2025 Sydney Taylor Notable Book Named a Best Jewish Children’s Book of 2024 by Tablet Magazine "A delightful tale of friendship formed across cultures and generations." — School Library Journal " Having friends with different experiences and backgrounds can be very enlightening." — Sydney Taylor Shmooze "Opens space to discuss antisemitism in a non-threatening way with children and is recommended for all collections." —Association of Jewish Libraries A young girl learns how to be more accepting of others different than herself as she comes to be friends with an octogenarian Russian immigrant who wants to learn Hebrew with her father and finally celebrate the bar mitzvah it was too dangerous to have when he was a boy in the Soviet Union. Sarah often listens when her father tutors students for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. She enjoys hearing the boys and girl learn Hebrew and sing. When a new student arrives, a wrinkled man named Mr. Katz, Sarah is confused. He is older than 13. Much older. How can he have a Bar Mitzvah? Why do his hands shake and sometimes he forgets his book? But Mr. Katz has a beautiful voice and he likes watching birds with her. As Sarah and Mr. Katz slowly become friends, she learns about former Soviet Union, where he was born. It was dangerous to be Jewish there, but after immigrating to America and meeting Sarah's family, he has a new chance to have his Bar Mitzvah, even at 81 years young. Inspired by the life experiences of the author's own grandfather, a Russian Jewish immigrant himself. "Kornblatt’s latest picture book offers a delightful tale of friendship formed across cultures and generations. Sarah enjoys listening as her father tutors students for their bat or bar mitzvahs. One night, a new student arrives and Sarah is confused because he is much older than 13! Despite his shaky hands and wrinkled skin, Mr. Katz is kind, and a magnificent singer. A shared love of music and birds closes the gap between Sarah and Mr. Katz and an unlikely friendship forms. He shares about his life in the former Soviet Union, and how dangerous it was to be Jewish there. Moving to the United States has given him the freedom to live in his faith and finally celebrate his bar mitzvah. Inspired by the true experience of Kornblatt’s grandfather, this book is a great example of how understanding and compassion can lead to friendship. Young readers will relate to Sarah’s growth as she learns patience and understanding with Mr. Katz. Regan’s bright and beautiful illustrations work in perfect harmony with the text. A mix of ink, watercolor, pencils, and crayons combine to create warm and engaging images that bring the story to life. Gorgeous featuring bird imagery represent Mr. Katz’s journey to freedom. VERDICT An inspiring story of intergenerational friendship, recommended for libraries everywhere." —Elizabeth Blake, School Library Journal "Sarah struggles to connect with Mr. Katz, an elderly man who becomes one of her father's bar mitzvah students. His hands tremble, he spills tea and is forgetful, and Sarah is rude and abrupt to him. But eventually, through his patience, friendship results. Sarah loves his beautiful singing voice and hearing about his journey to religious freedom, both themes carried by songbirds interspersed in the artwork, first caged, then free. Birds in the stained-glass sanctuary windows dominate the final full page spread where we see Mr. Katz fulfilling his dream of finally becoming a bar mitzvah at the age of 81, a joy denied by Russian religious persecution when he was a child. Nanette Regan's mixed media art brings the story to life with details enhancing a liberal Jewish style of observance and characters of diverse skin tones. Through the art, we have kippot and tallit wearing males and females and females having aliyot . We find " bet " and " vet " floating in the background highlighting the pronunciation difference between the 2 cultures. Back matter tells us the story is based on the author's life. His grandfather immigrated from Russia and became a bar mitzvah tutor, and the author became a bar mitzvah tutor as well. Then his children had the opportunity to befriend one of the author's elderly students just as the book's character does. We are given a brief outline of Jewish migration from Russia to here as well as encouragement to seek friends of different backgrounds, a timely valuable reminder. This book opens space to discuss antisemitism in a non-threatening way with children and is recommended for all collections."— Association of Jewish Libraries "Mr. Katz and Me is wonderful story about friendship. Sarah is the daughter of a b’nai mitzvah tutor. Her father lets her listen in as he tutors the many students who come through their home preparing for their special day. When a new student comes for his first lesson, Sarah is surprised to see he is an older man. At first Sarah is not very understanding or friendly to Mr. Katz. As the lessons continue Sarah