After the shocking murder of her husband, 19-year-old Ros and her one-year-old son relocate to her childhood home to live with her parents. Palm Springs--full of sunlight, small and safe--should be the perfect place to bring up a child. But things aren't always as they appear. When the father of one of Ros's friends is shot in front of her house--an incident that also lands Ros in the hospital--it marks the beginning of a terrible string of events. Someone is out to get her, and they seem determined not to stop until her friends and family are also drawn in. As she struggles to uncover the identity of her mysterious enemy, Ros finds herself looking for answers in the most unusual places. Could the attacks have something to do with her increasingly disturbing dreams? And if so, how can she make them stop? In Past Crimes, bestselling author Carol Matas once again asks her readers to question their assumptions about the world around them. Are we capable of fully understanding the lives we lead, or do the things we fail to understand far outnumber those that we do? Growing out of her work in books like The Freak, Past Crimes offers an innovative twist on the mystery/thriller genre, and is a must-read for fans of Matas's work. Veteran novelist Carol Matas knows that a fast-paced plot is mandatory for youth raised on television. In Ros [the protagonist], Matas has created a heroin who will appeal to teenage girls Canadian Review of Materials Ive read Past Crimes and its interesting that shes tackled something typically new. Shes gone from one genre to another and not many writers can. Shes willing to challenge different kinds of writing, and shes incredibly productive. Helen Norrie, Childrens reviewer from the Winnipeg Free Press as quoted in the Jewish Tribune

The stories in "Jewish Children" likely capture the joys, struggles, and everyday experiences of Jewish children growing up in the shtetls (Jewish villages) of Eastern Europe. Aleichem's writing often combines humor, warmth, and poignant observations about family, community, and tradition. The collection may include tales of mischief, friendship, and coming-of-age moments, as well as reflections on the unique cultural and religious heritage of Jewish communities. Aleichem's characters are typically colorful and memorable, offering readers insights into the rich tapestry of Jewish life and culture. Through "Jewish Children," Sholem Aleichem likely invites readers to immerse themselves in the world of Jewish childhood, where laughter and tears, dreams and aspirations, mingle against the backdrop of a changing world. The collection serves as a tribute to the resilience, humor, and enduring spirit of Jewish children throughout history.