January 2025
Illustrated by Craig Orback
published by Intergalactic Afikoman
LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW:
K-Gr 4–The remarkable true story of a mother-daughter duo who set out to conquer the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Cheryl Bart introduced her daughter Nikki to mountain climbing at a young age, and their adventures became closely intertwined with their Jewish faith. One of the most memorable moments of their journey occurred during their ascent of Mount Everest in the spring of 2008. They were spending Passover on the mountain and shared the significance of the seder with one of their guides, who was so touched by their devotion that he surprised the entire team with a Passover meal. Burk skillfully weaves together with grace the duo’s passion for climbing and the depth of their spirituality. Detailed, vibrant artwork enhances the uplifting narrative, even if the images feel a bit flat. More information about the mother-daughter team and a short glossary of Passover terms are included. Overall, this is a moving tale of perseverance, faith, and the extraordinary bond between a mother and daughter.
How is this night different from all other nights? For young Nikki Bart, one answer is where she was in 2008: on Mt. Everest with her mother and “surrounded by a different sort of family,” Burk writes. The Everest climb is part of the duo’s quest to scale the highest peaks across continents—a goal that feels both empowering and “sacred” given mountains’ significance in Jewish history. But this year the climb means missing the coziness of their usual family seders—until their Sherpa guide learns of the holiday and surprises them with a full Passover spread. Orback’s drawings, which combine the feel of documentary photographs with a comics-style digital effect, capture both the grandeur of the setting and the deep human connections that define the holiday. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and more about Passover conclude. Ages 4–10. (Jan.)
Downloadable coloring sheets (Click image)
by Arielle Trenk
(illustrator of SHE'S A MENSCH! JEWISH WOMEN WHO ROCKED THE WORLD)
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by Craig Orback (illustrator of Passover on Everest)
