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farel01's review
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
I picked this book up because it sounded interesting, and I was in tears throughout the entire second half of the book. Lucido was able to write from the perspective of a twelve year old really well, and the writing was also easy to read. I couldn’t put the book down and because I cried, it’s an automatic 5 stars from me since I never cry when reading.
ljrinaldi's review
3.0
Hannah has been raised without any religion at all, because of a fight that her mother had with her sister who is a rabbi.
So, when Hannah's best friend has a fantastic Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides that she wants one as well. Her grandmother, who is religious, reminds her that the Bat Mitzvah is more than a party, that is is also about faith and community and all that.
So, in secret, Hannah starts studying the part of the Torah that corresponds with her birthday.
And her grandmother ways she will tell her mother, when the time is right.
In between, we get recipes for what is going on. And Hannah is upset because her best friend seems to be not be her best friend since the ceremony.
Because middle grade books are all about friendships.
I enjoyed the story, but felt that Hannah should have told her mother, early on and just gone ahead with what she wanted to do. But, then, where would the story have taken us then. She also poisons her new friends friendship by saying that because she was Hispanic, she didn't know how she could be Jewish.
Good book for showing more about the Bat and Bar Mitzvah, and explaining about reading of the Torah.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, when Hannah's best friend has a fantastic Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides that she wants one as well. Her grandmother, who is religious, reminds her that the Bat Mitzvah is more than a party, that is is also about faith and community and all that.
So, in secret, Hannah starts studying the part of the Torah that corresponds with her birthday.
And her grandmother ways she will tell her mother, when the time is right.
In between, we get recipes for what is going on. And Hannah is upset because her best friend seems to be not be her best friend since the ceremony.
Because middle grade books are all about friendships.
I enjoyed the story, but felt that Hannah should have told her mother, early on and just gone ahead with what she wanted to do. But, then, where would the story have taken us then. She also poisons her new friends friendship by saying that because she was Hispanic, she didn't know how she could be Jewish.
Good book for showing more about the Bat and Bar Mitzvah, and explaining about reading of the Torah.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a must read for anyone grappling with their Jewish identity, children who have one Jewish and one non-Jewish parent, or anyone searching for the meaning behind becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Hannah and her brother Sam love baking all of the traditional Jewish desserts with their Grandma Mimi -- rugelach, sufganiyot, macaroons, babka, and more. (Note: Buy a paper copy of this book. You are going to want it for the recipes.) After her best friend Shira's Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides she wants to have one too. Unfortunately, her mother has decided she is no longer Jewish and refuses to allow it. Hannah sets off with the help of Grandma Mimi and her Aunt Yael the Rabbi to prepare for her own Bat Mitzvah. Along the way she both makes and loses friends, and risks alienating both friends and family. This is an excellent exploration of what it truly means to be Jewish. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
becca_willie04's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
imstephtacular's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
Minor: Genocide, Forced institutionalization, Death, and Cursing
rockets2writing's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
When Hannah's best friend Shira has her Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides she's going to have one two to prove she's Jewish enough. Too bad her parents will never agree to it. So Hannah cooks up a plan with her Grandma Mimi to study for her Bat Mitzvah in secret, which leads Hannah down a road to figuring out what being Jewish really means.
I really enjoyed this book and some of the questions raised, like what is Jewish enough and what does it mean to be Jewish and how that changes for each person. I loved the characters and the cooking throughout that tied the culture of Jewish food in. It was a fun read and great for those struggling with finding their Jewish identity or anyone wanted to learn more about Judaism.
I really enjoyed this book and some of the questions raised, like what is Jewish enough and what does it mean to be Jewish and how that changes for each person. I loved the characters and the cooking throughout that tied the culture of Jewish food in. It was a fun read and great for those struggling with finding their Jewish identity or anyone wanted to learn more about Judaism.
lorithereadingfairy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readwithmikey's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iphia's review
4.0
This book was a really incredible read, and despite being far older than the intended audience, it made me cry multiple times. It packs a lot into a small book — recipes, prose, verse, messages about the Torah and what it means to be Jewish and a huge heap about identity and family. Overall the message is well done, I think. Although it's very disappointing to see in the reviews that there are grown people who completely missed the entire point of this book.