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librarygirlreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
teachertroitsky's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
While set in a specific religious community the message and experience is universal. The characters come alive immediately in the reader's mind and even if you are entirely unfamiliar with Jewish traditions, the story is relatable in any culture. The fully fleshed-out characters are drawn lovingly and sensitively. Events move swiftly, creating a fast-paced narrative counterpointed by the slow, exquisite revelation of Aviva’s situation.
bluehairedlibrarian's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
4.0
A middle grade drama with fantastical elements that is steeped in the Orthodox Jewish community. A middle school girl has become isolated since the death of her father. Her mother has gone into a deep depression, they moved into a smaller home on top of a Jewish bath, and no one at school seems to look at her. Her only real company is a mischievous dybbik, a ghost of a restless soul who causes chaos in Aviva's home and the baths. When their neighborhood starts seeing more vandalism and hatred, Aviva begins to bond with a lost friend and hopefully find her community as mysteries unfold around her.
This is a very emotional story with many secrets that unfold slowly, often subtly in the background. Aviva is a good yet incredibly unreliable protagonist dealing with her own emotions from her father's death while also trying to be the adult in her home, taking care of her mother. It's a good look into a culture I'm unfamiliar with and the different religious aspects embedded in their lives. I'm very thankful for the glossary in the back of the book because, while I got the gist of what most of the worlds meant, it was nice to know for certain. The addition of re-finding a friend previously lost gives it a universal relatability, and the ending had me in tears.
This is a very emotional story with many secrets that unfold slowly, often subtly in the background. Aviva is a good yet incredibly unreliable protagonist dealing with her own emotions from her father's death while also trying to be the adult in her home, taking care of her mother. It's a good look into a culture I'm unfamiliar with and the different religious aspects embedded in their lives. I'm very thankful for the glossary in the back of the book because, while I got the gist of what most of the worlds meant, it was nice to know for certain. The addition of re-finding a friend previously lost gives it a universal relatability, and the ending had me in tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Medical trauma
elizabethjane's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Grief, and Hate crime
Moderate: Death of parent and Mental illness
Minor: Injury/Injury detail