Mysterious Lopsided Letter

Ellen Schwartz is the author of 19 award-winning books for children, including a Western Canada Jewish Book Award for Friends to the Rescue. Ellen’s children’s books range from picture books through middle-grade novels and young adult fiction and information books. In addition to writing books, Ellen works as a corporate writer and editor and as a freelance magazine writer. She has published hundreds of magazine articles. Ellen has taught creative writing classes for many years at the college and university levels. She lives in Burnaby, British Columbia.Margeaux began drawing constantly from age four, amazing her friends with pictures of people and animals. Her love of picture books came from the many hours she spent before bedtime reading from the collection at her grandmother's house. She studied Graphic Design in school, but is largely self-taught as an illustrator. She lives in New York, New York.

"A trio of friends in 1785 Boston must solve an unsettling mystery.Joseph is often teased about the exploits of his famous father, Paul Revere; meanwhile, Judah Touro is quick to make clear he’s a Patriot, in large part because his late father had been a Loyalist during the Revolution. Judah and his family live with his cousin Catherine’s family, and the three children find joy, acceptance, and fun in their clubhouse shed. Catherine’s father, Moses Michael Hays, invites Jewish families into his home on the Sabbath, as synagogues aren’t permitted in Boston. When printed flyers circulate stating that Moses Hays has insulted Christianity with his unlawful gatherings of Jewish people, the children are appalled and determined to find the culprit. Incidents involving unlikely red herrings leave them no closer to answers. But Catherine studies the flyers carefully, noting the lopsided, slanted “J’s.” When she remembers where she previously saw them, the suspect is clear, but the children must find a way to catch him. Characters speak with just the right syntax for their 18th-century setting, with Lucas’ detailed black-and-white illustrations bringing scenes to life; Schwartz has crafted a fascinating window into the era. As explained in the backmatter, the young protagonists and their family members are based on actual people, and Boston law did in fact prohibit Jews from building synagogues. All characters present white.A thought-provoking and insightful historical mystery."—Kirkus Reviews"In 1785 Boston, Catherine Hays, her cousin Judah , and their friend Joseph Revere, son of Paul Revere, play together in the clubhouse in the backyard of the Hays’ home. One day flyers are posted all over Boston protesting the Jewish services held in the home of Moses Michael Hays, Boston’s most prominent Jewish citizen who is Catherine’s father and Judah’s uncle. The flyers claim the gatherings are “unlawful” and that Moses Hays has “insulted Christianity.” While the grownups are busy discussing what should be done, Catherine, Joseph, and Judah act, determined to tear down every flyer they can find, discover who is responsible, and confront them.Book One in the new Liberty Clubhouse series, this transitional chapter book takes readers on a fast-paced mystery though Boston. It is set in a period when Jews lacked full rights as citizens, without the right to vote, hold office, or even build a synagogue in Boston. Schwartz presents the topics of religious prejudice and religious freedom in a digestible story for readers in second to fourth grade. Young readers will recognize themselves in the characters, despite the 240 years that separate them. Black-and-white illustrations add details of the historical setting and clothing. A historic map of Boston, with the sites the children visit on their quest marked, will help ground readers as well as be fun. Backmatter includes “Fact or Fiction?,” “May I pour you some tea?,” “By the Numbers” (which includes the fun fact that Joseph Revere had 15 brothers and sisters!), “What did kids do for fun in 1784?,” and “Learn to Curtsy or Bow.” This is not only a good introduction to the period, but an excellent way to introduce religious tolerance."—Historical Novel Society"Readers will travel back in time to join three friends in their clubhouse during the early years in United States history. This is an entertaining way for children to learn American history. . . .Using real historical events and people along with creative storytelling, this is a delightful story that will engage children in a history lesson about religious freedom. It highlights the Jewish perspective, which helped bring freedom of religion to other religious groups also.The freedom to practice Judaism in America is the underlying message of this book. Judaism is mentioned but only with references to Shabbat, a Jewish star that Catherine wore, and the kiddush cup that Paul Revere crafted. It is true that Moses Hays held Shabbat services in his house and hosted many dignitaries like Paul Revere and Governor John Hancock. The Jewish people also faced discrimination: Jews could not vote or hold office. It was illegal to build a synagogue in Boston until 1833.The illustrations are beautifully rendered in pen and ink. The simple black and white drawings lend an extra dimension to the story.This is a wonderful book for all readers, both Jewish and non-Jewish. It is a lesson in tolerance. It demonstrates how everyone can be accepting and open to discussion of differences in general. Having an open mind to hear what people who believe differently have to say and being open to changing your opinion is the lesson learned in this book."—Jewish Book Garden"Set in Boston, this transitional chapter book is the first in a new series called Liberty Clubhouse about two cousins and their friend who turn an old shed into a clubhouse and solve mysteries. Although the story is fiction, the characters of Catherine Hays, Judah Touro, and Joseph Revere (Paul’s son) are based on real people. Catherine’s father (Judah’s uncle) holds Sabbath services in his home since it was illegal to build a synagogue in Boston. When the children discover flyers all over town accusing Mr. Hays of holding 'unlawful' gatherings that 'insult Christianity,' the children swing into action. They start removing the hateful flyers and are determined to identify the person responsible for them. Catherine notices that the printing of the letter J in Jew is lopsided and knows she has seen it printed like this before, although at first she doesn’t remember where. The children investigate several possible perpetrators who prove to be innocent. When they finally identify the culprit, the three of them help in reconciling the community, reminding everyone of religious freedom in the newly established United States.The back matter includes an explanation of 'Fact or Fiction?' and other interesting information about life for children in the late 1700s. Detailed black and white illustrations support the text well and include a map of Boston with labeled sites mentioned in the story. This historical fiction series introduces readers to life in Boston in the early years following the Revolutionary War and sheds light on religious tolerance. The book is recommended for synagogue and public libraries."—Association of Jewish Libraries