American Girls

For the third Rebecca book, author Jacqueline Dembar Greene drew on her childhood experiences to explore what makes a day on the calendar a “national holiday.” When Rebecca is pressured to make a Christmas decoration at school, she feels conflicted. Not only does her family not celebrate Christmas, she is getting ready for Hanukkah and thinking about her place in the festivities. So, on top of her homework and friendships, Rebecca finds herself involved in some secret gift plans…and a complex pigeon situation. We chat about Dembar Greene’s heartfelt Hanukkah story, recent music news, and an excellent remix by a listener.  Read more about "The Americanization of Hanukkah" here: https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2014/december/americanization-of-hanukkah.html Learn more about the ”pigeon lady” in Central Park in November, 1981:  https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/28/The-pigeon-lady-of-Central-Park/3161375771600/ Time Stamps: 00:00-11:50 - We talk pop culture (90 Day Fiance, Mariah Carey Songwriter Hall of F