In the Thirteenth Year

Plot

Grade 4-7 Isaac Segal is approaching his bar mitzvah when he starts receiving mysterious messages in his sleep. He discovers that he can read minds and will objects to move. His parents explain that HAON (read the words in all capitals backwards to understand better) took a group of Jews to the planet AROPSAID so they could live free as Jews. They returned to Earth when a terrible disease (SACHS-TAY) broke out on their planet. Isaac learns to use his powers and discovers who else is from AROPSAID as he prepares for his bar mitzvah. He faces the usual stress?whom to invite, what to say in his speech, and stage fright. Yapha Nussbaum Mason, Brentwood Lower School, Los Angeles