The Longest Night: A Passover Story

K-Gr 5—This picture book retells the biblical story of the 10 plagues and the Exodus from Egypt from the point of view of a Jewish slave child. Rhyming first-person couplets offer a you-are-there emotional vibe to readers already familiar with the basics of the story. Darkly atmospheric, folk-style acrylic paintings add gravitas and drama. An author's note explains the inspiration for the retelling, and a short glossary defines potentially unfamiliar words. The subtitle, "A Passover Story," and the Seder memories in the author's note, show that the book comes from a Jewish perspective; however, others interested in the Exodus will also find the book useful. While it does not provide enough context or detail to act as an introduction to the story of the Exodus, the emotional angle makes it a great supplement to other more straightforward tellings.—Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL