Kaddish for Grandpa in Jesus' Name Amen (Booklist Editor's Choice. Books for Youth (Awards))

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2–This gentle story approaches the subjects of family, grief, and religion as a little girl struggles to come to terms with her grandfather's death. A simple narrative takes readers through five-year-old Emily's thoughts and feelings as she remembers the things she and Grandpa shared and watches her parents and other relatives go through the process and rituals of grieving. Since Grandpa was Christian and Emily and her parents are Jewish (her father converted as an adult), the way each side of the family mourns is very different. Although she and her mom talk about it, Emily doesn't understand why there would be more than one way to have a funeral. After the church service, she and her parents return home and Emily's Dad says he wants "to remember Grandpa in a Jewish way." The family sits shivah for several nights, although it's not named in the story. Finally, when all the ritual is over, Emily confides to her father that she has found Grandpa's glasses case and having that with her is her own way to remember him. The soft watercolor illustrations, done in pastel colors, are a perfect accompaniment to the story. This book is a good vehicle to explain the rituals of death to children.