Bitter and Sweet
Bitter and Sweet by Sandra V. Feder, published by Groundwood Books in 2018, is a 32-page children’s book that explores the emotional complexities of moving to a new city. The story follows Hannah as she grapples with the bitterness of leaving her friends behind and adjusting to a new environment. Through her grandmother’s reflections on her own experiences, Hannah learns that while change can be difficult, it can also lead to unexpected moments of joy.
As Hannah navigates her feelings, she discovers that sweetness can emerge from new experiences and friendships. The narrative highlights themes of friendship and social challenges, illustrating how one can find positivity even in tough situations. Accompanied by illustrations from Kyrsten Brooker, this book also includes an author’s note discussing the concept of bitter and sweet in Jewish culture, enriching the reader’s understanding of the story’s deeper meanings.
Official synopsis Publisher
For Hannah, moving to a new city feels bitter, but can she find the sweetness, too?
When Hannah’s family has to move, her grandmother tells her how she felt leaving the old country — it was both bitter and sweet. As Hannah leaves her friends behind and tries to get used to a new house, she only feels bitterness. Was her grandmother wrong about the sweetness?
Hannah starts to feel better about the move when she sees her new house in the soft light of the Shabbat candles. When a new friend reaches out with a special gift, Hannah realizes that sweetness can come from unexpected places and that she can even create some herself.
Featuring art by acclaimed illustrator Kyrsten Brooker, this story subtly conveys a universal message — while life can be full of challenging moments, sweeter ones can be found and created. An author’s note is included on the concept of bitter and sweet in Jewish culture.
Key Text Features
author’s note
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
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