The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol

By Eric A. Kimmel

Book Overview

Ten tall tales about a legendary trickster who can outwit anyone--from the team behind the award-winning Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.

Quick-thinking, funny, and always clever, the Jewish folk hero Hershel--based on an historical figure who lived in the Ukrainian city of Ostropol--is one of folklore's greatest tricksters.

In this classic volume by the creators of the award-winning and much-beloved Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, a Caldecott Honor Book and Sydney Taylor Award Honor Recipient, Hershel down faces a stingy innkeeper, fierce bandits, and more, armed with nothing more than his own quick thinking.

Based on tales passed down through oral histories, Yiddish anthologies, and other collections of Jewish folklore, The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol offers a glimpse into the shtetl village community of nineteenth-century Ukraine, and is a perfect introduction to a little-known but much-beloved folk hero.

A perfect gift for any occasion, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Hanukkah, or graduations, The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol will delight all readers who love a clever twist.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823442446
• ISBN13: 9780823442447
• Release Date: January 2019
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.7" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Great ironic tales told so well!

Funny, charming, what can I say? Really love these. My two little ones get a kick out of these. The description from SLJ doesn't do it justice. These are GREAT, hard to find anything that can compare.

A lesson to learn from a tricky man

I read from this book often to my pre-schoolers. Yes, it takes effort to explain and question them until they understand the plot of each story. But they love them so much we repeat each tale many times, until at the end of the school year, they are telling Hershel stories to me! The kid's favorites? The Gooses's Foot (because they relate to Hershel being a small boy) and The Candlesticks (because they like the part where Hershel says the candlesticks died.) Though they are much younger than the recomended age for this book, I have found over the last few years that not a single 4 or five year old has not enjoyed these stories. And without the pictures in most children's books, they are forced to imagine what Hershel, Yente, Rabbi Iseral, and Uncle Zalman look like. We've had nothing but fun with this one!

Very funny!!

This book is very entertaining! It is about a poor person who finds clever ways to get his basic needs met. This book is a good read for young readers like me!!!