Rabbi Harvey vs. the Wisdom Kid: A Graphic Novel of Dueling Jewish Folktales in the Wild West

by Steve Sheinkin (Illustrator)

Overview

Rabbi Harvey's First Book-Length Adventure and Toughest Challenge

In his colorful career on the Rocky Mountain frontier, Rabbi Harvey has matched wits with a variety of villains—most notably the sweet-faced "Bad Bubbe" Bloom, and the self-proclaimed genius “Big Milt” Wasserman. In this exciting new volume, these two formidable foes team up to try to rid the West of Rabbi Harvey once and for all. The key to their evil scheme: Bad Bubbe’s darling son, Rabbi “Wisdom Kid” Rubin, newly arrived from back East. He’s young. He’s clever. He’s eager to take Harvey’s place. But is he fast enough on the draw—the wisdom draw, that is—to take the town from Rabbi Harvey?

The hilarious, action-packed plot draws on classic Jewish folktales, Talmudic teachings and the timeless wisdom of the wise men of Chelm. As always, Rabbi Harvey protects his town and delivers justice, wielding only the weapons of wisdom, wit and a bit of trickery. He also gets a bit of help from Abigail, the town’s quick-thinking school teacher—a woman, it appears, who just may have captured his heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580234221
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/01/2010
Series:	Rabbi Harvey Series , #3
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	496,399
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Steve Sheinkin is the writer and illustrator of The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey: A Graphic Novel of Jewish Wisdom and Wit in the Wild West, for which he won Moment Magazine's Emerging Writer Award in children's literature; Rabbi Harvey Rides Again: A Graphic Novel of Jewish Folktales Let Loose in the Wild West and Rabbi Harvey vs. the Wisdom Kid: A Graphic Novel of Dueling Jewish Folktales in the Wild West.

Steve Sheinkin is available to speak on the following topics:

• Drawing Comics
• Graphic Novels
• Jewish Folktales
• Jewish Wisdom

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Harvey in Paradise
2. Stump the Rabbis
3. Four Brothers, Two Rabbis
4. Duel on Main Street
5. Wolfie the Wise
6. Rabbi Harvey for the Defense
7. Advice, Wisdom, Miracles
8. The Pretty Great Escape
9. Showdown at Elk Spring

Story Sources
Suggestions for Further Reading

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6 Up—Sheinkin combines dry wit and subtle humor with sepia-toned cartoons to tell the story of an unusual hero. Rabbi Harvey uses no other weapon than his intellect, but it serves him well when he faces a competing rabbi who believes that the town isn't big enough for both of them. In one scene, Rabbi Ruben (aka "The Wisdom Kid") sets up a competing "Stump the Rabbi" booth at the Elk Spring Fair. In another, Sheinkin incorporates both verbal and visual humor as the two men face off in the middle of the street in a scene reminiscent of a classic Western. People of all faiths will be able to appreciate this smart and thought-provoking story, but Jewish readers will be able to understand more of the references to the religion and Talmudic teachings. Translation footnotes are included when necessary, as is an overview of the author's story sources.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

School Library Journal