How I came to write this book

"Forgiveness is one of the main themes of the Rosh Hashana holiday, and Sophie finds herself needing to dish some out to her newly arrived cousin Sasha from Russia. Their fun together has soured, and she accuses Sasha of stealing her father's heirloom ram's horn, the shofar, to get even with her for scolding him. But the culprit turns out to be another, and the children's friendship is repaired in time for the whole family to hear the piercing call of the horn in the synagogue. A worthwhile story that manages to include many of the important holiday customs...this is a a good book for discussing important issues."
Children's Literature

"The delightful Mrs. Manushkin brings us the tale of Sophie, a young suburban girl who learns the meaning of forgiveness when she finds herself in a High Holy Day rift with her Russian cousin Sasha. In clear writing that is sweet but not sappy, Ms. Manushkin touches on the major themes of Rosh Hashana in a manner that is instructive for children learning about the holiday for the first time. Rosalind Charney Kaye's cheery illustrations, drawn with simple lines and color combinations, animate the pages, carrying the reader along through this tale of forgiveness and helping to introduce children to the holiday's traditions."
The Forward