The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Lucky Penny by Aimee Lucido, illustrated by Jon Davis Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House Publishing), 2024 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Leah Cypess Buy at Bookshop.org When Penny (the girl) picks up a face-down penny (the coin), her best friend warns her that she’s in for a run of bad luck. Penny doesn’t believe it. She’s done a lot to ensure that she has a lucky day—a day that will hopefully end with her being chosen to blow the shofar at her school’s Rosh Hashanah picnic. But a cascade of disasters seems to prove that Penny’s luck really has gone bad. Can she turn it around? Penny’s earnest efforts and inevitable mishaps are authentic and fun to read about. The charming illustrations complement the story perfectly, making this a delighful—and definitely Jewish—chapter book. This fun, fast-moving story incorporates a number of Rosh Hashanah traditions, from shofar to honey cake to Tashlich, with a light but meaningful touch.  Ed. note: This early chapter book was i

Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucido Versify Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Rachel J. Fremmer Buy at Bookshop.org Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucio is not just tasty but also filling. Rebelling by embracing tradition, Hannah embarks on secret bat mitzvah lessons, given by her mother’s estranged rabbi sister. Hannah explores what being Jewish means to her as she compares herself to - and unwittingly judges - her friends and relatives of varying Jewish commitment, observance, and background. An antisemitic incident makes her further examine her Jewish identity. Using the framework of recipes - for friendship, for Judaism - for Hannah, who loves to bake, is effective.   Recipe for Disaster is a clear contender for the Sydney Taylor Book Award. Its portrayal of a daughter of an interfaith marriage, struggling with her Jewish identity, obviously meets the requirement for authentic portrayal of Jewish life. With its beautiful writing and authentic understanding of this age gr