The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol

The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol Book Review

Bibliography
Kimmel, Eric A., and Trina Schart Hyman. The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol. New York: Holiday House, 1995. Print.

Plot

A collection of ten stories tells the tales of Hershel of Ostropol, a light hearted, witty and slightly off-kilter Yiddish man. Hershel lives poorly, with his wife and children, interacting with the other poor people of the town as well as Rabbi and Uncle Zalman. In each story, Hershel is presented a problem (usually something to do with money) and solves it using his wit for the betterment of the poor and often to the detraction of the rich. Many of the stories share a laugh-inciting twist at the conclusion.

Critical Analysis: Eric Kimmel writes with a fast-paced style that begs to be read aloud with animation. From the very first story, where all capital letters signify yelling and the reader can feel the uncertainty facing the innkeepers, Kimmel engages the reader with the character of Hershel of Ostropol. Readers will gleefully follow Hershel's antics throughout the stories' plot, which becomes predictable at times. The symbiosis between the city of Ostropol and characters creates a world that is relatable even in a different time and place. True to the genre, this makes the stories timeless, allowing for them to be told, read, and embellished throughout future time as they were in the past. The appeal of these stories lies in their quick wit and familiar character, and readers will find themselves laughing over Hershel's humorous escapades. Kimmel lists Hershel of Ostropol's sayings, linking the folktale to a real person, struggles and mischievousness included.

Before each story begins, the illustrator Hyman has placed an intriguing pencil drawing of a key part of the action. Rather than giving the story away, these draw the reader into the story and provide motivation to find out what happens based on the action in the illustration. The large type of the book makes it more accessible to younger readers who would find smaller font intimidating without more pictures.

Personal Response

These stories are good for a quick laugh, but reading all of them at once left me searching for some more substantial reading. Kimmel includes a few of the phrases and ideologies of Hershel in his stories, but many of the plot lines are the same train of thought. This train is not ideal; focused on money and trickery, impressionable children may learn that lying is a way to get what you want and money is the most important object you can hold. I would suggest this book for older readers who can use discernment in the theme and appreciate the underlying witty humor of the stories.

Excerpts of reviews
“Ten superbly retold Hershel of Ostropol tales, many of which are unavailable in popular collections.” School Library Journal

“Funny and humane, Kimmel's 10 Yiddish folktales about the trickster Hershel are rooted in the shtetl village community of the nineteenth-century Ukraine. Kimmel says that Hershel was a real character, a wandering beggar, who endeared himself to the common folk by making the pompous and arrogant look foolish. The joy and wit of these stories never denies the daily struggle with poverty and homelessness...” Booklist

Connections
-Research aspects of Yiddish culture and livelihood that occur in the stories, such as the Rabbi or the 'burial society'.

-Have children write about a time when they were a trickster or witty.

-Discuss family members with children and have children write or draw a funny story about their family.

-Read other Yiddish traditional literature, such as:

It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach

A Sack Full of Feathers by Debby Waldman; Cindy Revell, illus.

Shlemazel and the Remarkable Spoon of Pohost by Ann Redisch Stampler; Jacqueline M. Cohen, Illustrator