The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

The Judgement of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum Philomel Books (imprint of Penguin Books), 2024 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Amy Blaine Buy at Bookshop.org Have you ever read The Minister’s Black Veil by Nathanial Hawthorne? This short story came immediately to mind as I read Isaac Blum’s glowing second novel, The Judgement of Yoyo Gold . Stick with me here. In Hawthorne's story, a minister begins to wear a black veil for reasons unknown to his parishioners. Understandably, they get a little bit freaked out and suddenly it is assumed that everyone is hiding secrets and lies, changing behaviors and leading to harmful assumptions. The conclusion is “Lo, on every visage! A black veil.” Fast forward. Some time and distance from Puritanical New England, Yocheved “Yoyo” Gold is coming of age as both the daughter of a rabbi and of the age of technology. She feels that her whole life is a halacha lesson - “surplus halacha”. So when her best friend suddenly leaves for a boarding school in Las ...

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum Philomel (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2022 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Sarah Blattner Buy at Bookshop.org The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen opens with a flashback during the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Av, where the protagonist and narrator, Yehuda “Hoodie” Rosen proceeds to explain to the reader the first steps toward his ruination. Quickly, the reader is dropped into Hoodie’s world with long days of study at the Yeshiva. Right away, Hoodie’s sharp wit and sense of humor engages the reader, as he admires and characterizes his best friend, Moshe Tzvi, as someone who “makes you feel like an ignorant schmuck,” because of his Talmudic knowledge and acumen in text study and argumentation. While taking a walk during a break from his studies at the Yeshiva, Hoodie meets the captivating Anna-Marie Diaz-O’Leary, a gentile girl who also happens to be the mayor’s daughter. A forbidden friendship and affection ensues, where Hoodie crosses ...

She Persisted: Clara Lemlich by Deborah Heiligman, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint Philomel (imprint of Penguin Random House) Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Leah Cypess Buy at Bookshop.org She Persisted: Clara Lemlich is the latest entry in "She Persisted," a series of chapter books about women in history who made a difference. This book focuses on Clara Lemlich, a Jewish woman born in a small village in the Ukraine. After her family fled to the United States, poverty forced Clara to give up her dream of becoming a doctor in order to work in a clothing factory. However, the now-notorious conditions for workers in such factories -- especially female workers -- led Clara to become involved in union activities, including taking a key role in the largest strike of women in the history of the US.    This is an interesting, well-written book that is ideally suited for a younger middle grade audience. Difficult subjects, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist...