The Maccabee Kids

In ancient Israel, a Jewish brother and sister want nothing more than to share their mother's honey cakes with the Maccabee fighters who teach them how to rely on God to make it through life's challenges. But they risk capture by occupying Syrian soldiers, who bully them simply for being Jewish. Will they be caught, or will they manage to reach the Maccabee encampment safely?

In ancient Israel, a Jewish brother and sister want nothing more than to share their mother's honey cakes with the Maccabee fighters who teach them how to rely on God to make it through life's challenges. But they risk capture by occupying Syrian soldiers, who bully them simply for being Jewish. Will they be caught, or will they manage to reach the Maccabee encampment safely? Neil Heilpern deftly blends history, spirituality, and basic tenets of human kindness into an engaging and informative tale of ancient Israel and the battle for religious freedom that birthed the tradition of Chanukah. This story is relevant any time of the year, not just during the Chanukah celebrations. This adventure story is filled with lessons from that history. The audience for this tale goes far beyond the Jewish community. It is a story with insights about relying on God to help solve all sorts of challenges.

Neil Heilpern spent more than 60 years as a writer and photographer for newspapers and magazines all over the United States and in 17 other countries. During the summer months, he and his wife Veronica traveled up and down the West Coast, entertaining children at county fairs and schools with The Magical Puppet Family, combining magic, puppets and storytelling. Many of his children's stories originated at these fairs. He is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.