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Recipe for Disaster: A Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Novel in Verse About Jewish Identity for Kids
In this heartfelt middle school drama, Hannah's schemes for throwing her own bat mitzvah unleash family secrets, create rivalries with best friends, and ultimately teach Hannah what being Jewish is all about.With a delicious mix of prose, poetry, and recipes, this hybrid novel is another fresh, thoughtful, and accessible Versify novel that is cookin’. - New York Times Best-Selling Author Kwame Alexander Hannah Malfa-Adler is Jew . . . ish. Not that she really thinks about it. She'd prefer to focus on her favorite baking delicious food! But when her best friend has a beyond-awesome Bat Mitzvah, Hannah starts to feel a little envious ...and a little left out. Despite her parents firm no, Hannah knows that if she can learn enough about her own faith, she can convince her friends that the party is still in motion. As the secrets mount, a few are bound to explode. When they do, Hannah learns that being Jewish isn't about having a big party and a fancy dress and a first kiss -- it's about actually being Jewish. Most importantly, Hannah realizes that the only person's permission she needs to be Jewish, is her own.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2021
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665 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
July 18, 2021
This book is a must read for anyone grappling with their Jewish identity, children who have one Jewish and one non-Jewish parent, or anyone searching for the meaning behind becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Hannah and her brother Sam love baking all of the traditional Jewish desserts with their Grandma Mimi -- rugelach, sufganiyot, macaroons, babka, and more. (Note: Buy a paper copy of this book. You are going to want it for the recipes.) After her best friend Shira's Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides she wants to have one too. Unfortunately, her mother has decided she is no longer Jewish and refuses to allow it. Hannah sets off with the help of Grandma Mimi and her Aunt Yael the Rabbi to prepare for her own Bat Mitzvah. Along the way she both makes and loses friends, and risks alienating both friends and family. This is an excellent exploration of what it truly means to be Jewish. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
September 30, 2021
What a fantastic middle-grade book about a 12 year-old girl figuring out her Jewish identity! 5 stars. Recipe for Disaster is charming and age-appropriate, but deals effectively with difficult real-world topics and doesn't shy away from complexity. It was both entertaining to me as an adult and a fulfilling exploration of this subject- and again, somehow still age-appropriate! That's a lot to accomplish in one little book.
It was also so much fun to read. Our protagonist Hannah is full of life; she's passionate about baking, loves her friends and family, and feels a tug toward her Jewish roots that she wants to explore. I enjoyed spending time with Hannah in all her imperfection. She remained likeable even as she made some significant missteps with friends that required sincere apologies, a skill that at twelve, she is still mastering. (We do get a Recipe for an Apology that we would all do well to follow, and which nicely ties in with the Jewish themes.)
Some of the people in Hannah's life - Grandma Mimi being a wonderful exception- are struggling themselves in their own relationship to Judaism and having a "Jew-ish" friend or child. This drives the plot forward. It is also painful; one Good Reads reviewer called out many of the characters for being narrow, wrong, and even anger-inducing. To which I say: Yes! That is the point of the book. Even Hannah herself is sometimes narrow and wrong and needs to apologize. Sadly, I did find these adults (and children) to be realistic. These are real perspectives that the Jewish community wrestles with and that real people often fumble; even I found myself having reactions that I'm not necessarily proud of. To me, these are all strengths of this novel and proof of its relevance. I would also add that the resolutions may not be perfect- just as real-life resolutions are rarely perfect- but they are heartfelt and authentic, and marked by real learning and growth, which was satisfying to me as a reader. I truly hope that many people, especially Jewish children, find their way to this book and find sustenance in it.
But this review has gone on too long without acknowledging one of the biggest strengths of the novel: The creative formatting. Aimee Lucido keeps her plot zipping along quickly, utilizing recipes (both for food and for life), verse, prose, and bits of Torah portions to tell her story. It's beautiful, fun, and oh so effective. The recipes are a real-highlight! They made me want to try to bake. But I especially loved the use of Torah portions and how the main character's study gave her the opportunity to reflect and learn in ways that weren't immediately obvious from the portion itself. It mirrored the way Torah study is taught in many b'nei mitzvah classes and felt authentic, and added depth to the novel. (Hannah's pull toward Judaism also was well-rendered.)
Aimee Lucido is really a masterful writer. I will have to check out her first novel, the acclaimed Emmy in the Key of Code, and keep up with her, even if I am no longer a middle grader myself.
It was also so much fun to read. Our protagonist Hannah is full of life; she's passionate about baking, loves her friends and family, and feels a tug toward her Jewish roots that she wants to explore. I enjoyed spending time with Hannah in all her imperfection. She remained likeable even as she made some significant missteps with friends that required sincere apologies, a skill that at twelve, she is still mastering. (We do get a Recipe for an Apology that we would all do well to follow, and which nicely ties in with the Jewish themes.)
Some of the people in Hannah's life - Grandma Mimi being a wonderful exception- are struggling themselves in their own relationship to Judaism and having a "Jew-ish" friend or child. This drives the plot forward. It is also painful; one Good Reads reviewer called out many of the characters for being narrow, wrong, and even anger-inducing. To which I say: Yes! That is the point of the book. Even Hannah herself is sometimes narrow and wrong and needs to apologize. Sadly, I did find these adults (and children) to be realistic. These are real perspectives that the Jewish community wrestles with and that real people often fumble; even I found myself having reactions that I'm not necessarily proud of. To me, these are all strengths of this novel and proof of its relevance. I would also add that the resolutions may not be perfect- just as real-life resolutions are rarely perfect- but they are heartfelt and authentic, and marked by real learning and growth, which was satisfying to me as a reader. I truly hope that many people, especially Jewish children, find their way to this book and find sustenance in it.
But this review has gone on too long without acknowledging one of the biggest strengths of the novel: The creative formatting. Aimee Lucido keeps her plot zipping along quickly, utilizing recipes (both for food and for life), verse, prose, and bits of Torah portions to tell her story. It's beautiful, fun, and oh so effective. The recipes are a real-highlight! They made me want to try to bake. But I especially loved the use of Torah portions and how the main character's study gave her the opportunity to reflect and learn in ways that weren't immediately obvious from the portion itself. It mirrored the way Torah study is taught in many b'nei mitzvah classes and felt authentic, and added depth to the novel. (Hannah's pull toward Judaism also was well-rendered.)
Aimee Lucido is really a masterful writer. I will have to check out her first novel, the acclaimed Emmy in the Key of Code, and keep up with her, even if I am no longer a middle grader myself.
October 26, 2025
This was cute and had some great themes about forgiveness and family, but there was something in the religious themes that I’m not sure I understood correctly or maybe that were portrayed in a way that aren’t completely sound. It was overall a fun read though!
January 12, 2022
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Recipe for Disaster is actually a mostly-prose novel with some poetry and recipes mixed in (often the poems are also in the form of recipes). The result meant that it was a bit hard to judge next to the other Cybils verse novels - but, still, the combination is both fun and effective! The story centers around Hannah, who has always considered herself Jewish(ish) but doesn't quite know what that means for herself. Her father isn't Jewish. Her mother was raised Jewish but has since left the faith, but Hannah's grandmother insists that being Jewish is passed down through mothers, so that makes Hannah Jewish anyway. Hannah herself doesn't know exactly what to think. But when her best friend has a bat-mitvah, Hannah decides she wants to have one too--much to the surprise of some and the dismay of others. The book explores many of the prejudices from both inside and outside the Jewish faith and the ways in which we judge each other. I actually loved that Hannah not only found herself on the receiving end of that prejudice, but she found herself making her own judgments as well. It shows how easily we can fall into these sorts of traps. And the theme of jealousy is something that any middle grade reader can relate to from time-to-time. So, I recommend this book for just about any middle grade reader!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Recipe for Disaster is actually a mostly-prose novel with some poetry and recipes mixed in (often the poems are also in the form of recipes). The result meant that it was a bit hard to judge next to the other Cybils verse novels - but, still, the combination is both fun and effective! The story centers around Hannah, who has always considered herself Jewish(ish) but doesn't quite know what that means for herself. Her father isn't Jewish. Her mother was raised Jewish but has since left the faith, but Hannah's grandmother insists that being Jewish is passed down through mothers, so that makes Hannah Jewish anyway. Hannah herself doesn't know exactly what to think. But when her best friend has a bat-mitvah, Hannah decides she wants to have one too--much to the surprise of some and the dismay of others. The book explores many of the prejudices from both inside and outside the Jewish faith and the ways in which we judge each other. I actually loved that Hannah not only found herself on the receiving end of that prejudice, but she found herself making her own judgments as well. It shows how easily we can fall into these sorts of traps. And the theme of jealousy is something that any middle grade reader can relate to from time-to-time. So, I recommend this book for just about any middle grade reader!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
February 27, 2023
I found this book disappointing. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but I thought all the characters, save maybe Grandma Mimi, had very narrow perspectives on things. It really bothered me when Hannah's mom declares she cannot have a Bat Mitzvah because her mother does not practice Judaism and she declares that she gets to pick her child's religion. Hannah is going to be thirteen, I think that allows her to explore her heritage without being hampered by her family's views, whether her parents agree or not.
I did like the recipes Hannah disperses throughout the book about her friendship and her aunt, etc. I thought those were clever but overall this book just made me sad and angry. I struggled to finish it.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
I did like the recipes Hannah disperses throughout the book about her friendship and her aunt, etc. I thought those were clever but overall this book just made me sad and angry. I struggled to finish it.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
March 19, 2022
LOVE LOVE LOVE! It is often so difficult to find a book with a truly genuine Jewish character and/or story. And I love that this story surround the Bat Mitzvah since it brought back so many memories for myself. This book is about Hannah who is Jew-ish. Her Grandmother is Jewish and cooks any and every Jewish meal and dessert you can think of. Her mother is Jewish but doesn't really practice or talk about it often. After her best friend has the whole Bat Mitzvah experience, Hannah feels like she is missing out. She's technically Jewish, what about her? So she decides to have a Bat Mitzvah (without her mother's okay). But she soon realizes that this journey is going to be a lot more than just learning some hebrew. Is she Jewish? What does it truly mean to be Jewish? What does she really want from this experience? It is quite a journey indeed. This book touches on a lot of tough subjects including friendship, family, grief, and self-discovery. Highly recommend!! And as the author says "everyone, at one point or another, questions who they are. And this means none of us question alone.
December 15, 2021
‘Recipe for Disaster’ by Aimee Lucido is a heartwarming, deliciously enjoyable book about the beauty and trouble that come with family, food, and religion, to name but a few themes. When Hannah goes to Shira’s Bat Mitzvah, she intends to be happy for her best friend. Everything goes wrong, though, when everyone, including Shira, claims that Hannah isn’t really Jewish. She doesn’t practice Judaism or go to Hebrew School, or come to synagogue on Saturdays. This begins to irk Hannah to no end, and she decides, then and there at Shira’s Bat Mitzvah party, that she is going to have a Bat Mitzvah. Mostly she does it out of spite for Shira not believing she could do it, but as she gets more and more into the idea, she comes to really love it. She starts studying with her Aunt Yael, her mother’s sister, who so happens to be the rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom where Shira had her Bat Mitzvah. The problem is that Hannah’s mom doesn’t want anything to do with Yael, her sister. Something happened between them years ago that has effectively ended their relationship, and Hannah is determined to do something to fix it, even though she doesn’t know what the trouble is and how to truly mend it.
Hannah’s grandmother, Mimi, lives with Hannah’s family, and while Mimi, Hannah, and her brother, Sam, are always baking rugelach, babka, challah, and other delicious Jewish foods, even her own family jokes that they aren’t really Jewish. Hannah wants to change this, so she starts taking Hebrew and Bat Mitzvah lessons with Aunt Yael. In the meantime, she grows in many ways, yet finds herself further than ever from having a relationship with her best friend, Shira. They can’t find a way to bridge the gap between what they believe about Judaism, so Hannah finds a new friend in the meantime, Vee.
When Hannah finds out something interesting about Vee, she mistakenly treats her poorly, much in the way she has been treated when people question her Judaism. She feels terribly, but Vee makes it clear that an apology must be real, and it must be done correctly, meaning that the person who is apologizing fully intends to make it right and never have it happen again.
While relationships suffer as the story goes on, Hannah’s love of Judaism and what it means to her grows substantially. She learns about “tikkun olam,” or “repairing the world,” and she knows that it isn’t just about her, but about how she can help others to make peace as well.
Aimee Lucido has done a fantastic job having her characters ask the questions that are constantly on people’s minds. From “What does it mean to be Jewish?” to “If I didn’t convert, but I do Jewish things and think Jewishly, why am I not Jewish enough?” to “Is being Jewish just about your mother being Jewish first?” there are so many more questions to be discussed. All of the characters find their own truth and work together to engage in apologies that are long overdue. The story is one of growth, not only of each individual’s character, but of the value of conversation to truly understand different perspectives. The story is quick and easy to read, interspersing narration, recipes, and enough questions and answers to get any reader thinking. Highly recommended!
Beth Rodgers, Author of ‘Welcome to Chanu-Con!,’ a Children's Picture Book, and ‘Freshman Fourteen’ and ‘Sweet Fifteen,’ Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Hannah’s grandmother, Mimi, lives with Hannah’s family, and while Mimi, Hannah, and her brother, Sam, are always baking rugelach, babka, challah, and other delicious Jewish foods, even her own family jokes that they aren’t really Jewish. Hannah wants to change this, so she starts taking Hebrew and Bat Mitzvah lessons with Aunt Yael. In the meantime, she grows in many ways, yet finds herself further than ever from having a relationship with her best friend, Shira. They can’t find a way to bridge the gap between what they believe about Judaism, so Hannah finds a new friend in the meantime, Vee.
When Hannah finds out something interesting about Vee, she mistakenly treats her poorly, much in the way she has been treated when people question her Judaism. She feels terribly, but Vee makes it clear that an apology must be real, and it must be done correctly, meaning that the person who is apologizing fully intends to make it right and never have it happen again.
While relationships suffer as the story goes on, Hannah’s love of Judaism and what it means to her grows substantially. She learns about “tikkun olam,” or “repairing the world,” and she knows that it isn’t just about her, but about how she can help others to make peace as well.
Aimee Lucido has done a fantastic job having her characters ask the questions that are constantly on people’s minds. From “What does it mean to be Jewish?” to “If I didn’t convert, but I do Jewish things and think Jewishly, why am I not Jewish enough?” to “Is being Jewish just about your mother being Jewish first?” there are so many more questions to be discussed. All of the characters find their own truth and work together to engage in apologies that are long overdue. The story is one of growth, not only of each individual’s character, but of the value of conversation to truly understand different perspectives. The story is quick and easy to read, interspersing narration, recipes, and enough questions and answers to get any reader thinking. Highly recommended!
Beth Rodgers, Author of ‘Welcome to Chanu-Con!,’ a Children's Picture Book, and ‘Freshman Fourteen’ and ‘Sweet Fifteen,’ Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
November 1, 2021
This was so cute. It's a middle grade own voices Jewish book that is centered around a almost 13-year-old who has one Jewish parent and one Catholic parent. Hannah and her family do not practice Judaism, except for her grandma. Her mother has some extreme views about the religion and is estranged from her sister, Hannah's aunt, and there's a lot of tension and family drama there. Hannah's dad is Catholic. But she gets a lot of exposure to Judaism from her grandma and a big part of that is through food. I love books with food in them so much and this one did not disappoint there's a ton of cooking and baking along with recipes. A lot of discussions about how we show our love through food and how we connect to other people and other experiences and our own lived experiences all through food.
Anyway beyond that, Hannah is best friend just had her bat mitzvah and Hannah starts to feel jealous. She wants to have her own and so she begins to figure out a way to convince her parents to allow her to have a bat mitzvah and things kind of take a turn. Hannah has to figure out what Judaism means to her and what being Jewish means for herself.
I am personally not Jewish, I am an atheist, and so I don't want to speak to the actual Jewish rep but from what I've seen from other reviewers and also from the author's note, this is a super important book for middle grade kids and especially any kid who is sort of grappling with their Jewish identity. The book isn't super long and the narrator did a very good job of sounding like a preteen, which was something. I don't want to say that it was annoying because this is literally a middle grade book and I am a grown ass adult but yeah they do a very good job at providing an authentic preteen vocal experience. So do with that what you will.
CW: family tension, religious trauma, death of a loved one, internalized and external antisemitism
Anyway beyond that, Hannah is best friend just had her bat mitzvah and Hannah starts to feel jealous. She wants to have her own and so she begins to figure out a way to convince her parents to allow her to have a bat mitzvah and things kind of take a turn. Hannah has to figure out what Judaism means to her and what being Jewish means for herself.
I am personally not Jewish, I am an atheist, and so I don't want to speak to the actual Jewish rep but from what I've seen from other reviewers and also from the author's note, this is a super important book for middle grade kids and especially any kid who is sort of grappling with their Jewish identity. The book isn't super long and the narrator did a very good job of sounding like a preteen, which was something. I don't want to say that it was annoying because this is literally a middle grade book and I am a grown ass adult but yeah they do a very good job at providing an authentic preteen vocal experience. So do with that what you will.
CW: family tension, religious trauma, death of a loved one, internalized and external antisemitism
March 16, 2021
Twelve-year-old Hannah considers herself Jew... ish. But her best friend has a fabulous Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides that she wants a Bat Mitzvah of her own. Things are more complicated than Hannah realizes--not only is it a Bat Mitzvah a lot of work, she meets resistance within her family, as her mother does not practice and does not want Hannah to, either.
This is one of those books that defies description. It is both fast-paced yet deep, funny and thought-provoking, and had me laughing and crying as I read. Lucido hooked me within the first few pages. I loved Hannah and her family--especially her grandmother. Hannah's friendship struggles are real and relatable--and feel very true. The story is told through prose, poetry, and recipes and it's absolutely delightful. Highly recommended!
This is one of those books that defies description. It is both fast-paced yet deep, funny and thought-provoking, and had me laughing and crying as I read. Lucido hooked me within the first few pages. I loved Hannah and her family--especially her grandmother. Hannah's friendship struggles are real and relatable--and feel very true. The story is told through prose, poetry, and recipes and it's absolutely delightful. Highly recommended!
December 30, 2022
I loved everything about this. I've noticed that I sometimes have a hard time with YA, especially when romance is involved, but I loved the age range of this book and *especially* the focus on friendship - maybe that's the type of relationship book I really really want to read??
I thought this book did a great job covering a wide range of topics, including many with a lot of maturity - different types of Jews and Judaism, grief, many type of relationships (among family and friends), growing up... just a lot. Also there was a bit of a plot twist (or two) at the end that I genuinely did not see coming and really added to the story to me!
I thought this book did a great job covering a wide range of topics, including many with a lot of maturity - different types of Jews and Judaism, grief, many type of relationships (among family and friends), growing up... just a lot. Also there was a bit of a plot twist (or two) at the end that I genuinely did not see coming and really added to the story to me!
December 2, 2021
Even though I am not Jewish, I could relate to this book on many levels! We, as the human race, are so "good" at judging and categorizing one another. This story encourages us to try to mend relationships the best we can, even if it seems impossible. The author cleverly mixed recipes for treats and relationship. A big A plus!
January 3, 2022
This was so amazingly adorable! I did not want to put this down, and it just flew by. A story I didn't think I'd completely love, but was short and I could feel a bit better about not hitting my initial reading goal by finishing it.
And I am glad I chose this one.
Seriously, I was crying and laughing and I definitely have a few new recipes courtesy of Grandma MiMi to try out.
A book I never heard of before, to possibly a new favorite. I highly recommend this one.
And I am glad I chose this one.
Seriously, I was crying and laughing and I definitely have a few new recipes courtesy of Grandma MiMi to try out.
A book I never heard of before, to possibly a new favorite. I highly recommend this one.
January 15, 2022
Beautiful exploration of religion, friendship, family, and identity.
November 18, 2021
I love this! I think this one is a sleeper that should be getting more attention. And the author's note made me cry.
I put this in as a novel in verse but it isn't entirely. It's actually got a great format to it...some recipes (mostly real, but the occasional for-a-best-friend variety) with some verse and a lot of prose. Has a nice flow, it really feels like being in Hannah's head.
The conversations the characters in this book have around faith and family feel very real and not always easy. There'a a LOT of people telling other people how to feel, which isn't okay but happens in life a LOT and Hannah gets to deal with that from both sides. There's a ton of reality to the relationships in this book and a new twist on the fighting with my best friend so make a new best friend middle grade trope. But in the end, it's about Hannah (and others!) figuring out who she is and what she believes and being able to stand on her own two feet. The author's note about those of us not knowing where we fit in not being alone is perfect and I love books where characters get to actually struggle and wrestle with questions of faith in a way that isn't about converting anyone...there are not nearly enough of those books in the world. A great book! I want her other one now.
I put this in as a novel in verse but it isn't entirely. It's actually got a great format to it...some recipes (mostly real, but the occasional for-a-best-friend variety) with some verse and a lot of prose. Has a nice flow, it really feels like being in Hannah's head.
The conversations the characters in this book have around faith and family feel very real and not always easy. There'a a LOT of people telling other people how to feel, which isn't okay but happens in life a LOT and Hannah gets to deal with that from both sides. There's a ton of reality to the relationships in this book and a new twist on the fighting with my best friend so make a new best friend middle grade trope. But in the end, it's about Hannah (and others!) figuring out who she is and what she believes and being able to stand on her own two feet. The author's note about those of us not knowing where we fit in not being alone is perfect and I love books where characters get to actually struggle and wrestle with questions of faith in a way that isn't about converting anyone...there are not nearly enough of those books in the world. A great book! I want her other one now.
November 17, 2025
This was a completely random pick, and a sweet surprise! The cover/title were cute enough that the book caught my eye (offered up in a LittleFreeLibrary) and when I checked the ratings/reviews, it seemed overwhelmingly positive. Even with the physical book in hand, I borrowed the Kindle copy and audiobook from the library (limited availability, even Audible doesn't carry the audio!) I have to mention, the audio was GREAT, very talented narrator ( Gail Shalan) with the various voices.
This has the "verse" presentation that I've noticed becoming popular ... a single word/header, then text, often with a lot of white space (looking at it, like free verse poetry). Many of the chapters were the usual paragraphs, others had unique spacing (falling, one letter per line to SHOW falling) and then there were recipes ... both actual recipes (in text, these look more like recipe cards, handwritten font, some pictures, some hand drawn changes to the original recipe) and then more unique recipes ... for a family, for a friendship, for winter ... as mentioned, the audio is wonderful, but the text presentation, spacing, etc is unique too, so I was glad I also had the book to look at (can be seen in the Kindle copy as well).
If you've seen the movie/musical "Waitress" ... as a recipe (real or imagery) was read, it reminded me of the "pie recipes" the main character would stop and list ingredients.
I'd read the blub, so I knew going into this Judaism was central to the story ... not being Jewish myself, or knowing much beyond what I've seen in popular shows (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Sex and the City, Seinfeld) and basic knowledge, I started to wonder if this might just be TOO Jewish for my interest? I was really glad I stuck it out. So many things to think about, things that could apply to many different religions, family/friend relationships, etc. And I think I came away with a little more knowledge about Judaism too.
1st person, all from 12-year old Hannah's POV. Present tense
Two main portions, Fall & Winter ... I highlighted the "chapter headers" ... the word/phrase to introduce the "chapter" some being paragraphs, some poems, recipes, at times, just one or two sentences.
Fall Rugelach Recipe for a Best Friendship Hair Family Hebrew As Usual Kiddush Recipe for a Bat Mitzvah After-Party The Best Night of Our Lives Recipe for Jeremy Brewer Brownies Firsts Jeremy Brewer The New Recipe for Jeremy Brewer Brownies Her Way Jew-ish Roots Uprooted Commitment The Big Book of What’s Cooking Piecrust Pretty Please Pie Eavesdropping Icing No Thank You Pie Point of No Return Sour Proceeding as Unusual Victoria Recipe for Victoria Valuable Friendless Frying Delicate Recipe for the Bat Mitzvah That I Tell Everyone About Aunt Yael Recipe for Aunt Yael Ingredients in a Bat Mitzvah Keeping My Cool The Letter Studying Getting Along The Final Straw
Winter Sufganiyot The Light Leviticus 25:1–4 Rote The Fight Recipe for My New Life Leviticus 25:5–7 The Best Relationships Buttermilk Biscuits Watermelon Jelly Recipe for Family Secrets Strudel Pescacide Leviticus 25:8–9 Forgiveness Recipe for Catching My Mother Off-Guard Betrayal Leviticus 25:10–14 Jubilee Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe for Christmas Dinner The Gift Engraving Happy New Year! Baklava Countdown Back to School Recipe for Back to School Snickerdoodles A Great Year Right So Right Wrong So Wrong So, So Wrong Wrong, Wrong, Wrong Recipe for Hate The Symbol Imagined Dear Students, Not Enough Recipe for Falling . . . Falling . . . . . . Falling . . . Fallen And So And So And So Funeral Shiva Sitting Shiva Vinegar Baking Soda Boom. The Truth Not Alone Traitor Recipe for Winter
This has the "verse" presentation that I've noticed becoming popular ... a single word/header, then text, often with a lot of white space (looking at it, like free verse poetry). Many of the chapters were the usual paragraphs, others had unique spacing (falling, one letter per line to SHOW falling) and then there were recipes ... both actual recipes (in text, these look more like recipe cards, handwritten font, some pictures, some hand drawn changes to the original recipe) and then more unique recipes ... for a family, for a friendship, for winter ... as mentioned, the audio is wonderful, but the text presentation, spacing, etc is unique too, so I was glad I also had the book to look at (can be seen in the Kindle copy as well).
If you've seen the movie/musical "Waitress" ... as a recipe (real or imagery) was read, it reminded me of the "pie recipes" the main character would stop and list ingredients.
I'd read the blub, so I knew going into this Judaism was central to the story ... not being Jewish myself, or knowing much beyond what I've seen in popular shows (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Sex and the City, Seinfeld) and basic knowledge, I started to wonder if this might just be TOO Jewish for my interest? I was really glad I stuck it out. So many things to think about, things that could apply to many different religions, family/friend relationships, etc. And I think I came away with a little more knowledge about Judaism too.
1st person, all from 12-year old Hannah's POV. Present tense
Two main portions, Fall & Winter ... I highlighted the "chapter headers" ... the word/phrase to introduce the "chapter" some being paragraphs, some poems, recipes, at times, just one or two sentences.
Fall Rugelach Recipe for a Best Friendship Hair Family Hebrew As Usual Kiddush Recipe for a Bat Mitzvah After-Party The Best Night of Our Lives Recipe for Jeremy Brewer Brownies Firsts Jeremy Brewer The New Recipe for Jeremy Brewer Brownies Her Way Jew-ish Roots Uprooted Commitment The Big Book of What’s Cooking Piecrust Pretty Please Pie Eavesdropping Icing No Thank You Pie Point of No Return Sour Proceeding as Unusual Victoria Recipe for Victoria Valuable Friendless Frying Delicate Recipe for the Bat Mitzvah That I Tell Everyone About Aunt Yael Recipe for Aunt Yael Ingredients in a Bat Mitzvah Keeping My Cool The Letter Studying Getting Along The Final Straw
Winter Sufganiyot The Light Leviticus 25:1–4 Rote The Fight Recipe for My New Life Leviticus 25:5–7 The Best Relationships Buttermilk Biscuits Watermelon Jelly Recipe for Family Secrets Strudel Pescacide Leviticus 25:8–9 Forgiveness Recipe for Catching My Mother Off-Guard Betrayal Leviticus 25:10–14 Jubilee Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes Recipe for Christmas Dinner The Gift Engraving Happy New Year! Baklava Countdown Back to School Recipe for Back to School Snickerdoodles A Great Year Right So Right Wrong So Wrong So, So Wrong Wrong, Wrong, Wrong Recipe for Hate The Symbol Imagined Dear Students, Not Enough Recipe for Falling . . . Falling . . . . . . Falling . . . Fallen And So And So And So Funeral Shiva Sitting Shiva Vinegar Baking Soda Boom. The Truth Not Alone Traitor Recipe for Winter
December 20, 2022
Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucido is a middle grade fictional novel about a girl discovering her identity as a Jew. The story takes place in Chicago and is told from the perspective of Hannah. The most prominent thing about Hannah is her love of baking. As a matter of fact, throughout the book, different parts of the story are told through a recipe. When talking about her family, she creates a recipe and states, “Mix together one (1) Mom named Liat… who works as a biology professor at the university across from my school and one (1) Dad… who works as a financial something-or-other. Bake in Chicago for six years…and add one (1) baby boy named Samuel…Bake for five more years and add one (1) baby girl named Hannah…bake for five more years before adding one (1) Grandma Mimi…who will put a whisk in Sam’s hand and a spatula in mine and it will feel like they’ve been there all along” (1-2). From these first two pages, we learn about Hannah’s family and who started her love of baking and cooking. We also learn that although Hannah is technically jewish (her mom is Jewish, her dad isn’t), her family doesn’t practice judaism. They refer to themselves as jew-ish. That is, until Hannah decides she wants to have a bat mitzvah after attending her best friends’ bat mitzvah. Throughout the story, the reader can witness Hannah struggling to not only find herself in the jewish community, but find a way to prove to herself, her best friend, and her parents that she isn’t jew-ish, but jewish.
Aimee Lucido does an incredible job of painting Hannah’s struggles. She describes how her parents didn’t offer support while also narrating the support of Grandma Mimi. I could feel what Hannah was feeling as her parents let her down time after time and I could feel the determination that Hannah felt when she decided she would have a Bat Mitzvah no matter what. Aimee is amazing at having the readers feel what the character is feeling. When Shira blurts out that “Of course Hannah isn’t having a bat mitzvah! Hannah’s not really jewish. Right, Hannah?” (35), I could feel the betrayal, embarrassment, and sadness that overcame Hannah.
One way that Aimee emphasizes Hannah and Sam’s love for cooking and baking is when a class assignment tasks Hannah to talk about her most treasured item and she talks about, “The Big Book of What’s Cooking. It’s this book of recipes my grandmother’s been collecting since she was little. We cook something from there practically every day” (70). She continues to go into detail about some of the recipes and how there are jewish recipes along with different cakes, cookies, and more.
I found it really interesting how Aimee Lucido wrote this story. In a collection of recipes, paragraphs, and stanzas, there was always a surprise when I turned the page. It was also really cool how in-depth some of the recipes were and I am definitely going to be trying to make the Sufganiyot and Babka. Overall, I really enjoyed re-reading this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in baking, coming-of-age stories, and anyone interested in a fun new book format.
Aimee Lucido does an incredible job of painting Hannah’s struggles. She describes how her parents didn’t offer support while also narrating the support of Grandma Mimi. I could feel what Hannah was feeling as her parents let her down time after time and I could feel the determination that Hannah felt when she decided she would have a Bat Mitzvah no matter what. Aimee is amazing at having the readers feel what the character is feeling. When Shira blurts out that “Of course Hannah isn’t having a bat mitzvah! Hannah’s not really jewish. Right, Hannah?” (35), I could feel the betrayal, embarrassment, and sadness that overcame Hannah.
One way that Aimee emphasizes Hannah and Sam’s love for cooking and baking is when a class assignment tasks Hannah to talk about her most treasured item and she talks about, “The Big Book of What’s Cooking. It’s this book of recipes my grandmother’s been collecting since she was little. We cook something from there practically every day” (70). She continues to go into detail about some of the recipes and how there are jewish recipes along with different cakes, cookies, and more.
I found it really interesting how Aimee Lucido wrote this story. In a collection of recipes, paragraphs, and stanzas, there was always a surprise when I turned the page. It was also really cool how in-depth some of the recipes were and I am definitely going to be trying to make the Sufganiyot and Babka. Overall, I really enjoyed re-reading this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in baking, coming-of-age stories, and anyone interested in a fun new book format.
December 29, 2021
There are times when you find a book that just touches on issues you need to deal with. I couldn't put this book down as parts of it hit so close to home. Written in a mixture of styles, Recipe for Disaster does a marvelous job of looking at friendship, family, and faith.
The basis of the story is that Hannah's best friend Shira has just had her Bat Mitzvah and Hannah is jealous. At the party she announces that she is going to have a Bat Mitzvah herself. This is something of a surprise to her family who is nonreligious. Her mother was raised Jewish and her father was raised Catholic, but the family does not practice any religion. As it turns out, her aunt Yael is a rabbi, but she and Hannah's mother are estranged for an unknown reason. Hannah's grandmother Mimi, who shares a love of Jewish baking with Hannah and her older brother, sets it up so that Hannah can learn from her aunt with an unspoken desire to fix whatever rift exists. Learning Hebrew is harder than Hannah imagines, and her aunt is making her do the necessary work.
Hannah struggles to understand what being Jewish is as well as what being a good friend really means. Through her work with her aunt as well as issues with old friend Shira and new friend Vee, she learns some important life lessons. One of the most challenging things is finding a way for a pre-teen to connect with words from the torah that can seem archaic and meaningless. Hannah's aunt helps her consider the necessary questions. Many tweens do not know how to formulate the questions that are needed to give a deeper meaning to their studies, but this story might help start that conversation.
One big strength in the story was the variety of Jewish experiences that different characters brought to the table. Each character displayed true to life representations. It is painful to acknowledge the hate and prejudice that exists, but it is an unfortunate truth that non-Jews need to realize is part of the Jewish experience.
I have watched a lot of kids go through the work necessary for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. I have seen a variety of different ways the kids participate in their own services, by choice and by requirement. I have seen that some kids truly just go through the motions because their parents are making them do it while others embrace the experience and everything in between. In Recipe for Disaster, we watch as Hannah evolves from being a kid who doesn't even really identify with being Jewish who just wants a big party and to be the center of attention to being someone who realizes that it isn't about the big ceremony but rather a state of mind and being with the people who mean the most to you. Lucido did a marvelous job showing Hannah's evolution as a Jew as well as her evolution as a friend.
Thank you Aimee Lucido and Versify for a wonderful book. This is definitely one that I would highly recommend to any Bar or Bat Mitzvah student.
The basis of the story is that Hannah's best friend Shira has just had her Bat Mitzvah and Hannah is jealous. At the party she announces that she is going to have a Bat Mitzvah herself. This is something of a surprise to her family who is nonreligious. Her mother was raised Jewish and her father was raised Catholic, but the family does not practice any religion. As it turns out, her aunt Yael is a rabbi, but she and Hannah's mother are estranged for an unknown reason. Hannah's grandmother Mimi, who shares a love of Jewish baking with Hannah and her older brother, sets it up so that Hannah can learn from her aunt with an unspoken desire to fix whatever rift exists. Learning Hebrew is harder than Hannah imagines, and her aunt is making her do the necessary work.
Hannah struggles to understand what being Jewish is as well as what being a good friend really means. Through her work with her aunt as well as issues with old friend Shira and new friend Vee, she learns some important life lessons. One of the most challenging things is finding a way for a pre-teen to connect with words from the torah that can seem archaic and meaningless. Hannah's aunt helps her consider the necessary questions. Many tweens do not know how to formulate the questions that are needed to give a deeper meaning to their studies, but this story might help start that conversation.
One big strength in the story was the variety of Jewish experiences that different characters brought to the table. Each character displayed true to life representations. It is painful to acknowledge the hate and prejudice that exists, but it is an unfortunate truth that non-Jews need to realize is part of the Jewish experience.
I have watched a lot of kids go through the work necessary for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. I have seen a variety of different ways the kids participate in their own services, by choice and by requirement. I have seen that some kids truly just go through the motions because their parents are making them do it while others embrace the experience and everything in between. In Recipe for Disaster, we watch as Hannah evolves from being a kid who doesn't even really identify with being Jewish who just wants a big party and to be the center of attention to being someone who realizes that it isn't about the big ceremony but rather a state of mind and being with the people who mean the most to you. Lucido did a marvelous job showing Hannah's evolution as a Jew as well as her evolution as a friend.
Thank you Aimee Lucido and Versify for a wonderful book. This is definitely one that I would highly recommend to any Bar or Bat Mitzvah student.
November 27, 2021
Twelve-year-old Hannah Malfa-Adler has been cooking with her Grandma Mimi for as long as she can remember. Life is getting more complicated for Hannah now that she is twelve. Her best friend, Shira is studying for her bat mitzvah. While Hannah is excited for her bestie, she is a little bit jealous. Grandma Mimi is Jewish, which makes her mother Jewish – thereby Hannah is as well. But is Hannah really Jewish if she doesn’t practice her religion? In their house the only person that practices Judaism is Grandma.
Everything was going along well, until Shira made a decision at her bat mitzvah party to dance with a boy she liked instead of the “best friend dance” she and Hannah discussed for weeks before the event. Hurt and jealous, Hannah proclaims she will be having the next bat mitzvah to her friends. Which is pretty unlikely because her mother refuses to have any association with her Jewish heritage. Grandma has a plan that may help Hannah, but is a secret until the time is right to tell Hannah’s mom.
Hannah’s teenage angst is portrayed beautifully. She is in turmoil in many aspects of her life. Religion, losing her best friend, finding a new friend that is edgy and the relationship with her parents all factor into her actions and thoughts. Her family isn’t the best support system at this very moment. First of all, her older brother wants to become a chef, much to the disdain of their father. The tension in their home is buffered with Grandma’s wise advice and delicious family recipes (which are included in the book).
This book is teenage reality wrapped in love. Middle school is not easy. Author Aimee Lucido does not sugar coat the situations Hannah finds herself in the middle of. But Lucido leads readers on a path that shows family and friends will disagree, but things will work out. Sometimes with surprising results.
This is the first book I have read by Aimee Lucido. It is the second book she has written, the first being Emmy In The Key of Code. I look forward to reading it as well as others she will write in the future. She just might be the Beverly Clerey of this generation.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2021 Laura Hartman
Everything was going along well, until Shira made a decision at her bat mitzvah party to dance with a boy she liked instead of the “best friend dance” she and Hannah discussed for weeks before the event. Hurt and jealous, Hannah proclaims she will be having the next bat mitzvah to her friends. Which is pretty unlikely because her mother refuses to have any association with her Jewish heritage. Grandma has a plan that may help Hannah, but is a secret until the time is right to tell Hannah’s mom.
Hannah’s teenage angst is portrayed beautifully. She is in turmoil in many aspects of her life. Religion, losing her best friend, finding a new friend that is edgy and the relationship with her parents all factor into her actions and thoughts. Her family isn’t the best support system at this very moment. First of all, her older brother wants to become a chef, much to the disdain of their father. The tension in their home is buffered with Grandma’s wise advice and delicious family recipes (which are included in the book).
This book is teenage reality wrapped in love. Middle school is not easy. Author Aimee Lucido does not sugar coat the situations Hannah finds herself in the middle of. But Lucido leads readers on a path that shows family and friends will disagree, but things will work out. Sometimes with surprising results.
This is the first book I have read by Aimee Lucido. It is the second book she has written, the first being Emmy In The Key of Code. I look forward to reading it as well as others she will write in the future. She just might be the Beverly Clerey of this generation.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2021 Laura Hartman
September 24, 2021
Hannah Malfa-Adler's mother was raised Jewish, but because of an ongoing feud with her rabbi sister, she's never wanted Hannah or her brother to be associated with the religion, even though Hannah's grandmother loves sharing her traditions with the family.
When Hannah attends her best friend (Shira)'s bat mitzvah, she decides that she wants one of her own. But Hannah's parents, along with Shira, tell her she isn't really Jewish and just wants a party. So Hannah turns to her grandmother, Mimi, for help and starts taking private Hebrew lessons with her mom's sister, Yael. Meanwhile, Shira seems to be drifting away as Hannah gets caught up in bat mitzvah planning, and there's a new girl in school, Victoria, who knows what it's like to be told she isn't Jewish enough. When a hate symbol is found spray-painted on Victoria's door, Hannah must come to terms with the fact that she can't let anyone else decide whether she is Jewish or not-- she can only decide for herself.
I could tell from the cover and title that baking is a big part of this book, and I am SO here for that. Not only does baking represent Hannah's connection to her grandmother and Jewish traditions, but there's also a side plot with the older brother, Sam, who wants to go to culinary school and starts a successful pie business at school with his friend. Honestly, Sam was one of the best characters (aside from Mimi) and should have his own book.
And the format, which is a combination of verse and traditional prose, just made it so much more interesting.
This is the second book I've read from Aimee Lucido, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
When Hannah attends her best friend (Shira)'s bat mitzvah, she decides that she wants one of her own. But Hannah's parents, along with Shira, tell her she isn't really Jewish and just wants a party. So Hannah turns to her grandmother, Mimi, for help and starts taking private Hebrew lessons with her mom's sister, Yael. Meanwhile, Shira seems to be drifting away as Hannah gets caught up in bat mitzvah planning, and there's a new girl in school, Victoria, who knows what it's like to be told she isn't Jewish enough. When a hate symbol is found spray-painted on Victoria's door, Hannah must come to terms with the fact that she can't let anyone else decide whether she is Jewish or not-- she can only decide for herself.
I could tell from the cover and title that baking is a big part of this book, and I am SO here for that. Not only does baking represent Hannah's connection to her grandmother and Jewish traditions, but there's also a side plot with the older brother, Sam, who wants to go to culinary school and starts a successful pie business at school with his friend. Honestly, Sam was one of the best characters (aside from Mimi) and should have his own book.
And the format, which is a combination of verse and traditional prose, just made it so much more interesting.
This is the second book I've read from Aimee Lucido, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
Read
July 21, 2023I think this is a really important book for young readers to have, even if they aren't Jewish, because it covers a lot of really important themes. I think it's important for young people to know that other people can't define your own identity for you. I also found the description of Jewish culture to be incredibly beautiful and Hannah's journey to get closer to that side of her family was really impactful.
I didn't like the parents (I often don't in kidlit.) I'm glad they come around by the end, but for most of the story, they irritated me. Especially the dad. He's such a jerk because his kid wants to go to culinary school. Like... chill out. I also guessed why the mother doesn't talk to the aunt very early on, but I don't think it was really about the twist, but the emotional impact of it.
My favorite characters were Vee, who was the new girl who is super punk and plays the flute and is also Jewish and very sure of herself, and Sam, the older brother. I also liked that this book was bittersweet because I think there are a lot of kids who can relate to that.
Anyway, I think this is an important read for young people! I did feel like the way the kids talked wasn't realistic toward the end. They'd give these long monologues where they talk about their feelings on really complex topics and it just didn't seem like things kids would say. I think it felt more natural for Hannah, because we were in her head, than it was for say her friend Shira. I also got so irritated that the tension between Sam and the Dad got solved so fast. Like I felt like the Dad sucked!
I didn't like the parents (I often don't in kidlit.) I'm glad they come around by the end, but for most of the story, they irritated me. Especially the dad. He's such a jerk because his kid wants to go to culinary school. Like... chill out. I also guessed why the mother doesn't talk to the aunt very early on, but I don't think it was really about the twist, but the emotional impact of it.
My favorite characters were Vee, who was the new girl who is super punk and plays the flute and is also Jewish and very sure of herself, and Sam, the older brother. I also liked that this book was bittersweet because I think there are a lot of kids who can relate to that.
Anyway, I think this is an important read for young people! I did feel like the way the kids talked wasn't realistic toward the end. They'd give these long monologues where they talk about their feelings on really complex topics and it just didn't seem like things kids would say. I think it felt more natural for Hannah, because we were in her head, than it was for say her friend Shira. I also got so irritated that the tension between Sam and the Dad got solved so fast. Like I felt like the Dad sucked!
September 27, 2021
Hannah has been raised without any religion at all, because of a fight that her mother had with her sister who is a rabbi.
So, when Hannah's best friend has a fantastic Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides that she wants one as well. Her grandmother, who is religious, reminds her that the Bat Mitzvah is more than a party, that is is also about faith and community and all that.
So, in secret, Hannah starts studying the part of the Torah that corresponds with her birthday.
And her grandmother ways she will tell her mother, when the time is right.
In between, we get recipes for what is going on. And Hannah is upset because her best friend seems to be not be her best friend since the ceremony.
Because middle grade books are all about friendships.
I enjoyed the story, but felt that Hannah should have told her mother, early on and just gone ahead with what she wanted to do. But, then, where would the story have taken us then. She also poisons her new friends friendship by saying that because she was Hispanic, she didn't know how she could be Jewish.
Good book for showing more about the Bat and Bar Mitzvah, and explaining about reading of the Torah.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, when Hannah's best friend has a fantastic Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides that she wants one as well. Her grandmother, who is religious, reminds her that the Bat Mitzvah is more than a party, that is is also about faith and community and all that.
So, in secret, Hannah starts studying the part of the Torah that corresponds with her birthday.
And her grandmother ways she will tell her mother, when the time is right.
In between, we get recipes for what is going on. And Hannah is upset because her best friend seems to be not be her best friend since the ceremony.
Because middle grade books are all about friendships.
I enjoyed the story, but felt that Hannah should have told her mother, early on and just gone ahead with what she wanted to do. But, then, where would the story have taken us then. She also poisons her new friends friendship by saying that because she was Hispanic, she didn't know how she could be Jewish.
Good book for showing more about the Bat and Bar Mitzvah, and explaining about reading of the Torah.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
October 31, 2021
A universal story about friendships, family and growing up:
Recipe for Disaster is the story of Hannah, who has grown up nonsecular with a mother from the Jewish faith and a father raised Catholic. At almost thirteen, Hannah wants to explore more fully what it means to be Jewish, especially if that means having a bat mitzvah like her best friend. Author Aimee Lucido delves into all the varied nuances of what it means to be Jewish, while also telling an intricate tale about family and friendship, the loss of both and the steps required for forgiveness and reconciliation. I loved all the characters, especially Hannah’s grandmother Mimi, who is wise and funny and kind. Hannah learns and grows through the story, making mistakes and dealing with the consequences. Her brother has his own wonderful arc--he’s another favorite character. This novel made me laugh and cry, and it also made me hungry. So many yummy recipes and each one was poetry in its own right.
Lucido’s lyricism shines through whether she’s writing prose or a recipe or verse. I highly recommend this book for all readers. Though it revolves around a girl’s search for her Jewish identity, first and foremost it’s a universal story about relationships and growing up.
Recipe for Disaster is the story of Hannah, who has grown up nonsecular with a mother from the Jewish faith and a father raised Catholic. At almost thirteen, Hannah wants to explore more fully what it means to be Jewish, especially if that means having a bat mitzvah like her best friend. Author Aimee Lucido delves into all the varied nuances of what it means to be Jewish, while also telling an intricate tale about family and friendship, the loss of both and the steps required for forgiveness and reconciliation. I loved all the characters, especially Hannah’s grandmother Mimi, who is wise and funny and kind. Hannah learns and grows through the story, making mistakes and dealing with the consequences. Her brother has his own wonderful arc--he’s another favorite character. This novel made me laugh and cry, and it also made me hungry. So many yummy recipes and each one was poetry in its own right.
Lucido’s lyricism shines through whether she’s writing prose or a recipe or verse. I highly recommend this book for all readers. Though it revolves around a girl’s search for her Jewish identity, first and foremost it’s a universal story about relationships and growing up.
May 22, 2022
For a middle grade I think it could have been tightened up a little, specifically around the mystery of her mother's sister (her Aunt Yael) and why the two sisters haven't spoken in years and why her grandmother and mother (and sometimes her father) have specific views about her Jewishness.
Hannah knows there's something up about that and it comes to the forefront when Hannah attends her best friends bat mitzvah and there is not only a big party and a special attention, but she slowed danced with their crush and there's a little romance in the air. Hannah vows there and then that she's going to have a bat mitzvah of her own and do all the things. More than just cooking all the delicious treats including many conversations about rugelach. Partly secret and part in the open, things are a "recipe for disaster" until a like a traditional middle grade all ends well. And the theme of her friendship as well played a significant important.
I thought the story was important- the questioning of religion and identity, however as mentioned before it belabored the point to the point of being repetitive at times and hyped for no real reason than to try to build more suspense.
Hannah knows there's something up about that and it comes to the forefront when Hannah attends her best friends bat mitzvah and there is not only a big party and a special attention, but she slowed danced with their crush and there's a little romance in the air. Hannah vows there and then that she's going to have a bat mitzvah of her own and do all the things. More than just cooking all the delicious treats including many conversations about rugelach. Partly secret and part in the open, things are a "recipe for disaster" until a like a traditional middle grade all ends well. And the theme of her friendship as well played a significant important.
I thought the story was important- the questioning of religion and identity, however as mentioned before it belabored the point to the point of being repetitive at times and hyped for no real reason than to try to build more suspense.
August 25, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Clarion Books through Netgalley.
Told in a variety of formats - verse, chapter, list, etc. - from one narrator's point of view. Hannah brings readers into her world where she struggles to understand what it means to be Jewish, what it means to be part of a family, what it means to be a good friend, and what it means to be her. In some form, middle grade readers ask these same questions of themselves and struggle as Hannah does to figure them out. Lucido offers no concrete answers but lets readers walk along with Hannah on her journey. I love the title as it connects so many threads in this story from the actual baking that is so much a part of their lives to the secrets that each allows to color their lives. Hannah learns some hard lessons about friendship and family dynamics but does start to figure out ways to heal and do better. Middle grade readers will appreciate her efforts though some may struggle with the various formats in each chapter. A terrific book to expose them to different styles of sharing a message in print.
Told in a variety of formats - verse, chapter, list, etc. - from one narrator's point of view. Hannah brings readers into her world where she struggles to understand what it means to be Jewish, what it means to be part of a family, what it means to be a good friend, and what it means to be her. In some form, middle grade readers ask these same questions of themselves and struggle as Hannah does to figure them out. Lucido offers no concrete answers but lets readers walk along with Hannah on her journey. I love the title as it connects so many threads in this story from the actual baking that is so much a part of their lives to the secrets that each allows to color their lives. Hannah learns some hard lessons about friendship and family dynamics but does start to figure out ways to heal and do better. Middle grade readers will appreciate her efforts though some may struggle with the various formats in each chapter. A terrific book to expose them to different styles of sharing a message in print.
December 1, 2021
Wow, I was not expecting this book to touch me so poignantly. I was raised in a very involved Reform Jewish family, and like Shira, I oscillated between resenting the time commitment/being bored and finding meaning in it. I am now married to an atheist who is ok with celebrating some Jewish holidays at home with family, but not with going to services outside of family events. And this is my preference as well. But I do know how good it can feel to attend a service and know all the words--know I'm singing the same words as my ancestors. So sometimes I worry my daughter will feel deprived of that. And it was so powerful to read this book and see the characters grappling with the same questions. I also thought the exploration of fighting, letting relationships rest, and forgiveness was profound. And I'm a sucker for good writing about food! So I just found so much to love here. Didn't even realize until the end that it was by the same author as Emmy in the Key of Code, another middle grade favorite of mine! Really great job on this book, highly recommend.
May 28, 2021
For a thought provoking read about family, faith, friendship, and figuring out who you are as your 13th birthday approaches, this is a stay-up-late-to-find-out-what-happens-next page turner. There is nothing else out there quite like this book. In familiar settings and situations of home, school, friendship tension, and family difficulties, the author asks big questions: What makes a person Jewish? Who decides what a young person does with their life? How do you fix a friendship when you're the one who broke it? How do you react when a friend experiences a hate crime? What is the recipe for apologizing?
Happily, that recipe can be found in this book and used for the rest of your life, along with many, many delicious recipes for baked goods, integrated into the text. Told in both verse and prose, and of course recipes, this is a book to be put in the hands of young readers who are looking for answers and ready to ask questions of themselves. I truly loved it.
Happily, that recipe can be found in this book and used for the rest of your life, along with many, many delicious recipes for baked goods, integrated into the text. Told in both verse and prose, and of course recipes, this is a book to be put in the hands of young readers who are looking for answers and ready to ask questions of themselves. I truly loved it.
February 6, 2022
I think this book did a nice job portraying some of the challenges of being a twelve year old American girl weighing issues of family, friendship, and Jewish identity. The friendship challenges seem true-to-life, even if some of the characters are a bit one-dimensional. There is so much in the book that reflects traditional, evolving, and new ways of thinking about Jewish identity. The characters' assumptions are challenged and they are forced to grapple with new ways of thinking about issues of identity. The rabbi character is a good, female role-model. I especially appreciated the way less familiar sections of the Torah--shmita in parashat Behar, and Korach--are interpreted as having meaningful lessons regarding life and relationships, and that the idea of teshuvah, repentance, although the word is not used, is meaningfully depicted along with the idea of tikun olam, which is defined in the book. This would be a great choice for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book Club.
September 8, 2024
I'm grateful for this story for a couple of reasons, but mostly because it came into my life during a really tough time. The reminder that relationships need time to rest so that they can thrive was exactly what I needed to hear. I loved that we got to see that play out in so many different ways with Shira, Vee, Aunt Yael, mom, dad and even Sam. Things definitely got rough and tense before they got better, but all things require time. A rupture is just that - a rupture, and we can always move forward once we've had a change to recover, even if in the moment the situation feels insurmountable.
I'm also grateful for this book because I feel just about as Jewish as Hannah does, if not even less so, and I've definitely had my own family invalidate my Jewish identity. It's so wonderful to see someone else explore their identity independently to make personal meaning!
This is a beautiful story that I definitely hope to come back to one day.
I'm also grateful for this book because I feel just about as Jewish as Hannah does, if not even less so, and I've definitely had my own family invalidate my Jewish identity. It's so wonderful to see someone else explore their identity independently to make personal meaning!
This is a beautiful story that I definitely hope to come back to one day.
January 1, 2025
Told in verse, recipes, prose, and bit of Torah readings, this middle grade novel is a story of identity, family, and friendship. Hannah is trying to figure out her own Jewish identity by figuring out what she believes, and not based on all the opinions floating around her.
This book deals with real life tensions of differences in opinion on religion and in grief. I found the characters frustratingly realistic.
I think this is an great read for middle graders to read and discuss with a trusted adult about religion and belief and what our identity is based on.
I loved this one on audio. I think the mixed media element worked in that format.
Content Note: antisemitism, hate crime, bullying, death of a grandparent
Thanks to Clarion for the gifted title. All opinions are my own.
This book deals with real life tensions of differences in opinion on religion and in grief. I found the characters frustratingly realistic.
I think this is an great read for middle graders to read and discuss with a trusted adult about religion and belief and what our identity is based on.
I loved this one on audio. I think the mixed media element worked in that format.
Content Note: antisemitism, hate crime, bullying, death of a grandparent
Thanks to Clarion for the gifted title. All opinions are my own.
August 26, 2021
When Hannah's best friend Shira has her Bat Mitzvah, Hannah decides she's going to have one two to prove she's Jewish enough. Too bad her parents will never agree to it. So Hannah cooks up a plan with her Grandma Mimi to study for her Bat Mitzvah in secret, which leads Hannah down a road to figuring out what being Jewish really means.
I really enjoyed this book and some of the questions raised, like what is Jewish enough and what does it mean to be Jewish and how that changes for each person. I loved the characters and the cooking throughout that tied the culture of Jewish food in. It was a fun read and great for those struggling with finding their Jewish identity or anyone wanted to learn more about Judaism.
I really enjoyed this book and some of the questions raised, like what is Jewish enough and what does it mean to be Jewish and how that changes for each person. I loved the characters and the cooking throughout that tied the culture of Jewish food in. It was a fun read and great for those struggling with finding their Jewish identity or anyone wanted to learn more about Judaism.
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