The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

Ruth First Never Backed Down by Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Gabhor Utomo Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner Publishing Group), 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Jeanette Brod Buy at Bookshop.org In this picture book biography, Danielle Joseph tells a seminal story from her own birthplace in South Africa. Ruth First was a South African social justice warrior in the early days of the anti-apartheid movement. She was a journalist, writer, lecturer and professor who used her voice at great personal peril to speak out against racism and injustice. An illustration depicts a young Ruth eavesdropping on the anti-Black racism meetings that took place in her parents’ home. A teenage Ruth started a secret book club with friends to discuss inequality. In high school, Ruth goes public with her beliefs at protests. At university, she begins to write for the college newspaper and meets others, including Nelson Mandela, who will become leaders in the anti-apartheid movement. Ruth’s early i...

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 Buy at Bookshop.org 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 tru...