Clever Rachel

So close to a great book with riddles and potential for a strong feminist message. Instead it includes lines like, "Standing in the entry was a young woman, who might have been beautiful had she not looked so distraught," and blames Rachel for not sufficiently rising above Jacob's sexism.......more

Title: Clever Rachel Author: Debby Waldman Illustrator: Cindy Revell Reader: Unknown (Titlewave states Priscilla Holbrook) Goodreads Star Rating: 4 Categories/Genres: Fiction/Realistic Folk Tale - Tumble Books Copyright date: 2009 (2010 Tumblebooks) Estimate of age level of interest: K-3 Estimate of Reading......more

I read this book with my 2nd graders to work on determining the central message. It’s a very cute story with a great message, it was just a little dry at points.......more

Rachel has grown up listening to riddles. As a baby, songs made Rachel cry, fairy tales kept her awake, but riddles relaxed her, so that is what her father put her to bed with. Before she will learn anything new, she asks her mother a riddle and will not do the new thing until her mother has answere......more