Shlemiel Crooks
by Anna Olswanger
Paula Koz (Illustrator)
Publication
Date: May 1st 2005
Shlemiel Crooks
2006
Sydney Taylor Honor Book, Young Reader’s Category, Association of Jewish
Libraries 2005-2006 Koret International, Jewish Book Award Finalist, BabagaNewz
Childrens' Literature Category "In the middle of the night on a Thursday,
two crooks—onions should grow in their navels—drove their horse and wagon to
the saloon of Reb Elias Olschwanger, at the corner of 14th and Carr streets in
St. Louis. This didn't happen yesterday. It was 1919." So begins a modern
folktale based on the Yiddish community of the author's great-grandparents in
the early 20th century. In original and engaging storytelling, Shlemiel Crooks
introduces young readers to the history of Passover, as Pharaoh and a town of
Jewish immigrants play tug-of-war with wine made from grapes left over from the
Exodus from Egypt. Punctuated by colorful Yiddish expressions, the customs and
language of a Jewish community of another time come alive. Shlemiel Crooks is a
Sydney Taylor Honor Book in the Young Reader's Category from the Association of
Jewish Libraries and a PJ Library Book.
"Shtetl
humor and magic realism come to St. Louis in 1919 in this wry Pesach story. The best thing here is
Olswanger's Yiddish storyteller's voice, particularly the hilarious curses she
weaves into the story. Great
for reading aloud." -Booklist
Hardcover | Paperback
Author Info
After nine years at Liza Dawson
Associates in New York, Anna launched her own agency Olswanger Literary LLC in
2014. Her clients include the New York Times best-selling author Michael Hall
and the Newbery Honor Book winner Vince Vawter. Her first children's book
Shlemiel Crooks is based on a Yiddish newspaper article she uncovered about the
attempted robbery of her great-grandfather's kosher liquor store in St. Louis
in 1919. Shlemiel Crooks is a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and PJ Library Book. In
2011 the Kaufman Center in New York adapted "Chicken Bone Man" and
Shlemiel Crooks into a musical for families, which premiered at Merkin Concert
Hall. The musical is available for licensing from Dramasource.com Anna's latest book for young readers
is Greenhorn, an illustrated children's novel inspired by the true story of a
young Holocaust survivor. It is now an independent film. For more information
please visit http://www.olswanger.com.
You can follow Anna Olswanger on Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
Giveaway
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hardcover copy of Shlemiel's Crooks by Anna Olswanger, please enter the
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discretion – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Shlemiel Crooks
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