Golem

Title: Golem

Author and Illustrator: David Wisniewski

Summary: Golem is a story about the cheif rabbi or Prague and his experience making a protector named Golem for the Jews. At the beginning of the story, all of the religions in Prague are fighting. the rabbi is scared for his Jews and has had a vision showing him the word Golem. He decided that he must make a man who would serve as the protector for the Jews named Golem. The rabbi went out with his son in law Itzak Kohen and his student Yakov Sassoon. The rabbi made Golem from clay and wrote truth on his head. Golem protected the jews untill there were too many people in the prison. Prague revolted and formed a rally. Golem attack all of the people and killed many. The emporer demanded that the Jews would stay protected as long as Golem was put to rest. The rabbi agreed and Golem went back into the Earth.

     I was really surprised when I started reading this story. I did not know it was going to be so dark and almost scary. I absolutely love the illustartions. They are made from paper cut outs formed on top of one another. The detail and dark colors really add too the story. After reading the "note" in the back of the book, I learned that this story was a legand. I really liked how the "note" relates the making of Golem to the advances of our technology. I think its important to realize that we can not create life, and if we do it might turn out a little scary, like Golem. I'm not sure if I would ever attempt to use this story in a classroom. There are so many religious connections. It would be hard to shed this book in a light where the students weren't focusing on a religious aspect.