Review: Recipe for Disaster
Recipe for Disaster
by Aimee Lucido
Versify
Category: Middle Grade
Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer
Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucio is not just tasty but also filling.
Rebelling by embracing tradition, Hannah embarks on secret bat mitzvah
lessons, given by her mother’s estranged rabbi sister. Hannah explores
what being Jewish means to her as she compares herself to - and
unwittingly judges - her friends and relatives of varying Jewish
commitment, observance, and background. An antisemitic incident makes
her further examine her Jewish identity. Using the framework of recipes -
for friendship, for Judaism - for Hannah, who loves to bake, is
effective.
Recipe for Disaster is a clear contender for the Sydney Taylor Book
Award. Its portrayal of a daughter of an interfaith marriage, struggling
with her Jewish identity, obviously meets the requirement for authentic
portrayal of Jewish life. With its beautiful writing and authentic
understanding of this age group, it qualifies as “outstanding.”
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