The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Yossel's Journey by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Johnson Yazzie Charlesbridge, 2022 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Heidi Rabinowitz Buy at Bookshop.org Yossel's family leaves Tsarist Russia because of anti-Jewish violence, traveling to the fictional Two Red Hills Navajo reservation in New Mexico where Uncle Izzy has left them a trading post. Shy and feeling displaced, it takes a while for Yossel to warm up to his new home. When he meets Thomas, a Navajo boy his age, he comes out of his shell and the two become friends. Yossel finally feels at home when he tells a chicken joke that had been a hit with his friend Moishe back in Russia, and Thomas's family gets it. He's especially pleased that his joke caused Thomas's baby brother's first laugh, a significant event in Navajo culture. Johnson Yazzie's stylized acrylic paintings, with their earth tones and wide open skies, make every setting (from Russia to New York to New Mexico) evoke a southwestern flavor.

Mordechai Anielewicz: No to Despair by Rachel Hausfater, translated from French by Alison L. Strayer Triangle Square Books for Young Readers (imprint of Seven Stories Press), 2022 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer Buy at Bookshop.org Narrated by 13-year-old Feigele, a messenger in the Warsaw Ghetto, No to Despair tells the story of the three week insurrection in the ghetto by the Jews in April-May 1943. The book’s focus is on the 24-year-old leader of the insurrection, Mordechai Anielewicz, and emphasizes his belief in dying - and living - with dignity and not succumbing to hopelessness without a fight. Feigele idealizes Anielewicz, as probably most or all under his command did, referring to him repeatedly as an angel. While this depiction conveys the adoration and loyalty the fighters in the ghetto felt for him, it does mean that we miss out on a fuller portrait of Anielewicz as a human being with his own flaws and foibles. Although the narrator does give us some con

Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg Scholastic Press (imprint of Scholastic), 2022 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Emily Roth   Buy at Bookshop.org   In 1987, when two gay teens living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan meet by chance, both of their lives are forever changed. Micah is introverted and worried about upsetting his liberal Jewish parents when he inevitably comes out of the closet, while CJ is openly and unapologetically out. Micah finds himself instantly drawn to CJ, even though CJ compulsively lies to keep his past a secret. As Micah and CJ grow closer, and as Micah struggles to figure out if their connection is platonic or romantic, the AIDS crisis looms as a constant invisible threat over everything. Micah and CJ both go on incredibly compelling emotional journeys over the course of the novel, and secondary characters, such as Micah’s parents and his boss, are equally complex and well-drawn. Teen readers will enjoy the pop culture references and cameos from LGBTQ ic

The Porridge-Pot Goblin by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Hector Borlasca Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2022 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Leah Cypess Buy at Bookshop.org The Porridge-Pot Goblin is a charming picture book in which an invisible goblin disrupts the Shabbat preparations of two village children. After several mishaps and some chaos, the children outsmart the goblin and save the Shabbat meal (and their mother’s nap). The story focuses on Shabbat preparations, and the chaos of the goblin’s mischief is contrasted to the peace and happiness of the Friday night meal, in a way that makes the atmosphere of Shabbat feel almost tangible. The well-written text and delightful illustrations work together to bring this fun, humorous story to life. It should be a strong contender for the Sydney Taylor Book Award. Illustration Editor  Dena Bach  adds: The illustrator sets the story in a shtetl-like village with lively, off-kilter images reminiscent of an

The Lost Spy and the Green Dress by Alex Paz-Goldman, translated by Linda Yechiel Green Bean Books, 2022 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Beth L. Gallego Buy at Bookshop.org The world around Motti Friedman is full of intrigue. It is 1964, he is 12 years old, and he is absolutely certain there are spies living in his neighborhood outside of Ramat Gan. With his best friend Reuven, he will follow in the footsteps of the heroes of his favorite books - The Secret Seven, The Young Detectives , and Eight on the Track of One - and reveal at least one hidden spy. Trailing a suspect through the streets is much more exciting than doing his homework in the tiny, run-down apartment where his mother is forever at her sewing machine, and his father, unable to work since his recent stay in a convalescent home, sits reading the newspaper. Embarrassed by what he sees as the weaknesses of his parents, Holocaust survivors who rarely speak of the past, Motti wants to prove himself brave, strong, and cleve

Brand-New Bubbe by Sarah Aronson, illustrated by Ariel Landy Charlesbridge, 2022 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Rebecca Klempner Buy at Bookshop.org In Brand-New Bubbe , a non-Jewish youngster's mother remarries. Jillian appreciates her Jewish stepfather, but is skeptical--at first--of her new step-grandmother, called by the traditional Eastern Yiddish moniker, "Bubbe." With an orange Jewfro and offers of matzah ball soup and exuberant affection, Bubbe is just too intense for Jillian's taste. Plus, she already has two grandmothers! Jillian stages a protest, refusing the generous gifts and attentions of Bubbe. Mom reminds her child that "Family is more than blood," and tells Jillian to be more welcoming of Bubbe. On Bubbe's next visit, she asks for Jillian's help to make matzah ball soup. As she explains the correct technique for fluffy matzah balls, Bubbe tells Jillian that her own bubbes taught her to make matzah ball soup. After Jillian tastes t

Best Wishes by Sarah Mlynowski Scholastic Press, 2022 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Stacey Rattner Buy at Bookshop.org Becca lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her mom and brother, Brahm. Her parents have been divorced for a while but her Dad moved recently to California and this will be Becca’s first birthday without him. She also seems to be losing her best friend Harper, who is becoming more interested in chess,n ew friend Georgette, and Friendstagram than hanging out with Becca. But when Becca receives a mysterious box containing a magical bracelet, her life changes instantly. “Speak one wish to make it true,” the note attached to the bracelet says. “I wish I had friends. Not just one friend. But lots and lots of friends. So many friends,” Becca wishes. Suddenly, everyone, including her principal and teacher, wants to be her friend. At first, of course, it’s great. The wish worked! Best present ever! “Better than a gift certificate…better than a phone,” thinks