Review: Sydney A. Frankel’s Summer Mix‐Up
Sydney A. Frankel's Summer Mix-Up
by Danielle Joseph
Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group)
Category: Middle Grade
Reviewer: Shirley Reva Vernick
Rising sixth-grader Sydney A. Frankel plans to spend the summer chilling
with her BFF Maggie Stein, enjoying the downtime before middle school
starts and before her pregnant mom gives birth. But her mom insists she
take a class at the local community center to help her overcome her
shyness and stage fright. Sydney can take any class she wants, except
for her first choice: reading class. Meanwhile, Maggie’s mom has signed
her up for her last choice: yup, reading class. The friends decide to
switch places, so they can each take a class they’ll enjoy. Hijinks
ensue as the girls struggle and scheme to keep their cover. In the end,
Sydney comes clean to her family, teacher and classmates. Along the way,
she makes new friends, overcomes her stage fright, and learns the value
of embracing one’s true self.
Filled with humor, sensitivity, and authentic tween dialogue, this novel
is a heartfelt homage to friendship (old and new), first crushes,
family, and the magic of childhood summers. Supporting characters
represent both physical differences and neurodiversity, helping to round
out the age-old challenge of trying to fit in. I recommend it for all
middle-grade readers, no matter the season.
The story’s Jewish content is incidental, so it’s not “Jewish enough” for the Sydney Taylor Awards. Still, it’s a pleasure to see Jewish children living their best lives against a backdrop of references to kugel, Bubbes, Shabbat candles, Yiddish pet names, and Hebrew middle names.
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