The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

The Secret of the Dragon Gems by Chris Baron & Rajani Larocca, illustrated by Sam Dawson Yellow Jacket (imprint of Simon and Schuster), 2023 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Stacy Mozer Buy at Bookshop.org When Sam and Tripti find two special rocks during a meteor shower at sleepaway camp, they cannot imagine how life changing the moment will be for both of them and the "rocks" they've found. But Sam and Tripti are not the only ones interested in the rocks. The sleepaway camp owner, Sanford P. Dilloway, is also after the stones and he has his mind set on getting them. As Sam and Tripti learn more about the mysteriously active stones, which they've named Jasper and Opal after the living rocks in their favorite book series, The Dragon Gems, they also learn more about each other and what it means to be a true friend.  While Judaism is not the main focus of this book, it is woven into each of Sam's communications. Sam's Bubbe is an important supporting charact...

Shabbat Sabotage by Emma Carlson Berne Yellow Jacket (imprint of Little Bee  Books), 2022 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Sandy Wasserman Buy at Bookshop.org This is one of the most uplifting Jewish camp books I've ever read! Camp Shalom, where it takes place, is a girls' camp but the object lessons in the plot are universal. The 11 year olds arriving on Day One do not know each other, some do not want to be there, and there's a bit of edgy unfriendliness as they size each other up upon arrival at their cabin. But what they don't know is that some of the girls have secrets, and so a mystery develops. Someone can't swim, and someone steals a kiddush cup and candlesticks for a very unusual reason, and someone is way more homesick than anyone else. There is just enough of a hint along the way to surmise the identity of the thief, but the story keeps the reader guessing. In the end, the girls solve the mystery and help each other overcome their personal problems and fe...

The $150,000 Rugelach by Allison and Wayne Marks, illustrated by Ariel Landy Yellow Jacket (imprint of Little Bee Books) Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Judith S. Greenblatt   Buy at Bookshop.org   Jillian Mermelstein and Jack Fineman both love to bake, and they are both Jewish, but Jillian is somber, while Jack is a goofy extrovert. Their similarities and their differences are the key elements in this charming, well-told tale. The story revolves around a baking contest that will garner much publicity as well a $150,000 prize. Will Jack’s parent’s let him enter? Will Jill allow her story to be told? And will they go along with the villainous plans of creator of the contest, Phineas Farnsworth III? You will guess the outcome, but there are many smiles along the way. Among the other well drawn characters are the back-up players, Jack’s parents and brother, Jill’s father, and especially her grandmother. The path to the prize is strewn with lies, half-truths a...