Every morning Sara watches the street outside her window, noticing an old man who takes bruised fruit from the free bin. Grandma explains he is probably poor, so Sara begins adding her own donations: sandwiches, drinks, and Hanukkah cookies. Later, after services at their synagogue, Sara and her family are introduced to the man (Morris Berger) and invite him to a Hanukkah Shabbat dinner at their house. Despite the holiday-themed title, Adler's gentle story is mostly about the Jewish custom of tzedakah, giving to the poor. Sara involves her teacher and classmates in her charitable efforts, and Adler subtly makes the point that recipients like to feel that they, too, can contribute, as Morris does when he teaches Sara to juggle. Ebbeler's richly hued artwork is filled with details of Sara's home, classroom, and neighborhood, and a note to families explains more about Hanukkah customs. Pair with Linda Heller's How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter inside a Tiny Blue Box (2011).

K-Gr 2 When young Sara sees an elderly man taking some free bruised fruit from outside a shop, her grandmother explains that he's probably poor and is willing to eat around the bad spots. This act leads seamlessly into a story that focuses as much on acts of charity ( tzedakah ) as it does on the celebration of Hanukkah. Sara and her family begin to leave their own offerings where the man can find them, including a menorah, candles, and Hanukkah cookies with sprinkles. As they get to know him, he goes from being a poor stranger to a welcome member of their community, with his own gifts to share. Aside from an abrupt ending, the text is smoothly written and avoids sounding didactic. Large illustrations have a friendly, cartoonish quality that will carry well for group read-alouds. Includes a note about the meaning and celebration of Hanukkah. VERDICT Recommended for anyone looking to spark a discussion about helping those less fortunate, particularly during the holidays. Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library