Private Joel and the Sewell Mountain Seder. Available in Soft or Hard Cover. By Bryna J. Fireside, illustrated by Shawn Costello. Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year. The Civil War was underway, and Private J.A. Joel and his company were camped out in West Virginia. Passover was two weeks away, and he and his fellow Jewish soldiers were homesick. With permission from their commander and matzah brought in on a train from Cincinnati, the group went to work. Using cider for wine, carrot tops for parsley, and a brick to symbolize charoset, the soldiers improvised a seder to remember. The participation of three former slaves, now members of their regiment, lent a special poignancy to this celebration of freedom. Inspired by a true story. 

Ages 8-11, Grades 3-5, 48 pages, 6 5/8" x 9 1/4"