Written by Sarah Lynn Scheerger. Illustrated by Deborah Melmon.
Missy loves Saturdays with her dad. Every week they do something special together. Usually, Dad brings the funds and Missy brings the fun, but this week, it’s Missy’s turn to treat with her own allowance until she and her dad stop for pizza, and Missy discovers a special way to do a mitzvah.
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Classroom Guide
Our Classroom Guide includes several writing and discussion activities for young readers based on Mitzvah Pizza.
Look Inside
What People are Saying
“It’s difficult not to be touched by the story… Warm and affecting.” – Kirkus Reviews
Watch the Inspiration
Sarah was inspired to write Mitzah Pizza after hearing the story of Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Philadelphia. Watch this clip from Ellen with the shop’s founder, Mason Wartman, to learn more.
Video
Watch a book commercial for Mitzvah Pizza created by Yealey Elementary School second grade.
What People are Saying – Full Reviews
“This book may bring a surge of business to the Philadelphia pizzeria that inspired it. The walls of the Pizza Corner are covered with sticky notes, and at first Missy can’t figure out why. ‘Each sticky note,’ her father explains, ‘represents a piece of pizza that somebody has already paid for, like a gift or a treat.’ Missy’s new friend Jane, a girl she met while waiting in line, needs help paying for her slice, for instance. Melmon’s illustration of the line is one of the pleasures of the book. Every customer seems to have a full life story, and the picture uses almost every skin tone on the artist’s palette. Ever since Hanukkah, Missy has been saving up her chore money for her day with Daddy, and if there’s absolutely no suspense about how she’s going to spend it, that’s because many readers will be moved to go to the real-life pizza shop in Philadelphia and make a donation to the pizza fund. It’s difficult not to be touched by the story…Given the paucity of books about Jews of color, it’s notable that Missy has East Asian features while her father presents white; Jane and her father both present white, and their need is treated with respect. Warm and affecting.” – Kirkus Reviews