Raquela's Seder

February 7, 2022
In Inquisition-era Spain, Raquela Rivera and her parents, portrayed with light brown skin, are forbidden by royal decree from practicing Judaism. The family secretly celebrates Shabbat each week in the wine cellar under their house, but Raquela yearns for a seder. Papa, a fisherman, has a plan: forgoing the cellar, they sail far away from land and hold their seder in safety at sea, drawing “a small bowl of salt water” up into the boat. As her parents tell the Passover story, inset images portray the Exodus, and Raquela feels a kinship to the family’s ancestors in Egypt, who endured hardships and gained freedom by another, miraculous, encounter with the sea. Stein’s premise is lyrically illustrated in Ugolotti’s atmospheric art: the little boat is illuminated by a huge full moon, and the family celebrates accompanied by starry skies and undulating waves in shades of greens and blues. Back matter includes a historical note. Ages 5–9.

Starred review from January 1, 2022

K-Gr 3-Raquela and her family must practice their Jewish faith in secret under the reign of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain. On Friday evenings, for instance, the family, all of whom have brown skin and dark hair, retreats to the privacy of their cellar to light candles and observe Shabbat. Raquela's papa is an accomplished fisherman who describes the secret to his success to his daughter: one has to be smarter than a fish, and the best way to do that is to think like one. Raquela longs to share a Passover seder with her parents, which gives her papa an idea. After baking matzah and gathering the necessary supplies, the family sails out to papa's secret fishing spot at sundown, where he explains the symbolism of the foods and the history of Passover. Stein's text is both accessible and engaging for young readers, expertly weaving the distinct historical time periods together with simple, gentle language. Ugolotti's colorful illustrations delicately capture the fear and optimism experienced by the Jewish people leaving Egypt for freedom during the first Passover, as well as Raquela and her family practicing their faith in secret, generations later. Back matter includes a historical note on the Spanish Inquisition and further information about Passover. VERDICT Thoughtful and tender, this beautiful story of hope is a valuable addition to all collections.-Olivia Gorecke

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