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There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein book cover

There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein

by Susan Sussman

susan sussman 1993

Great fit for 3rd grade

Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9

3rd grade English Christmas stories
0.5
AR Points
9m
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Realistic Fiction

Themes

  • identity
  • belonging
  • family traditions
  • cultural and religious diversity
  • peer pressure
  • empathy
  • respect for differences

About this book

Robin feels left out during Christmas, especially when her Jewish friend Sandy Goldstein has a decorated tree she calls a Chanukah bush. With the gentle guidance of her wise grandfather, Robin learns what it means to honor her own family’s traditions while respecting others. This warm, relatable picture book speaks to kids who feel different during the holidays. Families appreciate its humor and heart as it opens conversation about identity, belonging, and celebration.

Setting: contemporary suburban neighborhood and school during the December holidays

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein right for my child?

Yes — There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include identity, belonging, family traditions.

How long does it take to read There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein?

At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,200 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein have an AR quiz?

Yes — There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.

What grade level is There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein?

There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein has an AR reading level of 3, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.