Review: Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules
Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules
by Sarah Kapit, illustrated by Genevieve Kote
Henry Holt & Co., 2024
Category: Middle Grade
Reviewer: Sara Lesley Arnold
Buy at Bookshop.org
Rachel Friedman does not follow rules, especially when she’s expected to sit through the lengthy services at her synagogue without a cartwheel break. As much as she tries, she just can’t. But when faced with a challenge from her father that would let her meet her gymnast idol, she must decide if this is motivation enough to betray her every instinct and follow every single rule for an entire week.
Author Sarah Kapit thoroughly integrates Rachel’s relationship with Judaism into this first novel of the middle grade Rachel Friedman series, centering many turning points around the setting of the synagogue and interactions with Rachel’s rabbi. Paired with frequent, adorable illustrations by Genevieve Kote, the story is accessible to elementary and young middle school readers who are drawn to visual elements, but the author leaves plenty of room for kids to use their imaginations.
Featuring a neurodivergent main character and a non-traditional family dynamic, Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules provides situations and feelings that many kids will relate to. And with its showcase of diverse elements of the Jewish community, it provides a peek at real-life dynamics in American Jewry. Teachers and librarians should definitely grab a copy for their collection and feature it for those struggling with rules and boundaries. And luckily for those who love it, there are more Rachel Friedman books coming!
Rachel Friedman does not follow rules, especially when she’s expected to sit through the lengthy services at her synagogue without a cartwheel break. As much as she tries, she just can’t. But when faced with a challenge from her father that would let her meet her gymnast idol, she must decide if this is motivation enough to betray her every instinct and follow every single rule for an entire week.
Author Sarah Kapit thoroughly integrates Rachel’s relationship with Judaism into this first novel of the middle grade Rachel Friedman series, centering many turning points around the setting of the synagogue and interactions with Rachel’s rabbi. Paired with frequent, adorable illustrations by Genevieve Kote, the story is accessible to elementary and young middle school readers who are drawn to visual elements, but the author leaves plenty of room for kids to use their imaginations.
Featuring a neurodivergent main character and a non-traditional family dynamic, Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules provides situations and feelings that many kids will relate to. And with its showcase of diverse elements of the Jewish community, it provides a peek at real-life dynamics in American Jewry. Teachers and librarians should definitely grab a copy for their collection and feature it for those struggling with rules and boundaries. And luckily for those who love it, there are more Rachel Friedman books coming!
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