Adults have Benny Cooperman and Hercule Poirot. Young adults have Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.

Now younger readers have Jacob and Sarah, two fearless, young detectives who follow their hearts and their desire to do good for others, to fight danger and to solve impossible mysteries.

Toronto author Karen Fisman has brought back the two intrepid heroes of Adventure in Latkaland to deal with the puzzling and potentially disastrous Problems in Purimville (JoRa Books).

Someone or someones with mischief in their hearts are befuddling the important preparations for Purim. Costumes that children delight in wearing on the holiday have been mixed up and muddled: ballet tutus instead of pirates’ hats! And the sweet, yummy hamantashen that children depend upon for snacking have been sabotaged: brussel sprouts instead of jam! 

Purim without the appropriate costumes.

Purim without the delicious hamantashen. 

How could it happen?

The celebration of the holiday for every child around the world is threatened. Purim must be saved.

Thus, Jacob and Sarah embark on their second adventure. Setting aside their fears and, of course, finding the magic means by which to travel to Purimville – where all Purim costumes and hamantashen are made – they are determined to solve the mystery of who is so mean, so uncaring, to want  to spoil the fun of the festival.

Fisman tells a story with sparkling imagination. The make-believe is as smooth as fresh ice on a frozen pond. Together with brightly coloured illustrations by Wendy Faust, she creates a fanciful tale that entertains with child-appropriate episodes of danger and drama even as it teaches values of goodness, persistence and courage.

Jacob and Sarah take us on a new, playful journey from Latkaland to Purimville. And the ride is fun and good reading for all of Purim’s children.