A Dreidel in Time

by Marcia Berneger

Release: September 2019
Format: Early Chapter Book
Genres: Fantasy, Religion
Audience: Children
Content: Definite Time Travel
Original Language: English

Nine-year-old Benjamin and his younger sister Devorah are given a dreidel that takes them back to the Maccabean Revolt and the first Hanukkah.

— Michael Main

“What’s happening?” Benjamin cried. The dreidel spun faster and faster until the whole room whirled with it. He grabbed onto Devorah and shut his eyes.

DEBUT

A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale (Kar-Ben, September 2019).

VARIANTS

1 English variant

PRIOR WORKS: based on the traditional Hanukkah story

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Time Periods

Circa AD 2000 to 2099: presumed time period

Themes

Causal Loops: Benjamin tells the Maccabees about George Washington’s tactics, which they use. Washington then reads about the Maccabees and uses their tactics. Benjamin learns of these tactics and goes back in time to tell the Maccabees . . .

Real-World Tags

Hellenistic Period: ancient Modi’in, 167 –164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
Maccabees

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

From the children’s living room, Los Angeles, circa 2019 ⋙ to near ancient Modi’in, 167 BC. Note: The children travel to the start of the Maccabean Revolt.
From an unknown time ⋙ to near Jerusalem, a few years later. Note: possibly the Battle of Beth Zechariah.
From an unknown time ⋙ to Jerusalem, a little more than a year later. Note: the Hanukkah Miracle of the Oil.
From an unknown time ⋙ to back in the children’s living room, immediately after they had left.