On her ninth birthday, Zeesie attends a package party with her parents, relatives, and neighbors. In the midst of all the excitement, she notices men taking turns going into a mysterious room. Her father tells her it's a money room where the heads of households can either leave or take money, according to their family's needs. Imagining that it must be filled with spakling jewels and treasure, Zeesie sneaks in to take a peek, and what she sees inspires an act of great generosity on her part. Set in a thriving Jewish neighborhood in the 1930s, both the story and the lively illustrations are filled with ethnic and historical details. (Ages 5-8)

Zeesie feels very grown-up indeed! For on this night, her seventh birthday, Zeesie is going to her first package party with Mama and Papa. She even has a brand new dress and a dollar bill -- her birthday gift -- all for herself!
The package party is grand, with great towers of wrapped surprise packages to be auctioned to raise money for other new immigrants to the community. Such wonderful smells, tastes, and sounds, and oh, so much to see...
But as Zeesie soon discovers, not everything and everyplace is meant to be explored, and what she does see that night on Delancey Street leaves her with a new knowledge about giving and receiving.