No Vacancy
Moving away from her best friends, endless babysitting, and constant chores – Miriam’s summer vacation could not possibly get any worse! Luckily, she’s got a plan…
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Content Advisory
Jewish Content & Values
More for You
Positive Role Models
Talk It Over
What the Book Is About
Content Advisory
In a tense scene, Miriam’s brother is found face down in the pool, but he later fully recovers. The motel sign is defaced with antisemitic graffiti and a swastika, after which the community rallies to support Miriam’s family.
Jewish Content & Values
- Miriam puts up a mezuzah on her new doorpost at the motel.
- Miriam and her family celebrate Shabbat with Uncle Mordy, who observes Orthodox traditions. They also attend synagogue, where Rabbi Yael delivers a sermon about the Bible story of Baalam and his donkey and free choice.
- Rabbi Yael and Father Donavan collaborate in interfaith dialogue and projects, including a joint Shabbat dinner.
- Miriam and her family experience antisemitism when their motel sign is defaced with anti-Jewish imagery.
More for You
Hospitality is a profession with deep biblical roots. The patriarch Abraham was famous for his hachnosat orchim (welcoming guests); he even interrupted a conversation he was having with God to welcome some weary travelers. The mitzvah of hachnosat orchim is so central to Jewish doctrine that the Talmud states that those who welcome guests into their home will merit a double reward – in this world and also the world to come (Shabbat 127a).
Positive Role Models
- Miriam tries to help make the motel a success and works to overcome her fear of the water.
- Anton, a guest at the motel, becomes a good friend to Miriam. He's a confident wheelchair basketball player and helps Miriam overcome her fear of swimming.
Talk It Over
When Mrs. Whitley asks Miriam if she would like some bacon, Miriam responds that she is vegetarian, instead of explaining that her family does not eat bacon because they observe some Jewish dietary laws. Why do you think she does that? What would you have said if you were in her shoes?
What the Book Is About
When Miriam’s father loses his job, the family buys a dilapidated motel and moves from New York City to Greenvale, population 512. It’s a huge adjustment: the motel is a money pit and Miriam’s long anticipated summer vacation feels like all drudgery and no fun, especially because her fear of the water leaves her sweating at the side of the pool. Even worse, her mother doesn’t like Maria, Miriam’s new friend and the housekeeper at the hotel, just because Maria wears a pretty cross. Then Miriam hatches a plan to save the hotel, but her conscience begins to stir as she tackles some important questions.
Content Advisory
Content Advisory
In a tense scene, Miriam’s brother is found face down in the pool, but he later fully recovers. The motel sign is defaced with antisemitic graffiti and a swastika, after which the community rallies to support Miriam’s family.
Jewish Content & Values
Jewish Content & Values
- Miriam puts up a mezuzah on her new doorpost at the motel.
- Miriam and her family celebrate Shabbat with Uncle Mordy, who observes Orthodox traditions. They also attend synagogue, where Rabbi Yael delivers a sermon about the Bible story of Baalam and his donkey and free choice.
- Rabbi Yael and Father Donavan collaborate in interfaith dialogue and projects, including a joint Shabbat dinner.
- Miriam and her family experience antisemitism when their motel sign is defaced with anti-Jewish imagery.
More for You
More for You
Hospitality is a profession with deep biblical roots. The patriarch Abraham was famous for his hachnosat orchim (welcoming guests); he even interrupted a conversation he was having with God to welcome some weary travelers. The mitzvah of hachnosat orchim is so central to Jewish doctrine that the Talmud states that those who welcome guests into their home will merit a double reward – in this world and also the world to come (Shabbat 127a).
Positive Role Models
Positive Role Models
- Miriam tries to help make the motel a success and works to overcome her fear of the water.
- Anton, a guest at the motel, becomes a good friend to Miriam. He's a confident wheelchair basketball player and helps Miriam overcome her fear of swimming.
Talk It Over
Talk It Over
When Mrs. Whitley asks Miriam if she would like some bacon, Miriam responds that she is vegetarian, instead of explaining that her family does not eat bacon because they observe some Jewish dietary laws. Why do you think she does that? What would you have said if you were in her shoes?
What the Book Is About
What the Book Is About
When Miriam’s father loses his job, the family buys a dilapidated motel and moves from New York City to Greenvale, population 512. It’s a huge adjustment: the motel is a money pit and Miriam’s long anticipated summer vacation feels like all drudgery and no fun, especially because her fear of the water leaves her sweating at the side of the pool. Even worse, her mother doesn’t like Maria, Miriam’s new friend and the housekeeper at the hotel, just because Maria wears a pretty cross. Then Miriam hatches a plan to save the hotel, but her conscience begins to stir as she tackles some important questions.
