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ghutter05's review
4.0
Really good book about processing grief that still has some plot and tension. Maybe a few plot holes but it's a fast read that hangs together in spite of them. Enjoyed being introduced to the community.
rebeshelton's review
4.0
I loved this sweet, own voices, middle-grade novel. It's a short book that delves into mental health and trauma. I loved the exploration of friendship, growing up, and of course how trauma is handled by each person differently. I don't remember where I saw this book, and was surprised when it showed up as a hold at the library. I'm glad I decided to read it though!!
sasha_in_a_box's review
3.0
An usual and lovely book about grief, loss, and struggling with yourself.
I read a streak of Jewish culture- and religion-centric books this year, along with The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen and When the Angels Left the Old Country. I love LQ for publishing 2 out of these 3 titles, working on them so lovingly, and contributing incredibly valuable works to children's literature.
I don't know how much I can say about this book - it's quiet and slow but has profound depth in its contemplation of childhood that is forced to carry not only the loss of a parent but the emotional support of another while feeling alone. What does that do to someone, when you squeeze them that much with no outlet, especially when they also have to face the regular kid struggles like bullying and getting in trouble at school? You do have to make a commitemnt to read this book, but it's worth it, and I would recommend this for anyone who is challenged with profound losses that they can't seem to carry on their own.
I read a streak of Jewish culture- and religion-centric books this year, along with The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen and When the Angels Left the Old Country. I love LQ for publishing 2 out of these 3 titles, working on them so lovingly, and contributing incredibly valuable works to children's literature.
I don't know how much I can say about this book - it's quiet and slow but has profound depth in its contemplation of childhood that is forced to carry not only the loss of a parent but the emotional support of another while feeling alone. What does that do to someone, when you squeeze them that much with no outlet, especially when they also have to face the regular kid struggles like bullying and getting in trouble at school? You do have to make a commitemnt to read this book, but it's worth it, and I would recommend this for anyone who is challenged with profound losses that they can't seem to carry on their own.
directorpurry's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Antisemitism, Grief, and Hate crime
Moderate: Death of parent and Antisemitism
mooog's review
2.5
This has some really good themes. I am just kot the target audience. Would be cool to have the same basic story, but with adults in mind
sandy_reads_books's review
I already really liked this book even before the revelation near the end. It probably wasn’t the perfect introduction for me to Jewish culture and experience, but then again the book wasn’t made with me in mind. Despite that I think I kind of liked being thrown into it like learning a language by immersion.
I am happy I got to familiarize myself with new ideas and concepts that I knew little about before reading this but what I love most is the core story of family, friendship, and grief. It was amazing to watch Aviva and Kayla’s relationship develop. Something about the rebuilding of something that was lost is so precious but also scary, painful at times, and wonderful. I was so happy to see their two different stories come together and interact until they were brought together as friends again.
There is a lot of grief and pain and this book and I found it amazing how a lot of this comes to life really near the end of the book. By the end we get to see Aviva’s mother’s pain, Aviva’s, Kayla’s, and her mom’s too. I didn’t even realize until the end that this was a book about grief, but when I did I was flooded with a new layer of pain and emotion. Something that initially felt like a game was in a moment was painfully ripped into reality in a way that allowed for healing to be possible. I haven’t read a lot of books that discuss grief and pain in this way so I am really happy I got to see it in a children’s book. Even as an adult thought it is super valuable to me as well. I’d love to recommend this to any children I meet in the future or my own if that happens to be the case, and honestly I think it’d be a good recommendation for adults as well.
I am happy I got to familiarize myself with new ideas and concepts that I knew little about before reading this but what I love most is the core story of family, friendship, and grief. It was amazing to watch Aviva and Kayla’s relationship develop. Something about the rebuilding of something that was lost is so precious but also scary, painful at times, and wonderful. I was so happy to see their two different stories come together and interact until they were brought together as friends again.
There is a lot of grief and pain and this book and I found it amazing how a lot of this comes to life really near the end of the book. By the end we get to see Aviva’s mother’s pain, Aviva’s, Kayla’s, and her mom’s too. I didn’t even realize until the end that this was a book about grief, but when I did I was flooded with a new layer of pain and emotion. Something that initially felt like a game was in a moment was painfully ripped into reality in a way that allowed for healing to be possible. I haven’t read a lot of books that discuss grief and pain in this way so I am really happy I got to see it in a children’s book. Even as an adult thought it is super valuable to me as well. I’d love to recommend this to any children I meet in the future or my own if that happens to be the case, and honestly I think it’d be a good recommendation for adults as well.
lgiunta's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Antisemitism, and Grief
kimiloughlin's review
5.0
Aviva vs the Dybbuk was a wonderfully sweet and powerful story about confronting your own grief. I loved the glimpse into growing up in a conservative Jewish community, repairing old friendships, and surviving middle school.