Monday, April 9, 2012

Golem

 
 
Title: Golem
Author/illustrator: David Wisniewski
Age:10-14
Award: Caldecott winner 

Golem is a unique retelling of an old myth in Prague. In the year 1580 many people in Prague believed that the Jews were doing terrible things...like drinking the blood of missing children. Locked away and left defenseless, one great Jewish leader named Rabbi Loew used his vast knowledge of the Cabala to create a giant. This giant, named Golem, was created for one purpose only...to protect the Jews from harm. Once the Jews are no longer threatened Golem will become the lump of clay he was to begin with.
Golem proves himself to be a very able defender...but there is one big problem. Golem is growing even bigger and becoming harder to control. The emperor of Prague finally promises safety to the Jews, but only if Golem is destroyed. Golem, however, doesn't want to die. He enjoys flowers and sunrises and passionately begs his "father" not to destroy him. The pictures in this book are very powerful and profound. The dramatic illustrations that this book displays add to the intensity of the story. The cut-paper art is magnificent, giving an almost 3-D perspective to it.  I would use this book only for older age children.  

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