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thenextgenlibrarian's review
5.0
“Hate can not drive out hate. Only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
✡️
It’s the summer of 1967 and twelve-year old Ariel Goldberg is about to live in great moments if upheaval. Her sister decides to elope with an Indian man after the Supreme Court case of Loving vs. Virginia, which allowed people of different races to marry. Her family’s Jewish bakery is in trouble and she’s struggling with writing in class due to dysgraphia. When Ariel feels left out of the big decisions, especially concerning her sister and her parents not talking to her, she takes matters into her own hands to try and bridge the family chasm.
✡️
It’s the summer of 1967 and twelve-year old Ariel Goldberg is about to live in great moments if upheaval. Her sister decides to elope with an Indian man after the Supreme Court case of Loving vs. Virginia, which allowed people of different races to marry. Her family’s Jewish bakery is in trouble and she’s struggling with writing in class due to dysgraphia. When Ariel feels left out of the big decisions, especially concerning her sister and her parents not talking to her, she takes matters into her own hands to try and bridge the family chasm.
kamckim's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet Coming-of-Age Story
I’d recommend this one for Upper Elementary and Middle School. It might also be used in the classroom if teaching about the 1960s. The message is simple: only love overcomes hate.
I’d recommend this one for Upper Elementary and Middle School. It might also be used in the classroom if teaching about the 1960s. The message is simple: only love overcomes hate.
mama_jo's review
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
notinjersey's review against another edition
5.0
Last year, I listened to The Night Diary by this author, but I was not aware that she is part Jewish until I heard about this book. This is the story of a Jewish family in 1967. Ariel is 12 years old and dealing with the fact that her older sister has eloped with an Indian man named Raj, and their parents are not accepting of her decision. I loved Ariel so much! Aside from her Judaism, which makes her feel different in school, she also struggles with writing skills. Her teacher suspects that she has dysgraphia – which both of my boys seem to have as well. Ariel’s teacher is so supportive and Ariel finds her voice in writing poetry. I also loved her friend who helps her look for her sister. The only thing I was not sure about in this book was the use of the 2nd person, an interesting choice by the author, and the description of people as “more” or “less Jewish.” (Another way to express this would be “more” or “less observant.”) A quote that I liked from the book was “It’s weird that a holiday you’ve celebrated your whole life is a mystery to so many people around you.”
professor_kei's review
4.0
A deep and moving story that hits close to home. I enjoyed watching the main character grow and start to form her own beliefs and values, especially regarding humanity and love. Miss Field is the teacher we all need and deserve.
ellsbeth's review
3.0
This is a middle-grade book that explores the complexities around interracial and inter-religious marriage in the late 1960s, along with many other topics. I struggled with the second person perspective, but this book has lots of good food for thought.
thenextgenlib's review
5.0
“Hate can not drive out hate. Only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
✡️
It’s the summer of 1967 and twelve-year old Ariel Goldberg is about to live in great moments if upheaval. Her sister decides to elope with an Indian man after the Supreme Court case of Loving vs. Virginia, which allowed people of different races to marry. Her family’s Jewish bakery is in trouble and she’s struggling with writing in class due to dysgraphia. When Ariel feels left out of the big decisions, especially concerning her sister and her parents not talking to her, she takes matters into her own hands to try and bridge the family chasm.
✡️
It’s the summer of 1967 and twelve-year old Ariel Goldberg is about to live in great moments if upheaval. Her sister decides to elope with an Indian man after the Supreme Court case of Loving vs. Virginia, which allowed people of different races to marry. Her family’s Jewish bakery is in trouble and she’s struggling with writing in class due to dysgraphia. When Ariel feels left out of the big decisions, especially concerning her sister and her parents not talking to her, she takes matters into her own hands to try and bridge the family chasm.
miszjeanie's review
5.0
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For is a poignant, moving, and brilliantly written middle grade novel about family, identity, and love. Set against the background of the 1968 Loving vs. Virginia verdict and written from a second-person point of view, this book follows an insightful young Jewish protagonist confronting the world’s harsh realities and inequities. This one is a real treat for tween and adult readers.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
katieproctorbooks's review
4.0
This was a good, solid, middle grade read. I liked the main character and how the story tied back to the author’s family. Great on audio!
graystreetbooks's review
4.0
I don't think I have read a book told in the second person for a long time, if ever. It took some getting used to, but I absolutely loved the experience of reading this book.