Jumping Jenny

“In this fun, yet meaningful, story, Jenny is a jumping maniac who, at times, jumps herself right into trouble. After several mishaps and a tirade of disapproval, Jenny decides jumping is just not worth the trouble. Depressed, she mopes about. However, an opportunity arises in the form of a fundraiser; Jenny’s ‘pogo stick’ offers her the brilliant idea to jump in a jump-a-thon. She rounds up pledges and everyone helps her practice to reach her goal. When the big day finally arrives, her $1 per jump pledges actualize as she triumphantly hits 1,000 jumps. By using a medium that most children can relate to, this story is an excellent motivator to help students see the potential in their own passions and to find ways to make a difference in their own world. The softly colored illustrations complement the story nicely. The writing itself is clear and descriptive with fun uses of language making this appealing story a great read-aloud.” —Bridget Slayden, Library Media Connection

“Jenny loves to jump. She is constantly jumping over cracks in the sidewalk and over fences with and without her pogo stick. Her jumping gets her in trouble in school, where she knocks over a box of caterpillars in the science room and bumps into the hot lunch cart in the cafeteria, splattering mashed potatoes in every direction. Her jumping annoys her friends who make fun of her, her teachers who ask her to stop, and her mother who does not allow her to jump in the house. Jenny becomes a hero when her teacher suggests a mitzvah project to help children in Uganda. Jenny decides she will jump 1,000 times without stopping and collects $1 a jump from her friends and family. The Jewish content is minimal, although one of the boys in the racially diverse class wears a kippah, the Hebrew alphabet is displayed on the blackboard, and the teacher mentions that their Ugandan project is a mitzvah. The word mitzvah is neither explained nor translated. Without the single mention of the unexplained word “mitzvah” this book could be about any group of children, not necessarily Jewish children. The brightly colored full page illustrations are cheerful and enhance the story." —Jewish Book World

“There is something about a book that makes us laugh and think at the same time! Jumping Jenny is one of those both engaging and thoughtful.” — Working Mother

“With its bright, child-friendly cartoonlike illustrations, the book succeeds in reminding children to recognize their own gifts and to remember to give to others.” —School Library Journal

“Bari’s story of one girl’s approach to the Jewish principle of ‘tikkun olam’ (literally, “repair the world”) will resonate as readers watch Jenny achieve her exhausting, triumphant success." —Kirkus Reviews