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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Wow an incredible book. Every person should be reminded of is message.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
read this very quickly, reread this today (read it in year8)
its a YA book but i enjoyed the writing style and think people should read it. has good message
its a YA book but i enjoyed the writing style and think people should read it. has good message
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Antisemitism
I didn't really like it and couldn't quite figure out why, because the topic is very interesting and important. I read in another review that the target audience is probably younger kids, like 12-13, and I think that may be the biggest reason why I didn't enjoy it. Also, I really didn't like the stuff with Lottie's eating problems, if you can even call it that? A couple of times throughout the story it is mentioned that Lottie's parents worry about her eating too little, but it's never really elaborated on, even though she's one of the main characters. Eating disorders are a serious topic and if you're not going to elaborate on them properly with the attention it deserves, you shouldn't put them in the story at all imo.
This was a really good book. Very easy-to-read, and discussed Judaism and Jewishness in a way that was very accessible for any reader. The own voices perspective was great and I loved the 'true' part of the story and how it complimented the fiction. I'd recommend this to any young teen or older as a small insight into Jewish life.
I didn't really like it and couldn't quite figure out why, because the topic is very interesting and important. I read in another review that the target audience is probably younger kids, like 12-13, and I think that may be the biggest reason why I didn't enjoy it. Also, I really didn't like the stuff with Lottie's eating problems, if you can even call it that? A couple of times throughout the story it is mentioned that Lottie's parents worry about her eating too little, but it's never really elaborated on, even though she's one of the main characters. Eating disorders are a serious topic and if you're not going to elaborate on them properly with the attention it deserves, you shouldn't put them in the story at all imo.
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
This is a difficult book to place. The mains story feels like it's suitable for the younger end of the YA age range but there are sections, particularly about the experience of Jews in WWII that were matter of fact and didn't shy away from the horrific realities of what happened. A well thought out and unflinching tale of hate, learning and acceptance, I would recommend this to younger readers, particularly if reading alongside someone they can ask questions to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, War
Moderate: Grief
Book #10 of the year; Keren David’s What We’re Scared Of. Published by @scholastic_uk, Keren David’s latest is a dual narrative, the story of sisters Lottie and Evie following their mother’s promotion to present a prime time breakfast radio show. Lottie is quiet and focused, while Evie is more gregarious and outgoing.
Though they’re aware of their Jewish heritage, it doesn’t deeply inform their lives until their mother discusses anti-semitism on her radio show. Suddenly they’re faced with online trolls and a brick is thrown through their window. Lottie begins to explore her religion further, aided by new friend Hannah, while Evie finds herself involved with taking on the trolls directly.
Interspersed throughout with real testimony from survivors of the Holocaust and children who were part of the Kindertransport, What We’re Scared of is a taut and tense book that I absolutely raced through. It highlights the dangers of extremism across the spectrum in a nuanced way, and the feminist thread that ran through it was also woven in very well. The family and friendship relationships were all well drawn, and were the good for what was an incredibly engaging read.
Though they’re aware of their Jewish heritage, it doesn’t deeply inform their lives until their mother discusses anti-semitism on her radio show. Suddenly they’re faced with online trolls and a brick is thrown through their window. Lottie begins to explore her religion further, aided by new friend Hannah, while Evie finds herself involved with taking on the trolls directly.
Interspersed throughout with real testimony from survivors of the Holocaust and children who were part of the Kindertransport, What We’re Scared of is a taut and tense book that I absolutely raced through. It highlights the dangers of extremism across the spectrum in a nuanced way, and the feminist thread that ran through it was also woven in very well. The family and friendship relationships were all well drawn, and were the good for what was an incredibly engaging read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
I believe the storyline could’ve been a bit further developed, eg exploring hannah’s issues with patriarchy and orthodox judaism a bit further, possibly hannah & lottie attending a reform shul, or having an in depth conversation about it at least - it gets touched on but isn’t really talked about which is sad. similarly - as much as i disliked them, i wish the friends would’ve reappeared as perpetrators or at least sent an apology - just something (although it’s powerful they don’t do anything either). i’m probably spoiled here with my last few reads with examples of great lit, and i think with some polishing this could’ve been brilliant. it was so so needed though, and absolutely achieved what it set out to do. the way the book was structured served the way of showing how different jews can be jews so so perfectly. couldn’t put it down, i loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism