mselke 's review for:

How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch
5.0

I adored this book. Simply adored it.

I loved the main character Mirka and her desire to be a unique person who still loves and respects her culture. She was wonderful. I loved her "Fruma" - stepmother who, in spite of being hard on her, was also a strong, loving, intelligent woman.

I loved the Yiddish sprinkled into the story, with the accompanying quick translations below.

I loved the style of the art - simple and slightly quirky.

This would be a fabulous book to partner up with a viewing of Fiddler on the Roof. (Full disclosure - I was in a production in high school and I'm inordinately fond of the show).

I would be interested in hearing the perspective of any practicing Jews who read the book, but I thought it seemed respectful of the faith while still showing how Mirka rebelled against some of the strictures placed upon her.