Review: Lilac and the Switchback

Lilac and the Switchback

by Cordelia Jensen

Holiday House, 2025

Category: Middle Grade

Reviewer: Stacy Mozer

 

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This beautifully written novel in verse is a heartwarming must-read. After her mother’s death, Lilac moves in with her aunt and uncle, who have treated her with kindness, but she’s never truly felt at home. Her cousin has never welcomed her, and now, with twins on the way, Lilac feels more like an outsider than ever. As she starts middle school, things get even harder when her best friend joins the popular crowd, alongside her cousin, leaving Lilac behind. When she discovers a long-lost letter and a check from her father, Lilac realizes he may have wanted to be part of her life all along. Hoping for the sense of belonging she's always craved, she reaches out to him, wondering if he might finally be the one to offer her a real home.

Judaism plays a meaningful and authentic role in Lilac’s journey as she seeks connection to her father and a deeper sense of belonging. Her exploration of Jewish identity begins through her friendship with Eli, who gently introduces her to Jewish traditions and community. Together, they light her father’s menorah, attend his Bar service, and celebrate Passover at his family’s seder. These experiences are not presented as background details, but rather as important steps in Lilac’s emotional and personal growth. By the end of the novel, her choice to join Eli’s chavurah feels like a natural and significant turning point. The Jewish content is woven seamlessly into the narrative, accessible to non-Jewish readers while offering meaningful representation. Lilac’s discovery of Judaism adds depth to her story and helps broaden readers’ understanding of Jewish identity as something that can be discovered, reclaimed, and deeply personal.

 

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Reviewer Stacy Mozer is a veteran elementary educator currently teaching first grade. In addition to her work in the classroom, she is a children’s book author, book blogger, and serves as the Co-Regional Advisor for the New England chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.