Book Review: A must-read Chanukah tale by Yvonne David

“The Night Sky Lined with Silver” by award-winning author Yvonne David is poised to become a cherished Chanukah classic for readers aged nine and up. The second book in the Apple Tree Series (though it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone), this heartfelt story follows the Bieman family as they adjust to Jewish life in the Catskill Mountains in 1938. With its rich narrative and historical backdrop, the novel weaves the timeless theme of Chanukah — the triumph of light over darkness—into a tale that resonates across generations.

In Chapter 1, “Winter Storm Warning,” talented watercolor illustrator Robert Sauber sets the scene with an idyllic snowy day where siblings Elliot and Abbie Bieman —12 and 6 years old, respectively — go sledding with their friends Stephen and Martin. Known as “The Bieman Buddies,” this lively group promotes the theme of sticking together (another nod to Chanukah, in both historic and modern times) as they look out for each other’s safety and oncoming cars. While the 1930’s vocabulary is a delightful throwback, the story’s themes and characters feel remarkably contemporary.

The reader is introduced to Uncle Morrie, a beloved war hero and neighbor who cautions the “buddies” to head home before a storm blasts through the hamlet of Mountaindale. After the kids beg for a quick story, they reluctantly heed his advice. (Yvonne David noted that her own father’s stories inspired this tale from the trenches.) When Uncle Morrie gets lost in the snowstorm, the Bieman Buddies and the small village must rally together.

While the book’s eight short chapters unfold in an easy read for late elementary schoolers, there is an undercurrent of the “winter storm” sweeping through the world theatre. I recommend that families read this meaningful book together as they learn about the extended Bieman family and how events in Europe have touched them as war looms. Elliot and Abbie’s aunt and uncle have just arrived in America from Germany, having survived Kristallnacht. 

The timeless Chanukah story shines through as Yvonne David touches on the difficult path of Jewish history, always striving to find the light. On page 17, Elliot shares a hopeful message from his father: “Elliot smiled back. His father, whom everyone in the village called Doc Bieman, had always told him to find the positive in any negative situation. Look for the light. It will help you get through the bad times, he had said.”

Like its title, “The Night Sky Lined with Silver” is filled with silver linings resulting from dark times. Throughout the story, the Bieman Buddies share light-hearted moments and clever, pun-filled stories that will delight readers of all ages. The book is also sprinkled with other history, including references to Jewish baseball hero Hank Greenberg, affectionately known as “the Jewish Babe Ruth.” The portrait of Greenberg in Chapter 4 displays the fine art of Sauber, whose watercolor paintings beautifully enhance the story.

As the story concludes with a “modern” Chanukah miracle (no spoilers here, but this is a children’s book!), the reader is left smiling, basking in the joy and light of the season. “The Night Sky Lined with Silver” is a celebration of hope, family, community, and the enduring power of light.

Note: “The Night Sky Lined with Silver” is a book that keeps on giving. Following the end of the tale, the author shares a short retelling of the Chanukah story, rules of the dreidel game, a Yiddish glossary, as well as numerous holiday recipes. Yvonne David shares that the latke and apple strudel recipes, handed down several generations, came from her mother’s treasured cookbook. 

“The Night Sky Lined with Silver” is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores with distribution through Ingram.