Mode

kid

parent

Mister Lister and the Two-Way Gift

Ages

9+

It’s going to be tough for Reuven to face a new year at school and his new teacher — especially now that his best friend has moved away. 

Luckily, there’s a new kid in Reuven’s class.  

And there’s something very familiar about him… 

Ages 9+
Pages 152
Publisher Menucha
Coming Mar 2024

Average Rating

11 Reviews
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Reuven is not looking forward to starting 4th grade — his best friend has moved away and he has to adjust to a new teacher. But when Reuven learns that he shares a last name with the new boy, Yehuda, he is hopeful that they might be cousins! When Rabbi Abrams assigns the class a family history research project, Reuven’s Zayde shares the unique and inspiring story of their family name. A deeper understanding of his family helps Reuven make sense of his confusing feelings and all of the changes in his class. This sweet book about a neurodivergent boy will inspire readers to learn more about their family history. 

  • Reuven and his family are observant Jews, and Reuven and his sister attend Jewish day schools where they daven, or pray, at the start of the day. 

  • The family celebrates Rosh Hashanah in shul (synagogue) and at home. 

  • Reuven and his family - including his ancestors - celebrate b’nai mitzvah and observe shabbat

  • Reuven and his classmates learn about the history of Jewish last names, and their family history projects are an example of the Jewish value of l’dor v’dor, or for generation to generation. 

Zayde’s story of their family history includes a reference to the Cossacks forcing older Jewish boys to serve in the Czar's army for almost 20 years with the intention of permanently separating them from their Jewish community.
What the Book Is About

Reuven is not looking forward to starting 4th grade — his best friend has moved away and he has to adjust to a new teacher. But when Reuven learns that he shares a last name with the new boy, Yehuda, he is hopeful that they might be cousins! When Rabbi Abrams assigns the class a family history research project, Reuven’s Zayde shares the unique and inspiring story of their family name. A deeper understanding of his family helps Reuven make sense of his confusing feelings and all of the changes in his class. This sweet book about a neurodivergent boy will inspire readers to learn more about their family history. 

  • Reuven and his family are observant Jews, and Reuven and his sister attend Jewish day schools where they daven, or pray, at the start of the day. 

  • The family celebrates Rosh Hashanah in shul (synagogue) and at home. 

  • Reuven and his family - including his ancestors - celebrate b’nai mitzvah and observe shabbat

  • Reuven and his classmates learn about the history of Jewish last names, and their family history projects are an example of the Jewish value of l’dor v’dor, or for generation to generation. 

Zayde’s story of their family history includes a reference to the Cossacks forcing older Jewish boys to serve in the Czar's army for almost 20 years with the intention of permanently separating them from their Jewish community.