Publishers Weekly
10/18/2021
When Hannah G. Solomon (1858–1942), a white Jewish woman, is asked to help organize events for Jewish women during what is now known as the Chicago World’s Fair, she is both nervous and excited to make a difference. Throughout her childhood, Solomon’s parents had been pillars of their community and supporters of freedom and kindness, helping formerly enslaved people evade capture and opening their home to unhoused people after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. As Lindauer clearly explains, this environment places Solomon on the path to involvement with the conference, where she gathers “America’s outstanding Jewish women” to discuss education and liberty, and forms the National Council of Jewish Women. Moore’s distinctive illustrations have a nostalgic, multilayered quality, overlaying patterns and textures with a fine-lined, majority light-skinned cast and watercolor-and-ink spreads. Solomon’s lifelong dedication toward uplifting marginalized people, especially women and children, will inspire. Back matter features author’s notes, photographs, and a timeline. Ages 5–10. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
This engaging, informative biography casts a well-deserved spotlight on a Jewish woman who achieved much, but is not well-known today. It should be read widely.
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-27
Even as a child, Hannah Greenebaum knew she was destined to spend her life helping those in need.
Her parents were responsible for many milestones in Chicago’s Jewish community, including the founding of the first Reform synagogue. Her father also helped new immigrants find jobs and was instrumental in aiding runaway slaves. Her mother started a Jewish women’s sewing group that made clothes for the poor. As an adult Hannah was the first Jewish woman admitted to the Chicago Women’s Club. She fought tirelessly for women’s advancements against male domination both within Orthodox Judaism and in the general society. From a conference of Jewish women that she organized came the National Council of Jewish Women, an organization that worked directly with people in need and pushed for new laws to address poverty, housing, and education. She also expanded her activism to the women’s suffrage movement. Lindauer presents Solomon’s groundbreaking accomplishments in clear, concise language with great admiration, stressing her persistence and determination. Statements attributed to Solomon seem to be based on her remembrances, presumably from her memoir or archived papers as mentioned on the copyright page, but no sources are cited specifically. Many of Moore’s illustrations have a 3-D effect with black-line sketched backgrounds from which brightly colored foregrounds and people emerge. Solomon mostly appears as a part of groups, with little seen of her emotions or facial expressions. Her spouse, Henry Solomon, appears only in the closing timeline.
An interesting, informative account of a little-known woman of great achievement. (photos, author’s note, timeline) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)
