L'Chaim!: To Jewish Life in America: Celebrating from 1654 Until Today - Hardcover

Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of many acclaimed books for children on creative figures, among them Degas, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Steven Spielberg. Her biography of Margaret Bourke-White was named ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children. She lives in Malibu, California.

Grade 5 Up - A beautifully produced and illustrated book. Rubin focuses on particular individuals to show how European immigrants have found ways to be both Jewish and American. Though there are some experiences that reflect the tension between the religious and the secular world, the tone of the book is upbeat. The author does not provide a history, but uses a series of vignettes connected by a basic chronological narrative. For instance, the chapter "Jews in the American Revolution" focuses on Haym Salomon and does not discuss general Jewish attitudes toward the Revolution, or ideas about Jews that were held by members of the Revolutionary movement. Rubin is meticulous in her use and crediting of quotations, and they contribute to the text's liveliness and immediacy. Some of the most interesting vignettes are about Jewish cowboys and pioneers. The illustrations include paintings, photographs, and maps. Artifacts from the Jewish Museum are shown and matched to the text in terms of period, but they do not always relate to or amplify the narrative. Although Rubin attempts to show the diversity of American Jewry by focusing on African-American Jews and an Iranian Jew, one noticeable omission is feminism and its impact on Jewish life in America. L'Chaim is more likely to enjoy success as a gift book rather than as a resource for research. It could, however, be a jumping-off point for more serious reading, especially if students use the extensive bibliography, which has useful notations for adult books that are appropriate for younger readers. - Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
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