An adaptation of a story by I. L. Peretz about a Passover visit from Elijah moves the tale’s original time and place. Muriel and her family have been hit hard by the Depression and can’t afford to have a Seder. All they can do is leave the door open for Elijah, though they can’t afford to fill a wine glass for him. When Muriel is walking home just before sundown, she sees a poor beggar performing magic tricks who suddenly transforms into a well-dressed man. As soon as she gets home, there’s a knock on the door: It’s that same man, asking if he can join them for dinner. Now the table that was once bare is filled with food, and Elijah’s once-empty glass is filled with wine. Muriel’s parents send her to fetch the rabbi to witness the miracle, and many members of the Jewish community follow him to Muriel’s home, where there is enough food for everyone. But the stranger is now gone, and Muriel notices that Elijah’s glass has been emptied. The detailed illustrations recreate a Washington, D. C., complete with cherry blossoms, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument; together with the narrative, they convey a strong sense of a close-knit 1930s Jewish community. (Ages 5-9)

Sydney Taylor Award Winner

A girl's kindness to a mysterious magician leads to a Passover miracle.


Beautifully illustrated and deftly told, this story full of hope, tradition-- and just a touch of magic-- is a new Passover classic in the making.

It's the Spring of 1933 in Washington D.C., and the Great Depression is hitting young Muriel's family hard. Her father has lost his job and her family barely has enough food most days-- let alone for a Passover Seder. They don't even have any wine to leave out for the prophet Elijah's ceremonial cup.

With no feast to rush home to, Muriel wanders by the Lincoln Memorial, where she encounters a mysterious magician in whose hands juggled eggs become lit candles. After she makes a kind gesture, he encourages her to run home for her Seder, and when she does, she encounters a holiday miracle: a bountiful feast of brisket, soup, and matzah, enough for their whole community to share.

But who was this mysterious benefactor? When Muriel sees Elijah's cup is empty, she has a good idea.

Sean Rubin's finely-detailed, historically-accurate illustrations, with a color pallete inspired by Marc Chagall, bring a strong sense of setting to this fresh retelling of the I.L. Peretz story best known through Uri Shulevitz's 1973 adaptation The Magician.

A perfect gift for those celebrating Passover, or to introduce the holiday traditions to young readers, The Passover Guest is sure to enchant readers of all ages.

Brief essays at the end of the story detail author Susan Kusel's inspiration for this retelling, artist Sean Rubin's influences and research, and introduce the traditions associated with Passover celebrations.

An Association of Jewish Libraries Spring Holiday Highlight
A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
A Booklist Editors' Choice
A CCBC Choice
A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year