ANGEL SECRETS

This charming collection of stories is based on Jewish legends that teach that the Holy of Holies created links between Heaven and earth. These links are groups of angels, and what a lot they are. Each group has been given specific tasks to perform on earth, and, as characterized here, angels possess human, relatable feelings and ideas and, yes, sometimes even flaws. Readers will be fascinated and comforted to know that angels apparently feel self-doubt, jealousy, worry, confusion and many other emotions. It will come as no surprise that angels are musical, but who knew they can’t dance at all and love to laugh? Their relations with God are warm and wonderful. These are reverential stories that teach gentle, humorous lessons and shed a reassuring light on how connected humans are with the world of the spirit. Gore’s soft, delicate paintings glow with light. Includes a note about the stories, an author’s introduction and sources and references. (Nonfiction. 9-12)