Rachel’s Secret by Shelly Sanders
ISBN: 978-1-926920-37-5
Sanders, S. (2012). Rachel’s secret. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press.
Plot Summary
Rachael is Jewish and Mikhail is Christian, but that has not stopped their friendship. They both enjoy skating on the frozen pond during winter and talking with their friends. On the same evening Mikhail kisses Rachel, he is murdered. The only witness is Rachel, who had forgotten her scarf and returned to collect it. She sees the murder, and hears Mikhail call them Uncle and Cousin. Too afraid to tell anyone, Rachel races home and mourns in private. When word of the murder gets out, the Christian community is outraged, and turns against the Jews. They claim Mikhail was murdered because the Jews need blood to make their unleavened bread, a blood murder. Local newspapers fuel the hatred, and propaganda is everywhere. Even the police are blaming the Jews despite there being no evidence against them. Rachel and Sergei, Mikhail’s friend, meet in secret and Rachel finally admits she saw Mikhail’s uncle and cousin. Sergei tells his police chief father, but he doesn’t care. Tensions escalate until riots break out, and many others are murdered. Rachel knows the information she carries can stop the riots, but if no one will listen to her, the knowledge is useless.
Critical Evaluation
Based on true events of Christian and Jewish riots and pogroms in early 20th century Russia, Rachel’s Secret explores the reasons behind one such event. While a compelling narrative, Rachel and Sergei’s relationship seems quickly forced to suit the purposes of the novel. Mere acquaintances one day and serious confidants just weeks later is not realistic. Additionally, Sergei has been raised in a deeply anti-Semitic household and is rather daring to defy his father and upbringing. Students unfamiliar with the threads of anti-Semitism throughout the centuries will find themselves confused with the level of violence and hatred perpetrated against a group of people. Even those knowledgeable about the events still find unanswered questions about why the Jewish people were so reviled. The violence of the pogroms will startle some readers especially because they were unprovoked. Murder takes place where children can witness and hear. The decimation afterwards is truly heartbreaking, and the lives of so many have been damaged forever. Characters with hopes and dreams in the first chapter are now desolate and broken, their dreams banished forever. Rachel and her family will be safe in the United States, but what about all those who must stay behind? Only family will remember the lives that have been taken. The lives that have been ruined have no other recourse but to stay where they are, or move to another area and hope anti-Semitism is not as rampant.
Reader’s Annotation
After witnessing the murder of her Christian friend Mikhail, Rachel sees her town crumble under anti-Jewish propaganda.
About the Author
Rachel’s Secret is Shelly Sander’s first book and is currently in its third printing. Sanders’s novel has been recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards and the Association of Jewish Libraries. She has completed a second novel and is waiting to hear from her publisher, and is writing her third. Before turning to novel writing, Sanders was a freelance writer for fourteen years for the Toronto Star, Reader’s Digest, Maclean’s, and Canadian Living. Rachel’s Secret is inspired partly by her grandmother’s experiences as a Russian Jew who escaped to Shangahi.
Shelly Sanders was born in Toronto, Ontario, but moved to Illinois when she was eight. Her family moved frequently, never staying more than two years. As an adult Sanders returned to Canada and attended the University of Waterloo earning an Honours Degree in English. She continued to Ryerson University with a degree in Journalism. For the next few years, Sanders worked in public relations until the birth of her first child. Sanders has been married for over twenty years, has three children, and four pets.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Jewish history
Women in Russia
Booktalking
Consequences of keeping secrets.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Though historical fiction, the themes presented including anti-Semitism and ethnic riots may be possible challenge issues.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I needed more historical fiction novels and also felt this was an important historical time period.
Others in the Series
Rachel's Promise (Book #2 Released Fall 2013)
Rachel Book #3 (Released 2014)
References
Sanders, S. (2013). About shelly sanders. Retrieved from http://www.shellysanders.com/about-shelly-sanders
ISBN: 978-1-926920-37-5
Sanders, S. (2012). Rachel’s secret. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press.
Plot Summary
Rachael is Jewish and Mikhail is Christian, but that has not stopped their friendship. They both enjoy skating on the frozen pond during winter and talking with their friends. On the same evening Mikhail kisses Rachel, he is murdered. The only witness is Rachel, who had forgotten her scarf and returned to collect it. She sees the murder, and hears Mikhail call them Uncle and Cousin. Too afraid to tell anyone, Rachel races home and mourns in private. When word of the murder gets out, the Christian community is outraged, and turns against the Jews. They claim Mikhail was murdered because the Jews need blood to make their unleavened bread, a blood murder. Local newspapers fuel the hatred, and propaganda is everywhere. Even the police are blaming the Jews despite there being no evidence against them. Rachel and Sergei, Mikhail’s friend, meet in secret and Rachel finally admits she saw Mikhail’s uncle and cousin. Sergei tells his police chief father, but he doesn’t care. Tensions escalate until riots break out, and many others are murdered. Rachel knows the information she carries can stop the riots, but if no one will listen to her, the knowledge is useless.
Critical Evaluation
Based on true events of Christian and Jewish riots and pogroms in early 20th century Russia, Rachel’s Secret explores the reasons behind one such event. While a compelling narrative, Rachel and Sergei’s relationship seems quickly forced to suit the purposes of the novel. Mere acquaintances one day and serious confidants just weeks later is not realistic. Additionally, Sergei has been raised in a deeply anti-Semitic household and is rather daring to defy his father and upbringing. Students unfamiliar with the threads of anti-Semitism throughout the centuries will find themselves confused with the level of violence and hatred perpetrated against a group of people. Even those knowledgeable about the events still find unanswered questions about why the Jewish people were so reviled. The violence of the pogroms will startle some readers especially because they were unprovoked. Murder takes place where children can witness and hear. The decimation afterwards is truly heartbreaking, and the lives of so many have been damaged forever. Characters with hopes and dreams in the first chapter are now desolate and broken, their dreams banished forever. Rachel and her family will be safe in the United States, but what about all those who must stay behind? Only family will remember the lives that have been taken. The lives that have been ruined have no other recourse but to stay where they are, or move to another area and hope anti-Semitism is not as rampant.
Reader’s Annotation
After witnessing the murder of her Christian friend Mikhail, Rachel sees her town crumble under anti-Jewish propaganda.
About the Author
Rachel’s Secret is Shelly Sander’s first book and is currently in its third printing. Sanders’s novel has been recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards and the Association of Jewish Libraries. She has completed a second novel and is waiting to hear from her publisher, and is writing her third. Before turning to novel writing, Sanders was a freelance writer for fourteen years for the Toronto Star, Reader’s Digest, Maclean’s, and Canadian Living. Rachel’s Secret is inspired partly by her grandmother’s experiences as a Russian Jew who escaped to Shangahi.
Shelly Sanders was born in Toronto, Ontario, but moved to Illinois when she was eight. Her family moved frequently, never staying more than two years. As an adult Sanders returned to Canada and attended the University of Waterloo earning an Honours Degree in English. She continued to Ryerson University with a degree in Journalism. For the next few years, Sanders worked in public relations until the birth of her first child. Sanders has been married for over twenty years, has three children, and four pets.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Jewish history
Women in Russia
Booktalking
Consequences of keeping secrets.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Though historical fiction, the themes presented including anti-Semitism and ethnic riots may be possible challenge issues.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I needed more historical fiction novels and also felt this was an important historical time period.
Others in the Series
Rachel's Promise (Book #2 Released Fall 2013)
Rachel Book #3 (Released 2014)
References
Sanders, S. (2013). About shelly sanders. Retrieved from http://www.shellysanders.com/about-shelly-sanders
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