Patricia Polacco

A wonderful book of sharing the terrible way in which the Nazis Jews living in Russia a short time to get out of the country.
As usual, Polacco weaves real life experiences of her family into her writings and, while her illustrations are not soft and beautiful, I've read so many of her books that I've grown to enjoy her artistry.

This tells the tale of a loving community of Jews who had to suddenly vacate their homes and take only enough room for a small amount of possessions to fit in a cart. The Blessing Cup was very carefully packed so as not to break the family heirloom.

The tea set was given to her great grandmother from an aunt in Minsk. The note inside the package said it was a gift for her marriage elebration. Anyone who drank from the tea cups would experience the magic of blessings from God. They will never know a day of hunger. Their lives would always have flavor and they would know love and joy...and never be poor.

Sadly, while the tea set was stunningly beautiful, and held special significance, the items promised did not come true. Life was exceeding difficult for Jews. I think of how difficult it would be making decisions of what is so special that it has to be included in the cart that was used to carry them away from their community in Russia.

Polacco's Great Grandmother, Great Grandfather, and their two children left in haste, saying sad goodbyes to those they loved and were leaving, knowing most likely to never see again.

Enroute, Patricia's Great Grandfather became very ill. They were taken in by a very kind doctor who shared his fine home. He not only housed them at great personal risk, but to save their lives, he sold a very precious persian rug to purchase traveling papers so they could cross the border safely, and arranged passage on a ship to take them to America. The evening before they left, the precious tea set was taken out for all to celebrate blessings. And, the tea set, except for one tea cup was given to the doctor as a supreme act of thanks for all that was done for them.

The cup was then passed down to the next generation and remained in the family and called "The Blessing Cup" because of the shared blessings.

In 1962, Patricia's mother gave the blessing cup to her on her weddding day. She kept it in a special place, passing on the story of the blessing cup to her childen. During an earthquake in San Francisco Bay of California, the cup was broken evenly in two pieces.
Patricia has two daughters.

This is a beautiful story, and, in reading this book, I was once again reminded of the very, incredible rich heritage of Jewish families who knew the most important thing was the stories and the love that held the family together throughout the terrible years of pure evil hatred.… (mer)

A young boy rebels against piano lessons. His grandfather has a story to tell him abount the importance of learning to play an instrument.

The story toldl by his grandfather is about a young orphan, Jonathan Harker, who plays his ragedy violin to those on the street who stop to listen to him. He becomes accidently stowed away on the Titanic where by chance he meets Wallace Hartlery who is hired to provide music to people on the Titanic. Soon, Jonathan is taken under wing by Wallace Hartley. The story of Wallace Hatley is true. As the Titanic, a beautiful ship, hit and ice berg and was doomed to sink, Wallae Hatley encouraged his men to stay on the ship and play beautiul music as the ship was sinking.

Sadly, the magnificent ship, was dramatically sinking, bravely Wallace Hartley continued to provide music to those who were terrified rearding what was happening, around them some were getting in boats, while others are floating and dying in bitter cold water.

This is a uniquely different book by the author Patricia Polacco, whose previous books were her personal events throughout her life. Patricia Polacco is an award-winning writer who produced many books.… (mer)