The Blessing of the Animals

Description

Should a Jewish boy’s dog receive a Catholic blessing?

Jared is looking forward to The Blessing of the Animals on St. Francis’s feast day at the church across the street. He plans to go with his friend Ian and take his dog, Shayna, to be blessed. But when he brings the subject up with his mom, she doesn’t think its such a good idea. Why? Well, they’re Jewish. Jared doesn’t see this as a problem, but he agrees with his mom’s suggestion to poll four people on the subject, and she’ll do the same. Jared approaches his great-grandfather, his father, a Holocaust survivor, and a rabbi, all of whom give diverse opinions on Jared’s prospective attendance. Its ultimately up to Jared to decide, and readers, while perhaps differing in their views on his ultimate decision, will cheer Jared for making up his own mind in a thoughtful and deeply personal way. This story for middle-grade readers is enhanced by hand-designed chapter titles and full-page pictures by the author.