Review: Rachel Friedman Is Not the Queen

Rachel Friedman Is Not the Queen

by Sarah Kapit, illustrated by Genevieve Kote

Henry Holt & Co., 2025

Category: Early Chapter Books

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaw

 

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Rachel Friedman is Not the Queen, the most recent entry in Sarah Kapit’s early chapter book series, is a warm, relatable friendship story that teaches about Purim and the importance of seeing others’ perspectives.

 

In this installment, goodhearted but impulsive Rachel falls out with her best friend Maya when Maya nabs the coveted role of Esther in their synagogue’s 3rd grade Purimspiel. Rachel, appropriately cast as the stubborn Vashti, takes her jealousy and disappointment out on Maya in harsh words, avoidance, and competitiveness. The caring adults in Rachel’s life notice the friction and help Rachel understand how her behavior is hurting her treasured friendship. Rachel apologizes and the two girls support each other through the challenges of the final performance of the play. 

Rachel is a relatable character for many kids in her stubbornness, distractibility, and impatience, as well as her tender heart, imagination, and affection. Her insecurity about how her ADHD might impact her ability to remember lines is sensitively portrayed, and the stakes of the story are perfect for the elementary set. Playful illustrations by Genevieve Kote match Rachel’s energetic voice. 

As in the other Rachel Friedman books, Judaism is front and center. Rachel attends Hebrew school with her best friend, performs in the Purimspiel, makes mishloach manot with her family, and gets excited for the Purim carnival. Non-Jewish readers are brought up to speed through Rachel's assignment of recounting the Purim story and her talkative narration of the customs of Purim. The book highlights Jewish diversity, particularly in family structure: Rachel and her brother are raised by their single Dad while Maya is the daughter of two moms. Maya also mentions that many people don't think she is Jewish because she is Black, a sadly common experience rarely represented in books for the younger crowd. The book does a great job of showing the fun and excitement that Purim brings as well as its deeper meanings of community and Jewish pride. 

 

Overall, this short, sweet book will resonate as an independent reading book or a family read-aloud. Teachers will also welcome it for the opportunities it offers to discuss jealousy, bossy friendship dynamics, and how our behavior affects others. Recommended for ages 6-9. 

 

Editor's Note: This book was included on the Association of Jewish Libraries' Spring 2025 Holiday Highlights list.

 

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Reviewer Elizabeth Shaw is a library teacher for grades 1-4 at a Reform Jewish day school in New York and a former religious school teacher of kids from ages 5-12.