There was once a baker named Gershon who was a sinner. His sins were the common ordinary, stuff; a few little lies, a broken promise, a temper lost for no reason. But unlike most people, Gershon never regretted what he had done. He never apologized or asked anyone's forgiveness. Why should he? He merely swept the little monsters up and tossed them into the celler. Then, once a year, on Rosh Hashanah, he would stuff them in a sack and throw them into the sea. Why should he bother asking anyone for forgiveness when getting rid of them was so easy? It was only a matter of time, though, before Gershon's bad ways caught up with him. And they did come back to haunt him. One day, as his two children played by the sea, those sins he thought he'd gotten rid of had grown into a giant sea monster Now they threatened what was most dear to him: his beloved children. Was it too late for Gershon to save them from his own mistakes?

Author: Eric A. Kimmel
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 09/01/2000
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.96lbs
Size: 11.57h x 9.26w x 0.35d
ISBN: 9780439108393
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.6
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 48051 / Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year

Award: NAPPA Gold Awards - Winner
Award: National Jewish Book Award - Nominee
Award: Sydney Taylor Book Award - Winner

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/28/2000 pg. 78
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2000 pg. 587
New York Times 09/17/2000 pg. 32
School Library Journal 09/01/2000 pg. 219
Kirkus Review - Children 10/01/2000 pg. 1425
Booklist 10/01/2000 pg. 362
ALA Notable Children's Books 01/01/2001 pg. 1382
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2000 pg. 101 - Superior,Well Above Average
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2001 pg. 101 - Superior,Well Above Average
School Library Journal 08/24/2000

About the Author

Jon J Muth is beloved all over the world for his seven books featuring Stillwater the Panda, whose love and balanced approach to life always serve to make the world a better place for his young friends. Muth's many enchanting picture books include his Caldecott Honor Book Zen Shorts, Addy's Cup of Sugar, Stone Soup, and The Three Questions, which the New York Times Book Review called quietly life-changing. His books have been translated into more than 15 languages and are cherished by readers of all ages. Muth draws inspiration from his life-long interest in Asian Studies, including tai chi chuan, sumi ink drawing and chado, the way of tea.

Muth is also renowned in the world of graphic novels. He won an Eisner Award for his paintings in the graphic novel, The Mystery Play by Grant Morrison. He's partnered with Neil Gaiman on The Sandman: The Wake, Walter and Louise Simonson, and Kent Williams on Havoc & Wolverine: Meltdown, J. M. DeMatteis on Moonshadow and Silver Surfer, and with Stanislaw Lem on The Seventh Voyage which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Adaptation in Another Medium. He lives in New York State with his wife and their four children.

Eric A. Kimmel is an American Jewish author of more than 50 children's books.

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