Author: Tamar Meir holds degrees in Talmud and Jewish philosophy, and a PhD in literature from Bar-Ilan University. |
Illustrator: Yael Albert is an illustrator based in Tel-Aviv. |
Ages: 8-12 |
Grades: 3-6 |
| Read the Reviews! |
| "A gelato shop in Hungary becomes a hideout for Jews
during World War II. Francesco, a young Italian boy, falls in love with ice
cream in every flavor. When he moves to Hungary, to the city of Budapest, there
is none to be found as tasty as what he loved as a child, so he opens
Francesco's Gelato. No Hungarian culinary specialties are on this menu. One day
he encounters a young boy named Peter who shares his passion. After some years
pass, the German war against Jews comes to Hungary, and Peter and his family
are in danger. Francesco, who has closed his shop, now uses it to hide them and
some other Jews. And in the midst of the darkness, Peter finds a special way to
celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights. The author's note informs readers
that, years later, Peter (known as Yitzchak in Israel) petitioned Yad Vashem,
Israel's Holocaust museum, to honor Francesco as one of the Righteous Among the
Nations. It is Peter's daughter-in-law who has written this simple but moving
tale of quiet heroism. The delicately rendered illustrations vary from the
sunny vistas of Italy to the darkness of the hideout. Faces are expressive, and
the scene with hidden families around the hanukkiah (originally molds for
chocolate) is especially moving. An accessible and memorable account for young
readers of one man's humanity during the Holocaust."—Kirkus Reviews |
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