Review: Sharing Shalom
Sharing Shalom by Danielle Sharkan, illustrated by Selina Alko Holiday House, 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman Buy at Bookshop.org Based on an actual event from the author’s childhood, we experience antisemitism through the eyes of Leila, a young girl proud of being a Jew. She loves Hebrew School; learning Hebrew connects her to her ancestors, helping her feel she is part of the chain sharing Judaism through the ages. She likes connecting the shapes of the Hebrew letters to related words. For example, the lamed, standing up straight and tall, looks like a leader; the mem with its curves looks like waves of water for mayim. When her synagogue is vandalized she is devastated to learn that she can be hated for being Jewish. Back in her public school classroom, she doesn’t want to be different because of her religion. Trying to be like everyone else, she tucks in her Star of David necklace and stops eating “Jewish” foods. But while trying to blend in, she realizes ev...