The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

One Day: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Benjamin Phillips Candlewick Studio, 2025 Category: Picture Books (sophisticated picture book for mature readers) Reviewer: Jeanette Brod   Buy at Bookshop.org The picture book One Day uses its title to propel the reader on a journey through the brutality and unexpected humanity found in the experiences of French Jews during the Holocaust. The theme was chosen for acclaimed children’s literature author and authority Michael Rosen as part of the Holocaust Memorial Commemoration in 2022. He tells the story of a father and son through the voice of Eugene Handschuh, the son. The author’s family has a second-hand connection to the story of the Handschuh family. In the Author’s Note, Michael Rosen admits to taking some artistic license with the protagonist’s interviews and book. The story takes place roughly over the course of one year, from late 1942 to late 1943. Amazingly, the story is circular. The ...

The Incorruptibles by Lauren Magaziner Aladdin (imprint of Simon & Schuster), 2025 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Judy Ehrenstein   Buy at Bookshop.org Thirteen-year-old Fiora lives in Barrowburgh with her Uncle Randal, in a dystopian former United States. Sorcerers have taken over, controlling and terrorizing the town and beyond. Fiora's parents were brutally murdered and she is both enraged and deeply frightened of the Sorcerers and their powers. During an unfortunate meeting and subsequent battle with one, Fiora is rescued by Quinn, a member of the Incorruptibles, a rebel group working to defeat their cruel overlords. Taken to Inc Academy, their training school, Fiora begins to learn her own strengths, both physically and emotionally. Life at the school brings friendships, rivals, and a little romance. And also danger, with the book ending on a cliffhanger, leaving readers wanting more. Characters are diverse: skin color and hair texture is described, as are physical disa...

It's a Love/Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson Harper (imprint of HarperCollins), 2025 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Sarah Blattner   Buy at Bookshop.org When Charlie Porter, a D1 college hockey hopeful, is bested by her anger off ice at the annual Winthrop, Vermont Hockey Cup, a throwdown in fisticuffs and all-out brawl damages the ice rink and gets Charlie in big trouble. Charlie is suspended from her team and from the Cranford Preparatory School for six months, because she violated the terms of her athletic scholarship. In the meantime, Charlie will attend her hockey team’s rival high school, Winthrop, working off the rink damages. But this rough ice is zambonied by Coach Geri Goldstein, figure skating coach, Olympic bronze medalist, and mother to Alexa Goldstein, a pairs skater. Coach Geri makes a deal with Charlie and the rink management. Instead of rink duty, Charlie will train with her daughter Alexa in preparation for regionals, because Alexa’s skating partner broke h...

Shira the Singing Puppy by Ilana R. Wieder, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Cindy Rivka Marshall   Buy at Bookshop.org We first meet the puppy, Shira, in a colorful garden with musical notes floating across the landscape. Shira - whose name appropriately means "song" in Hebrew - loves to sing and howl. The opening pages of nature imagery, with flowers, ladybugs, snail and bee, immediately conveys Shira’s joy in life. Each day of the week, the puppy tries to sing for her human family. But repeatedly, they say, “Hush and shush, Shira. Not today.” The children are doing homework or have music lessons. They are watching TV or have playdates. The puppy’s howls are not appreciated, but the reproach is gentle. The repetition of “sh” sounds in the refrain, “Hush and shush, Shira,” reminding one of comforting a baby. The book has an added layer of teaching the days of the week, with Shabbat and Havdalah a...

Scattergood by H.M. Bouwman Neal Porter Books (imprint of Holiday House), 2025 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Ellen Scolnic   Buy at Bookshop.org This historical novel takes place in 1941, as the United States prepares to enter World War II. Thirteen year old Peggy grapples with daily chores and farm life while her town welcomes refugees and her cousin and best friend is dying of leukemia. "Authentic" is the word that comes to mind when describing this book. Bouwman has a solid grasp of her teenage protagonist’s point of view. Dialogue rings true. Peg’s ideas and hopes are valid. She is rational and very talented in math, so she tries desperately to save her cousin’s life - or find a doctor who can care her. Peg’s ideas – ambushing a visiting professor or praying because that’s what some adults have said they are doing - seem like ideas a real teen would come up with. This book is beautifully written. Peg is a self-described nerd who enjoys playing chess with an elderly re...

Call Me Gebyanesh by Arlene Rosenfeld Schenker and Gebyanesh Addisu, illustrated by Chiara Fedele Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Lisa Trank   Buy at Bookshop.org Seven-year-old Gebyanesh, a young Ethiopian Jew, starts the new school year in Jerusalem, where her family has recently settled after escaping from persecution, famine, and civil war. When her teacher is unable to pronounce her name, she is instead assigned a new name - Rakhel. Gebyanesh/Rakhel experiences her new school as an outsider and with the exception of another student named Daria, she is not accepted by the other Israeli kids. She is mocked for her different food, her clothing, and the color of her skin. Gebyanesh hides her school experience from her family until her younger brother discovers her schoolwork with the name Rakhel on it. Gebyanesh's mother tells her to be proud of her name and where she comes from, showing Gebyanesh a family photo album th...