This is such a darling story! I’m not sure I’ve read a book set in Czechoslovakia before; I know I definitely have not read one featuring a Jewish family that was set there in the early 1900s! I fell in love with Gisella right away (she reminds me of myself when I was a girl), and loved getting to know her and her world.

I’m not sure what part of this book was my favorite…the village setting, and all the many things it describes the family making by hand, or the way the community pulled together to help each other with bigger tasks, or maybe even the family element, where Mama did her best to create a loving, happy home atmosphere, even though things can’t have been easy for her. It was all done well!

Highly recommended, if you’re looking for books set in early 20th century Europe to help round out your knowledge of the time period. This is a gentle, heartwarming read, with multiple layers of faith, family, and home. I’m looking forward to reading it to my younger siblings; it’s perfect for the 8–12 age range, although I think slightly younger (and older!) children would like it, too. It’s a simple story, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am looking forward to what other gems Sydney Taylor has up her sleeve that I don’t know about yet! ( )

First sentence: Gisella sat very still, her pale green eyes round with wonder. Again the miracle was happening! She had seen it many times before, but always her pulse quickened with the mystery of it.

Premise/plot: A Papa Like Everyone Else is set in Czechoslovakia circa 1918/1919. Szerena and Gisella long for a 'papa like everyone else' since their papa is far away in America. He went a year before the war started to find a job, to get established, to earn enough to bring his family over. The world war changed plans significantly. But now the war is over and the family hopes to be reunited soon. Meanwhile, life on the farm in the farm village continues on. This is a 'slice of life' glimpse at a rural Jewish family from the time period. There isn't "action" or major plot points so much as it is just capturing the 'old world' life as experienced by one Jewish family. (There is at least one chapter with some excitement. But mostly just flavor of life, normal, ordinary, routine.)

My thoughts: I didn't enjoy this one as much as All of A Kind Family. But I liked it well enough. I am very glad I was able to read it. I've always wanted to read more Sydney Taylor. ( )