A parent might reach for this book when their child feels like an outsider during the holidays, or to open a conversation about responding to prejudice with kindness. Based on a true story, it tells of two neighboring families, one Jewish and one Christian. When the Jewish family’s window is shattered in an act of antisemitic hate, the Christian family finds a simple, powerful way to show support. Soon, the whole town joins in, demonstrating that community and allyship are stronger than hate. This gentle but powerful book is perfect for ages 4 to 8, offering a hopeful, actionable model for standing up for others and celebrating our differences.
The book deals directly with a hate crime (antisemitism), but in an age-appropriate manner. The violence is a rock through a window, and the focus immediately shifts from the act of hate to the family's fear and then to the community's powerfully positive response. The resolution is deeply hopeful and empowering. The story is rooted in specific religious identities (Judaism and Christianity) but its message of allyship is universal.
Ideal Reader
This book is for a 5- to 8-year-old child from a minority culture who feels their family's traditions are different or unseen. It is also an essential read for a child from a majority culture whose parents want to teach concrete, gentle lessons about empathy, allyship, and how to stand up for friends who are being treated unfairly.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the two-page spread where the rock breaks the window. It is not graphic, but it is startling. It’s important to be ready to discuss why someone would do something so mean. The author's note at the back, which explains the true story this book is based on, is crucial context and highly recommended for the parent to read beforehand and share with the child. A parent has heard their child say, "Why don't we have a Christmas tree like everyone else?" or has witnessed their child feeling sad about being different. A parent may also choose this book proactively to discuss prejudice after seeing something in the news or to teach their child how to be a good friend.
Age Experience
A younger child (4-5) will connect with the core story of friendship and helping someone who is sad. They will focus on the act of drawing pictures to make a friend feel better. An older child (6-8) can grasp the more complex themes of prejudice, religious identity, and the power of community action. They can understand that the 'darkness' being pushed away is not just nighttime, but also hate.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books that simply catalogue different holiday traditions, this book has a strong narrative plot about responding to intolerance. Its uniqueness lies in its focus on *allyship*. It gives children from majority cultures a tangible role model for how to support their friends, making it an empowering story for every child, not just those who feel different. It is based on a well-known true story, which adds to its impact.
Read plot summary
This story follows two young neighbors, Isaac, who is Jewish, and Teresa, who is Christian, during the winter holidays. Isaac’s family proudly displays their menorah for Hanukkah. One night, a rock is thrown through their window, shattering the glass and their sense of safety. Feeling targeted and alone, the family is heartbroken. In response, Teresa and her family draw a picture of a menorah and place it in their own window as a sign of solidarity. The idea catches on, and soon, windows all over town, both Christian and Jewish, display paper menorahs, showing Isaac’s family they are not alone and that the community stands with them against hate.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When the rock breaks the window, the book says Isaac feels 'something cold.' What do you think that feeling was? How did Teresa's family and the town help make him feel warm again?
2
Teresa's family celebrates Christmas, but they put a picture of a menorah in their window. Why was this such a kind and important thing for them to do for Isaac's family?
3
The story says that all the paper menorahs in the windows 'pushed away the darkness.' Besides the dark of night, what other kind of darkness do you think they were pushing away?
4
If you saw a friend being treated unfairly because their family was different from others, what is one small thing you could do to show them they are not alone, just like Teresa did?
