Jane Breskin Zalben Livres

One day a mysterious new neighbor moves into apartment 5B upstairs. Eleven-year-old Alexandria and her best friend Jenny suspect she might be a witch or a vampire. After all, she speaks with a Transylvania accent, brews up concoctions with strange herbs and has a heavy trunk covered with foreign labels. Alex learns that people who are strange or different aren’t always to be feared. In fact, sometimes they can turn out to be friends. "A portrait of an immensely likable sixth-grade girl dealing with the joys and tribulations of growing up while living with loss and learning to accept it." —The Horn Book

This book offers practical guidance on supporting refugees and immigrants, alongside creative instructions for making stuffed bears. It combines humanitarian efforts with hands-on activities, encouraging readers to engage in meaningful outreach while also fostering creativity through crafting. The dual focus aims to inspire compassion and community involvement, making it a unique resource for those looking to make a difference.

Moses Feldman and Mohammed Hassan both live on Flatbush Avenue, but when they meet at the grocery store they quickly become best friends, sharing a picnic while their families prepare for the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan.

"Andrew O. Blechman, aspiring comedian, makes a deal with his downstairs neighbor Lou Pearlstein, a former vaudevillian....The special relationship developed between Andrew and Mr. Pearlstein is especially heartwarming and satisfying. Jokes intertwined in a fictional story with lots of love and affection is sure to be a hit."Nassau Library System"Zalben excels at depicting the rich diversity and fast pace of New York City as a backdrop for an affectionate portrayal of a closely knit family...she succeeds in developing the intergenerational relationship between Andrew and his elderly pal."School Library Journal

The narrative unfolds with the creation of the world from emptiness, culminating in a powerful light meant to complete it. However, the light's intensity shatters its container, scattering its pieces. Humanity is tasked with the quest to locate these sparks and restore harmony, highlighting themes of creation, the pursuit of perfection, and the interconnectedness of existence.