Today I am fortunate enough to interview authors that are ALSO editors! Jonathan Rosen and Henry Herz c0-edited the forthcoming anthology, Coming of Age – 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories which is scheduled to release April 19, 2022. My review of the anthology will drop next week, right on this blog, but for now let’s have a chat with the editors.

BookishlyJewish: It is so wonderful to see an anthology on this beloved Jewish topic. Can you talk a little about the inspiration for the anthology and how it became a reality?

Jonathan Rosen: The inspiration was just basically a desire to see more Jewish stories. There seemed to be a lack of inclusion for Jewish-centric stories, and it would be nice for Jewish kids to see themselves or others like them in print. Thankfully, when the subject was broached to other Jewish authors, the vast majority of them agreed to sign on, pretty much for the same reason. They also felt the need for increased Jewish representation in kidlit. 

BookishlyJewish: Rumor has it some of the proceeds are going to charity. Is this true?

Jonathan Rosen: Yes, it’s definitely true. That was one of the main goals going in, to donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations that actively fight antisemitism. There is an organization already picked out, and hopefully, it will be official soon enough.

BookishlyJewish: How did you celebrate your own 13th birthday? Did that experience play into your contribution to the anthology?

Henry Herz: I had a run-of-the-mill 13th birthday party and a traditional Conservative bar mitzvah. I know, I was such a maverick. Although I was mortified at the thought of singing in public, it all worked out fine. This vanilla experience made absolutely NO impact on my story in the anthology, which portrays an alien on Planet Latke choosing a mitzvah project to impress his crush, and learning an important lesson in the process. The story also has fun Yiddish terms and a few winks at the Seinfeld TV series. So, yeah. Nothing like my real life.

Jonathan Rosen: I had my Bar-Mitzvah at the Western Wall in Israel. We were living there at the time, and I remember thinking about all the multitudes of similar experiences that had taken place there before mine. It really impacted me. While my story doesn’t take from that experience, the feeling of respecting what came before definitely did.

BookishlyJewish: Who are the ideal readers for the anthology and what are you hoping they take away from the reading experience?

Jonathan Rosen: The ideal reader is anyone. There are so many different types of stories in the anthology, in different genres, that there will be something for everyone. Will also be nice for Jewish kids to read about Jewish themes. And, while I know it probably won’t be automatically picked up by non-Jewish kids, there is a hope that if even some do, they can see that Jewish kids aren’t that different, and perhaps, create a better understanding and closeness.

BookishlyJewish: Does one have to be Jewish to enjoy the stories?

Henry Herz: Definitely not. These are stories anyone can appreciate. While Jewish readers may smile at terms and traditions with fond memory, it is important for non-Jews to see that struggling through adolescence and family dynamics are the same for all people. We also hope that these stories will build bridges, and perhaps when Jews aren’t “othered,” they’ll suffer less antisemitism.

BookishlyJewish: What was it like editing stories from so many different Jewish backgrounds?

Henry Herz: It was a ton of fun. And I was surprised that three of the thirteen stories were science fiction. I did not see that coming. The topics, themes, and writing styles vary considerably, but are all lovely. And isn’t that the point of an anthology. I felt a little bit of the imposter syndrome co-editing an anthology featuring Jane Yolen and two New York Times bestselling authors.

BookishlyJewish: Any advice for the aspiring Jewish teen writers that are reading this interview?

Henry Herz: To improve your writing craft, read a lot and write a lot. Find others who will give you candid and helpful critiques of your writing. Whether or not your work ever gets published, writing is fun. It’s a wonderful form of self-expression and promotes creativity and communications skills, which will be helpful throughout your life.

Jonathan Rosen: I’ll echo Henry’s advice. You really need to read and write a lot. Especially in the genres that you like to write. And write whenever you can. Doesn’t matter if the first times you try, it’s not good. That’s what revision is for. But first, you want to get those words on paper, and let your creativity flow. Most importantly, don’t let anyone discourage you or tell you that you’re not good. Everything is subjective. You keep going. That’s the only way to get better, and don’t let anyone deprive you of something that you enjoy doing.  

BookishlyJewish: Do you have a favorite Jewish book?

Henry Herz: Exodus. On a more serious note, being asked to pick a favorite book is a Sophie’s Choice. Honestly, I don’t know how to have a favorite book. Each book has its own strengths and appeal. Read them all!

Jonathan Rosen: There are a few Jewish-themed books that I have read and reread many times, but the one that instantly comes to mind is The Chosen by Chaim Potok. I loved that book, as well as the movie adaptation. It was a book that I read when I was still a kid, and it stayed with me.

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Today I got to chat with author Kalyn Josephson about her MG debut “RAVENFALL” a spookily fun novel about a girl whose family runs an inn at the crossroads of the human world and the Otherworld.

BookishlyJewish: I am so excited for RAVENFALL! Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind the story and the process of writing it?

Kalyn: Thank you so much! I’d love to. It started with the idea of a sentient inn and a family with magical powers, which I got after re-watching the Addams Family. It grew into a bit of a love letter to Irish mythology and autumn, both of which feature heavily, alongside a longtime desire to see the cat companion as the good guy for once (it wasn’t long before Max the cat stole the show, quickly becoming my favorite character).

BookishlyJewish: Correct me if I’m wrong but, your previous books were YA. What made you take the leap to MG and what are the differences you noticed?

Kalyn: That’s correct! Funnily enough, RAVENFALL actually started out as YA when I first wrote it nearly 8 years ago. It’s a story I drafted before my published YA and ultimately shelved. When I revisited it, I realized I’d written a middle grade book, as the story focused so much on the characters’ places within their families, had such wild, whimsical magic, and humor in the darkest places, all things that fit the middle grade space really well.

BookishlyJewish: Interesting, so who is the ideal reader for RAVENFALL?

Kalyn: RAVENFALL falls into the upper middle grade range, so I think it’s a great option for both middle school and high school readers looking for a story steeped in magic and mythology. Particularly fans of things like Supernatural, Encanto, and Practical Magic. But one of the great things about middle grade fantasy is I think it can appeal to readers of all ages looking for something full of magic and heart.

BookishlyJewish: RAVENFALL just got a cover! Any thoughts?

Kalyn: So many thoughts! The artist, Ramona Kaulitzki, completely captured the spooky autumnal heart of the story. I love how central the inn is, the way the title unfurls like a scroll, and all the little creatures you can spot throughout. It’s the kind of cover that the more you look at it, the more you see.

BookishlyJewish: I’ve been staring at it for hours, and I think you are correct. This is such an exciting writing milestone. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer? How was the journey from then to now?

Kalyn: I’m honestly not sure. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do for as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until college that I realized it was something I could pursue as a profession, and I went from writing fanfic and short stories to learning to write novels. Since the release of THE STORM CROW, I’ve been fortunate enough to keep telling new stories, and I’m excited to do that in the middle grade space now too.

BookishlyJewish: What do you hope readers take away from this book or any of your other writing?

Kalyn: RAVENFALL is primarily a story about processing grief and learning to express yourself. So much healing in the book happens through honest communication, something I think a lot of us struggle with sometimes. I hope the message that how you’re feeling is valid and deserves attention really comes through and sticks with readers when they need it.

BookishlyJewish: While I feature Jewish books on this site, part of my focus is showing how they are actually great books for EVERYONE. Any background our general audience readers should know before diving in to RAVENFALL?

Kalyn: I totally agree with that, and I really appreciate the work this blog does for Jewish voices. RAVENFALL was interesting for me to write because it features a Jewish main character whose identity is just part of who she is, rather than integral to the story. The sequel on the other hand was a big change, as it explores Jewish mythology and identity. But I think both, like any other books featuring mythology, are just an opportunity to explore a new world, no background needed.

BookishlyJewish: You’re making me blush! I can’t help but notice your bio includes cats. What are the names of these wonderful pets? Do you have a favorite literary cat?

Kalyn: I do!! Their names are Snags and El. The cat in my book, Max, is actually based on El, who despite being all of 5 pounds is one of the world’s greatest menaces (which she would take as a compliment). 

In terms of favorite literary cats, I’d have to pick Mogget from the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. His dry humor is the best, and like Mogget, the cats in my stories are never quite what they seem.

BookishlyJewish: Mogget is the best. And he’s always giving cryptic advice. What is the one piece of advice you’d like to tell an aspiring Jewish writer? 

Kalyn: That if you want to write Jewish characters, write Jewish characters. When I was a new writer, I got feedback on RAVENFALL telling me there was no reason for Anna to be Jewish, and so I took it out. It wasn’t until later that I added it back, because Anna doesn’t need a reason to be what she is.

BookishlyJewish: I always end by asking if you have a favorite Jewish book or author?

Kalyn: The last couple years have made this especially tough, with an incredible list of new Jewish fiction being published, but I think I have to go with a recent read, which is FROM DUST A FLAME by Rebecca Podos. It’s the kind of story that sweeps you off your feet from page one, and the Jewish themes throughout were so relatable and powerful.

BookishlyJewish: Great choice! I loved it too. My review can be found here.

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My favorite thing about books, and the reason I would plow through 10+ novels a week as a kid, is the way they let you experience something new and exciting without actually leaving your home. I would go on adventures, travel to Mars, and visit ancient civilizations, all without leaving my cozy bed. Sarah Kapit’s contemporary MG novel, The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family, took this a step further. Forget going someplace new, I got a chance to inhabit the head of someone vastly different from myself and see what the world is like through their eyes.

In fact, the narrator of this neurodivergent tale of family secrets switched between two of the Finkel sisters, Caroline and Lara, both of whom are autistic. Lara, the older sibling, has overtones of a modern Harriet the Spy, as she brandishes her notebook of observations and attempts to become a detective. It is quickly apparent to readers that she is actually looking to find her place in a family undergoing several significant upheavals.

Caroline, on the other hand, is confused about her older sisters new independent streak, despite vying for some independence of her own at school. Although Caroline must use assistive technology to speak, she has convinced her new middle school to let her attend classes without a para and is determined to prove she can make friends on her own, without Lara’s or the school’s help.

Several members of the Finkel family are neurodivergent, including Dad whose ADHD impacts the sisters multiple times, and it is fascinating to see this through Caroline and Lara’s eyes. Their voices are unique, their perspectives fresh and gripping. They each make mistakes and seek to make reparations in their own unique fashion, based on their personalities and strengths. This allows the reader to appreciate their individuality as well as their bond as sisters.

Books can do so many things, but at their hearts, they usher the reader into the narrators particular universe. In this case, the adventure may not have taken me very far geographically, nor were the stakes the stuff of the apocalypse, yet I was taken out of my comfort zone, into someones else’s, and am grateful for the experience. Middle grade readers will find much to love in these pages.

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E Broderick is a writer and speculative fiction enthusiast. When not writing she enjoys epic games of trivial pursuit and baking. She currently lives in the /u.S. but is eagerly awaiting the day a sentient spaceship offers to take her traveling around the galaxy.

In the Midst of Civilized Europe: The Pogroms of 1918-1921 and the Onset of the Holocaust by Jeffrey Veidlinger is a work of non-fiction positing that the genocide which took place in the Pale of Settlement following the Russian Revolution was a dress rehearsal for the Holocaust. This particular era of Jewish bloodshed is often overlooked, eclipsed by the Holocaust or lumped in with the wave of pogroms in the Pale of Settlement following the assassination of Alexander II in 1881. Further, until recently, Soviet documents detailing it were hidden and, per this book’s thesis, it is not politically convenient for the world to remember. This history is personal to me as I’m partially descended from teenage survivors of this particular genocide.

The book pulls no bunches in its descriptions and thus trigger warnings are necessary for descriptions of murder, violence, rape, torture, and antisemitism.

I found the book dense but necessary. It centers a corner of the world, whose population is divided into warring political factions—Bolsheviks, Russian Nationalists, Ukrainian Nationalists, Polish Nationalists, who each join together—soldiers and civilians—to slaughter their Jewish neighbors in what is now primarily Ukraine, as well as Poland, Belarus, and the Baltic states. Each political faction blamed Jews for their past woes and claimed “the Jews” conspired with whichever political movement they disliked the most.

In truth, though Jewish activists existed within each of the various political factions, most of the Jewish population lacked firm political inclination because, as my great-grandfather once said, we were “too poor for opinions.” Further, the Jews living in the Pale lacked political influence, except, as often happens with antisemitism, to act as a unifier for disparate gentiles to come together and slaughter.

The book describes each major political movement with nuance and complexity, while also explaining how hundreds of thousands of Jews were slaughtered in the name of so many disparate ideas—communism, western-style democracy, self-determination, etc.

While the book spends significant time relaying the events and their roots, the author focused equal or more time on the world’s response to these events focused not on saving lives but on their own political interests.

Of particular note, it was clear that Jews in the United States knew of the danger and became concerned over the killing. However, American interests aligned with that of a democratic independent Poland. And, to those ends, refused to even use diplomatic pressure to stop the bloodshed, instead
adopting the antisemitic position proposed by Polish leaders at the time—that the Jews were “exaggerating,” and secretly aligned with the Bolsheviks or the Russians or the Germans and thus merely seeking to undermine Poland and the west.

Additionally, the book recounts how Polish politicians successfully used the Tulsa Massacre to push back against the idea of American moral authority. It is reiterated that this was duplicated by Germany during WWII, who were prepared to use the specter of Jim Crow to undermine any objection
that the west might have had to its treatment of Jews.

There is also an excellent discussion of the limited options for refugees and how western countries amended their laws to prevent Jewish refugees from this particular genocide from immigrating. Further, U.S. immigration laws in 1921, 1922, and 1924 were aimed directly and specifically at limiting the number of Jews admitted into the U.S. and most certainly contributed to the death toll in
the Holocaust.

As previously stated, the book carefully lays out the case that the world’s response to this particular genocide set the table for the Holocaust and that response is why several hundred thousand became six million. Moreover, a direct line can be made from the antisemitic theories espoused by the world then and the antisemitism of today.

Further, this book makes a subtle argument against people who argue that the Holocaust is only remembered because it involves Jews (implying the deeply antisemitic idea that Jews have special power and privilege). It is clear from the actual history outlined that Jewish genocide (or antisemitism for that matter) is only notable when it can be used for the political benefit of gentiles. While the Holocaust can be laundered to bolster the western claim to a moral high ground during WWII, this genocide cannot, and thus it and the hundreds of thousands of people who died are forgotten.

The biggest criticism I have with this book, is that it lacks certain historical context for readers. While it discusses the Pale of Settlement, and generally alludes to the fact that the Jews of the Russian Empire were required to live there under draconian rules governing their lives, I think, despite the length, most readers probably needed more information. I’m not sure one can understand the period without an acknowledgement that the systemic discrimination of Jews was one of the ways the Tsarist Russia held onto its territories and quelled rebellions from other ethnic minorities prior to the
revolution.

Further, I’m not sure one can understand the position of the Jews in the Pale without discussing that while some of them lived in those territories before the partition of Poland in the 18 th century (first arriving in the 15 th century after a series of expulsions in the west), many Jews were “resettled” in the Pale from elsewhere in Russia in the late 18 th and 19 th centuries.

These details don’t excuse the behavior of the various gentile groups. Nevertheless, they would give a particular context to how Jews were always seen as foreign and not necessarily considered to have a place in any of the proposed new nations, demonstrating the fine line between anticolonial self- determination and ethnonationalism. However, given the considerable length of the book, such would’ve most likely been very difficult.

All and all, the book, while not easily read by a casual reader or a reader without some context, is still an extremely well-done, well-researched, and important book. Its thesis is relevant today, on a variety of fronts, from fighting antisemitism to understanding how even the best ideals can be used to commit evil acts.

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When I review a book, I typically dive into the pieces of the plot that I identified with or the character traits and experiences that mirror my own. It’s what people have come to expect from BookishlyJewish. I’m going to do something different with my review of Aviva vs. The Dybbuk. Today, I’m going to flip over the book and discuss the author photo first.

Is this bizarre? Maybe. But I hope you’ll bear with me, because that photo let me know in one instant that I was going to love these pages. The author is rocking a shell and a sheitel. She wrote her dedication, to her parents, in lyrical Hebrew. It’s OK if you don’t know what some of the words I’m using mean. Very few people do. The point is, this was a book written by someone who either grew up ultra orthodox or lives in such a community now. The story reflects that upbringing and those values, and traditional publishing actually picked it up. HUZZAH!

There is no question in my mind that this story will hold up next to any mass market book. The narrative, about a girl named Aviva who lives with her mother above the community ritual baths after the death of her father in an antisemitic attack, is poignant and heartwarming. It has all the necessary plot beats for a strong emotional character arc. We watch Aviva deal with her mothers depression, feeling alienated from her classmates and even her struggles with the mischievous Dybbuk (Jewish spirit) that lives in the ritual baths. We immediately bond with this girl for whom school is “kind of not my thing.” A lonely outcast that loves sports and her mother.

All of this is great, but what hooked me, was that Aviva has her adventures in the setting of a very traditional orthodox girls school and community. When there is a sport mentioned it is not football or lacrosse. It’s Machanayim (yes, orthodox schools have a lot of made up sports with funky names including gaga and belts too!). Aviva and her nemesis must plan a females only Bat Mitzvah Bash not a co-ed prom or homecoming. And most importantly, her community is always, always there for her.

Judaism is not meant to be practiced alone. It is a religion of community. No one Jew can complete every mitzvah in the Torah – it is literally impossible, as some are for priests, others for Kings and yet still others are exclusively for women. This is presumed to be by design – God’s way of showing us that we are intended to survive together. To exist as a unit, constantly seeking to aid and assist one another. When Aviva and her mother struggle, there was never a doubt in my mind that the community would lift them up. In an unexpected touch, when the community itself is faced with antisemitism they are bolstered by members of other marginalized groups.

I read this book over the course of one Shabbat day. The words and setting and tone were as familiar to me as the air I breathe. It contained all the good in my childhood laid out for the world to see and appreciate. The Dybukk turned out not to be what I was expecting, but I didn’t very much care. The story was more than enough. It was exceptional.

I want more of this type of representation in publishing. Authors should be free to use the words and experiences of their own communities, not just in the MG space but also in YA and adult books. I would read it forever. Because, as Aviva would say, “it’s kind of my thing”.

Note: I received an arc of this book from the publisher after I asked for a reviewer copy.

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E Broderick is a writer and speculative fiction enthusiast. When not writing she enjoys epic games of trivial pursuit and baking. She currently lives in the U.S. but is eagerly awaiting the day a sentient spaceship offers to take her traveling around the galaxy.

I am so thrilled that BookishlyJewish has been chosen to participate in the Sydney Taylor Book Awards blog tour this year. The Sydney Taylor Awards are presented each year to outstanding works of literature written for children and teens. I got to catch up with Hannah Reynolds, author of Summer of Lost Letters , which was named a 2022 Sydney Taylor YA Honor book.

Read the interview below! To learn more about the Sydney Taylor Books awards you can visit their website or check out the Association of Jewish Libraries website and blog.

BookishlyJewish: Can you describe the process of writing Summer of Lost Letters? Was there any particular inspiration?

Hannah: I set out to write a fun, banter-filled romcom, because that’s what I like to read. I especially enjoy fish-out-of-water stories, so I wanted to drop my heroine — Abby — on an exclusive New England island for the summer, where she’d be slightly overwhelmed but determined to find her footing. I also love a little Nancy Drew-esque sleuthing, and opposites-attract romances, so I knew I wanted to write a story with both of those. 

But the backbone of the book, the bond between mothers and daughters, was inspired by my own relationships. Specifically the one between my grandmother, my mother, and me — a Holocaust survivor, a child of survivors, and a grandchild. There’s a lot of complexity around the communication (or lack-thereof) between generations: the silences kept, the worries, the generational trauma. There’s also a lot of joy and closeness. So in between all the flirty banter and kissing and skinny-dipping in THE SUMMER OF LOST LETTERS, I wanted to write a story grounded in something deep and strong, something that rang true to my own experiences — the unconditional love between mothers and daughters.

BookishlyJewish: Who is the ideal audience for your book and what do you hope readers take away from it?

Hannah: Most of all, I want teenagers to connect with my books, with the feeling of figuring out your place in the world, whether that’s your family’s past or your own future. But I like to think, since THE SUMMER OF LOST LETTERS is so inter-generational, that anyone can really enjoy it. I want all readers to come away happy – my goal in writing is to make readers laugh and smile and to feel sheer delight. Romance stories are so powerful and so optimistic and uplifting, and I think we need more of that in the world.

BookishlyJewish: What does being a Sydney Taylor honor book mean for you and Summer of Lost Letters?

Hannah: I was really honored and blown away to get this award — it really means the world to me. Abby’s family history and her relationship with Judaism is so similar to mine, and this felt like a really validating acknowledgement of my experience. There’s so many different ways to be Jewish, and I hope that this Sydney Taylor Honor Award means more readers will find their way to THE SUMMER OF LOST LETTERS, and see themselves in it.

BookishlyJewish: when did you know you wanted to be a writer? To write Jewish books?

Hannah: I’ve always wanted to be a writer — I remember drawing “illustrations” in kindergarten and telling my mom the words I wanted to accompany each page (the stories were usually about magic puppies and princesses). The Jewish aspect of my books is just as long-standing — it never occurred to me not to write Jewish characters! I love exploring themes of identity and belonging, and for me, a lot of that is tied to being Jewish. Also, there’s so many cool, hidden pockets of Jewish history — I hope I get the chance to explore plenty more of them.

BookishlyJewish: I like to end all my interviews by asking the author if they have a favorite Jewish book or author. Do you?

Hannah: There’s so many great Jewish books getting published these days! A few I’ve read recently and really enjoyed are The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, and Milkfed by Melissa Broder.

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Whistle written by E. Lockhart and illustrated by Manuel Preitano, made headlines as it introduced DC’s first new Jewish superhero in decades. She lives in Gotham City, and the youthful comic has much in common with Batgirl. With riotous curly hair, Willow Zimmerman is seen holding up a poster for school funding on the first page, emphasizing her political drive, in the finest Jewish tradition. Within a few pages she’s collecting signatures, dragging a new friend to Rosen Brothers Deli, and hugging him when she hears he’s been orphaned.

Willow also describes Gotham’s old Jewish neighborhood, which once had 500 synagogues. As it happens, her mother’s a professor of Jewish culture and history. Inserting an old Jewish quarter in Gotham City feels much like the retro World War II comics written decades later and the eventual outing of characters like the Thing and Magneto as Jewish—later salutes to the Jewish creators and attempts to add more multiculturalism, but welcome and fitting nonetheless.

Willow also works at an animal shelter and helps her mom who’s struggling with a brain tumor. She soon finds herself tangling with Gotham’s well-known villains. It’s nice to see a teen facing real-life problems so awful she considers criminality, instead of staying squeaky clean like golden age characters. And when she’s troubled, she goes to synagogue. As such, Willow feels real, relatable and teenaged, dealing with modern problems and fads much like the beloved Ms. Marvel. Though only this solo graphic novel has arrived, the character has much potential.

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One day maybe I’ll be less blown away by how much I identify with Rachel Lynn Solomon’s characters. I’ve been making a point to read more books with rep I can relate to, but Rachel’s books feel intensely personal for me. I am grateful to read about Jewish families and Jewish characters finding love, and also to read about characters who describe depression in a way that sounds so much like my own experience.

Weather Girl is a vivid and fun romance between Ari and Russell, who work at the same news station in Seattle. Ari is a meteorologist and Russell is a sports journalist, and they team up in an attempt to improve their work environment by encouraging their bosses (who used to be married) to get back together, “Parent Trap” style. If this plot makes you wary, I can tell you that the way it plays out in this book is definitely fun and it won me over.

Russell has a 12 year old daughter who is in preparation for her bat mitzvah. He also has some insecurity around being fat. Arielle (Ari) has a fraught history with her mother’s depression and her father’s abandonment of their family, so even though Ari takes antidepressants and goes to therapy, she doesn’t open up about it with anyone, even her former fiancé. I can’t speak to being a parent, but I am familiar with a lot of impacts of depression and seeing Russell and Ari develop trust and chemistry was a delight that felt very true to life. They stumble along the way, but they find their way back to each other. Their intimate scenes together also reflect their vulnerabilities and their honest appreciation of each other. (Slight spoilers: I was thrilled to see both mutual masturbation and lube on page in this book, I personally interpreted their inclusion as being related to Ari’s depression.)

This was a strong winner for me, I was really invested in these characters. I tend to really enjoy when a character’s career is discussed, and in this book we get glimpses of both MCs careers and then some! It was the perfect balance of details without alienating the reader. Experiencing Russell’s daughter’s bat mitzvah on the page through Ari’s eyes was so meaningful. There is a bit of a secondary romance as well, which was a cute bonus. This is my third book by this author and it solidifies that I will gladly read anything she writes, and I am particularly excited for her future adult romances.

Note: The reviewer received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley

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What would happen if the United States split into two countries, each fully expressing its own values and rejecting those they disagree with? The Jewish YA novel The Papercutter by Cindy Rizzo expores this question, along with a another: what would happen to the Jews in these divided states?

The teens in this story live one generation after a great split in American society. The G-d Fearing States (GFS) have promised the Jews religious freedom, and virtually all Orthodox Jews settled there. The United Progressive Regions (UPR), a bastion of technology, environmental consciousness and gender fluidity, is the home of liberal Jews. The state of Ohio is divided, so when Binyamin Fine chose to become more religious, he moved, married and has raised his family in the GFS in southern Ohio. His parents and teen younger sister, Dani, live in the north.

A pen pal program is established to bridge the cultural and spiritual gap between GFS and UPR Jews, and liberal Dani is paired with Jeffrey Schwartz, an Orthodox teen boy in the GFS. He and his friends, the Orthodox teens of the GFS, are often devoted to their faith, skeptical about their country’s dogmas, and frightened by increasing acts of anti-semitism in the country where they were promised safety.

One of Jeffrey’s friends, Judith Braverman, is gifted at the Jewish art of papercutting, creating extraordinary and intricate designs. She can also see people’s souls and know whether they are good or bad. Jeffrey has the most powerfully good soul she has ever seen. He also has a secret. He’s gay, and hiding it in a community that would never accept him for who he really is.

As Dani and Jeffrey correspond through the penpal program, the teens conceive of a way to communicate by code, using Dani’s technology and Judith’s papercutting skills. Soon, their efforts play an important role in communications between Jewish communities, which might just
be needed to ensure all of their safety.

The Papercutter is an unusual novel in that many of the most important characters are gay and lesbian. As a straight woman, I found their experience compelling and well-developed. Being queer is certainly not always easy, even in communities that welcome it — nearly impossible in
those that do not. For that reason, I think the book is an important read for queer Jews, who will surely see themselves in it — and for all other teen Jews, who will gain a deeper understanding of the experience.

Today, we can see the enormous political and cultural rift between Orthodox and liberal Jews, which parallels the polarization in American society and around the world. And yet, when it comes down to it, we’re family. This story, in which teen Jews of different religious perspectives take care of one another, helped me believe in the unity of the Jewish people, and that we can look to each other and look out for each other in times of danger, in spite of our differences.
If only it didn’t require danger for us to see that we’re really one people. May it one day be so.

Content note: the book contains one brief memory of sexual assault of a male teen by another male teen.

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Evonne Marzouk grew up in Philadelphia and received a B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University in the Writing Seminars program, with a minor in Religious Studies. She has worked on international policy and communications projects for two decades as an employee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From 2004-2014, Evonne founded and served as executive director of Canfei Nesharim (recently merged with GrowTorah), an organization that teaches Jewish wisdom about protecting the environment, and she co-edited Uplifting People and Planet, a collection of Jewish environmental core teachings, published in 2014. Her first novel, The Prophetess, was published by Bancroft Press in 2019. Follow her on instagram at @StillEvonne.

You are a Jew first, an American second. Be grateful for this country but you will never be safe here. Don’t stand up and make waves, support whoever is in power, be sure they do not notice you. Revolution is bad for Jews, no matter which side you are on, they’ll ultimately blame you.

This is the stuff of many Jewish childhoods in the diaspora, especially following the Shoah. For the children of displaced people and the grandchildren of survivors bed time stories feature villains that are all too real and dreams are to survive and be safe. Because safe feels like the best one can hope for and survival was a duty to the Jewish people.

Keep you head down. Stay safe.

This is also the prevailing wisdom in 1956 Hungary, the setting of Katherine Locke’s powerful historical fantasy “This Rebel Heart”. When the story begins Csilla Tisza is preparing to flee Hungary, a country that first abandoned her family to the Shoah and then murdered her parents for being “Zionists” despite her fathers loyalty to the communist party. Csilla does not have time for idealisism and political movements the way her father did. She’s too busy “keeping careful the way she used to keep Shabbat”. Because in her reality “disappeared” is a verb that the government perpetuates on its citizens for no apparent reason. In her world, living to see tomorrow saps all of her energy. As her aunt puts it, “survival is a siege”. 

When unrest in Poland sparks protest in Budapest, Csilla has no intentions of being swept up in the hysteria. She intends to leave. To survive. Until she meets an unassuming engineering student who demands more of her and an angel of death that reminds her that she, and her past, are so much more than her present. 

Csilla takes to the streets in the face of unacceptable tyranny, much like our youth of today have done. She knows that she is unlikely to succeed. She sees the antisemitism and hatred for Jews spreading within fringes of the very movement she helped to form, and she still stands her ground and protests. Cries out for a country to be lawful and just even though it has never demonstrated an ability to do so in the past. She shows up for a country that has never shown up for her. Because, to paraphrase our sages, if she doesn’t show up, who will? If she is only for herself, then what is she? If not now, when?

These are the questions that Jews across the world have been asking over and over these last few years. These are the questions that have sparked intense debate across communities. The older generation, their scars still bleeding from watching other idealistic movements ignore the antisemitism in their midst -sometimes even using political upheaval as an excuse to purge themselves of Jews- advise waiting it out. But our youth insists on standing up. .

Because if kids can’t dream of bigger and better, then what really is the point? Because we are Americans AND Jews and one of those things should not have to take precedence over the other. Because there will never be a country that is “ours” but that does not mean our traditions are less important, our roots less firm, our duty to do what is right less sacred. 

To be a Jew is to belong to nowhere and everywhere all at once. To be a Jew is to do what your heart knows is right, even if you have a “rebel heart” like Csilla. 

Along the way, Csilla, her student, and her angel, somehow manage to walk arm in arm through the streets of Budapest and share the most romantic vibes despite the fact that their world is crumbling around them. Another thing they share in our common with the youth of today. The world may feel like it is ending, like every new day brings a new challenge and threat to our existence, and yet human acts of kindness and love still prevail.  

I know it’s “historical fiction,” but this is a story for our time. Or maybe it is a story out of time. Belonging to every instance in which a person decides to stand up for what they know is right in the face of overwhelming odds stacked against them, despite the sad fact that often Jews are made to suffer disproportionately for their protests, even when our side “wins”. Because there’s a little Rebel heart in each of us, if only we learned to listen. 

Note: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher by requesting it through NetGalley

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E Broderick is a writer and speculative fiction enthusiast. When not writing she enjoys epic games of trivial pursuit and baking. She currently lives in the U.S. but is eagerly awaiting the day a sentient spaceship offers to take her traveling around the galaxy.