as an unnecessary hook; both stories are relevant year-round. The watercolor illustrations are pleasant if a bit static, but do not always reflect the text. In particular, the story describes the children as splashing through a very wet tunnel while the illustrations show them walking on a dry, smooth floor. Nitpicks aside, this upbeat story will appeal to young adventurers, history buffs, and armchair travelers.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

School Library Journal

A Passover family picnic is preceded by a quick exploration of and discovery beneath the ground in the Old City of Jerusalem. During the week of Passover, archeology enthusiast Jodie is eager to escort her visiting cousin Zach on a tour of the ancient Hezekiah's Tunnel, which is famous for its strategic water passages. Zach is initially reluctant, and he imagines terrors as he enters the deep, dark and wet tunnel. "Evidence" of dragons, monsters and dinosaurs is logically explained away by Jodie as mold, shadows and chisel marks left on the walls by the tunnel creators. With the help of a flashlight, the cousins solve the "riddle of the middle" pointed out by Jodie's father at the beginning of their tour. Opaque double-page illustrations move the story from outside the tunnel, where no clear entrance is indicated, through to a wall of markings, supposedly drawn from opposite directions, that show the original tunnel workings dug from two different points and meeting in the middle. Unlike predecessor Jodie's Hanukkah Dig (2008), which wove together themes of bravery and resilience, this story has nothing at all to do with the titular holiday. Ultimately, this attempt to show how archeology can provide answers to ancient history's mysteries disappoints. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews