Books with author Eric A Kimmel

Why does a bar mitzvah (BM) happen at age 13? Where did the elaborate rituals come from & how are they relevant today? What does it feel like to experience a BM? Kimmel answers these questions & more, providing historical background, explanations of rituals, & real-life bar mitzvah stories. This is a book not only for every pre-bar mitzvah boy, but for anyone who wants to learn about the beliefs, philosophies, & history of the Jewish religion. Illustrated with woodcuts. ''A thorough well-written account of the ceremony & rituals involved in a 13 year-old boy's confirmation in the Jewish faith. interspersed with fascinating & sometimes deeply moving vignettes in which boys & men of various ages share memories of their own bar mitzvah experiences.''

How does Big Sam make a GIANT-sized challah for Rosh Hashanah?He digs an enormous hole in the ground to use as a mixing bowl. (It's still there today we call it the Grand Canyon.)He adds mountains of flour, thousands of eggs, and other good things.He whittles a massive California redwood tree into a mixing spoon. He flattens the hills of West Texas as he kneads the dough. And he bakes it inside Mount Saint Helens.But when it's time to celebrate the holiday, the eagles call out, "Not so fast, Big Sam!" Rosh Hashanah is about fixing the world, and Big Sam has some MAJOR cleaning up to do.

Every year, just before Rosh Hashanah, the rabbi of Nemirov disappears. The villagers are certain their rabbi flies up to heaven to speak with God before the fate of every soul is decided for the coming year. But a skeptical Litvak scoffs at the villagers, claiming miracles cannot happen, and secretly follows the rabbi early one morning. What he witnesses--an enormous act of human compassion--changes his heart. Readers will be taken to a higher place in this celebration of the power of miracles.Book Details:Format: PaperbackPublication Date: 6/10/2010Pages: 32Reading Level: Age 5 and Up

Harry Weiss—later known as Harry Houdini—is enthralled when the circus comes to his Wisconsin town. He loves all the acts, but his favorites are the tightrope and the amazing trick where a man hangs from a rope by his teeth! Harry and his brother decide to try circus tricks in a nearby barn, and although Harry’s headstrong determination leads him into trouble, it also opens up a whole new world. In this evocative story, Eric A. Kimmel tells how Harry Weiss discovered his love for performing, many years before he became world famous. History Stepping Stones now feature updated content that emphasizes Common Core and today’s renewed interest in nonfiction. Perfect for home, school, and library bookshelves!