With only a dime in his pocket, Isidore Sirota, an immigrant known as “Joe the Jew,” moved to Atlanta and opened a grocery store. Joe didn’t only sell food in his store; he also created a community. Through acts of charity, like bailing one customer out of jail and saving another from eviction, Joe became a beloved member of the neighborhood. Told from his granddaughter’s perspective, Joe’s Market is written with love, every word penned with affection and respect.
Debra Sifen’s comic-like illustrations are endearing. The smiling characters and detailed groceries enliven the story. Included in the book are a recipe for chicken soup and a photo of Joe the Jew.
Although this book could have used a tighter proofread, it is a sweet biography that may encourage children ages 4 to 8 to explore their own family histories.
Paula Chaiken has worked and volunteered in a variety of capacities in the Jewish world — teaching in religious school, curating at the Spertus Museum, and serving on the boards of her JCC and Temple — for more than twenty-five years. The author of I Know Grandpa (Timber Grove Press, 2015), she also runs a boutique public relations consulting firm.
