Candlelight for Rebecca

American Girls' holiday books are always my favorites, and this one is no exception. It just has to do with a different December holiday! Rebecca's stern teacher Miss Maloney is quite sure she has come up with an excellent project for her students. Besides, it will give them time off from schoolwork, so why would any student object? The only problem is, the project is a red and green Christmas centerpiece. Rebecca feels intensely conflicted as to what to do, because her family does not celebrate Christmas. She's pretty sure her strict grandparents, at the very least, will object. Her sisters are also feeling conflicted about what they can and cannot do during the holiday season, and want to make Hanukkah extra special this year. The conflict presented is a real one, and its discussion here will hopefully help increase awareness about how to not exclude other beliefs and traditions during the holiday season. Meanwhile, Rebecca is having problems (as always) with her grumpy basement neighbor, Mr. Rossi. He keeps pigeons on the roof of the building, and Rebecca has growing suspicions about what they might be being used for. The ending is a bit predictable, but it's one that is picture perfect for a feel-good holiday story.

Read this book with my 8 year old daughter. We both loved it! It explores an issue many non Christian children face. When Rebecca's teacher has her class make a beautiful Christmas decoration it presents a dilema for Rebecca. Is it Ok to do this even though she does not celebrate the holiday?Is Christmas as some at her school would claim including her teacher,a National Holiday? I don't want to give too much away about the book, but the answer in the story brings home some excelent points. That teachers are not always right. But children do need to respect them and children need to do the work that is asked of them. To be American, one does not need to celebrate Christmas, one should take pride in ones own holidays. The message is also one of peace with our neighbors. This book was very helpful for my daughter dealing with this issue for the first time and Rebbeca is a new favorite character in our house.So glad we found it.