The Do More Club

by Dana Kramaroff

A Jewish boy's bravery and kindness are tested after an antisemitic attack on his middle school in this rousing novel-in-verse.

Ever since twelve-year-old Josh Kline found an antisemitic note in his family's mailbox in third grade, he has felt uncomfortable about his Jewish identity. At a new school where he's pretty sure he's the only Jew, he's hoping to just keep religion out of everything . . . until the morning someone sprays swastikas all over the building. That's when everything changes.

In one of the school counseling groups set up in response to the attack, Josh finally reveals that he is Jewish, and quickly finds out there's more to the other kids in his grade too: All of them have their own struggles. Maybe Josh can do something to help--to "repair the world" as his rabbi teaches, by starting a Do More club to spread kindness. But making a difference is never simple, even when you have new friends by your side.

Fast-paced and conversation-starting, Josh's story is an empowering examination of prejudice, bullying, and how to take the first step toward change.

Genres: Middle Grade, Poetry, Realistic Fiction, Jewish, Novel In Verse, Fiction, Antisemitism

368 pages, Hardcover

Published August 29, 2023

Reviews

[Nicholas Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh is a Jewish boy in a small town. He recently had to switch schools and synagogues after swastikas were defaced across the school building. However, in is new school he is slow to make new friends, as are many other kids, and is worried about revealing his Jewish identify but also doesn't want to hide it. But then what happened at Josh's previous school makes his new school start some school activities about being kind and that butts heads with some kids who have less than kind ideals.
Josh wants to do more for himself and the other kids at school, but he is worried about what might happen. However, some intense bullying and prejudice may force him to step up.

I read this for a Book Club, but even I didn't I'm still glad I read it. The Do More Club tackles the subject of anti-Semitism, and other prejudices, and how more and more Jewish kids are experiencing it in their schools. But what can kids who aren't even thirteen yet do?

Josh is a very complex character. He just simply wants to live his life, but he torn between keeping his Jewish identity on the casual and actually discussing it in response to everything going on. At point, he even mentions that he wishes that it wasn't such a big deal. However, when Josh meets with his eventual new friends he soon gets the confidence to reveal his Jewish identity, even if it is met with hostility from the bully Gavin. What I liked about Josh' character development, and The Do More Club's tone in general, is not all things are sunshine and rainbows at the end, though the book does end on a happier note, but not without an important lesson. Josh displays a lot skepticism towards the activism and positivity spreading, wondering if it'll even work. He notices that some kids even go back to acting cruel again after all these positivity rallies.
And to be honest, who can blame Josh for such skepticism? How many bullies or uncaring kids (and adults) go to such things because they have to and then turn around and return to their prejudice behavior? Josh makes a lot of headway throughout the book, but when he meets setbacks and returns to this skepticism and uncertainty. It's very natural and I think Dana Kramaroff handled it very well.

The Do More Club also touches upon other things like fat-shaming and anti-Black racism. Josh befriends two other kids: Nat, a plus-sized girl, and Marcus and Black boy. There is also Mr. G, the teacher supervisor of The Do More Club that Josh eventually forms to combat the negativity and bullying growing within the school. It is through Marcus and Mr. G that Josh learns that some prejudices are more rampant than others. At one point in the story, Marcus gets a rock in his locker with heinous message or word on it--we're never told what it is, only that it is very bad. This makes Josh realize that although him and Marcus are similar in their struggles, what makes Josh a target of hatred is not something that everyone can see at first. This informs Josh about his Jewish identity. Not everyone even knew he was Jewish until he said he was; although he was irate and afraid from all the anti-Semitism going on, he could at least hide that he was Jewish, unlike Marcus. This is an important lesson to learn when discussing the various forms of prejudice in the world, especially in America: Black people will always be the most targeted by prejudice and racism. Again, I think Kramaroff did this well without coming off preachy or downplaying anything either Josh or Marcus faced.

I am not Jewish, religiously or ethnically, but I enjoy that what pushed Josh to form The Do More Club was an aspect from his faith. Tikkun olam, or "repairing the world," is something that Josh's rabbi reminds him about. It's what Jewish people do when the world is in a terrible state. The actual club is not religious in nature itself, but tikkun olam is the principle that guides Josh to make the club and formulate its activities. Even when Josh is dejected from further acts of anti-Semitism, he returns to tikkun olam, even if reluctantly sometimes, to figure out what to do.

I enjoyed The Do More Club's very quick pacing. It's not so quick that you forget about things, but it's enough that you can completely the story easily. I leave off one star, however, for two reasons: some of the other kids in club weren't as developed as Josh, Marcus, and Nat. I would've liked more from then. Additionally, although I did like Marcus and his relationship with Josh, I would've liked a bit more from Marcus' own personal character journey. The second is the "slang" that some of the boys spoke in. It's not bad, but "brohugs" were mentioned quite a bit. Is this something boys say these days? I went to an all-boy high school in the late 2000s/early 2010s and no one ever said that. Is this authentic slang? Kramaroff is a teacher and mother, so she may be more up to speed about this than me, so I might be wrong here.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and I can't wait for the Book Cub.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I genuinely feel the book could have been so much better without the verse format. Reading shouldn’t be this complicated for younger readers.

[Shaunna MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I love reading novels in verse but I felt this was the wrong format for this story. I felt it would have landed better with me as a short prose novel.
I appreciated the action of the Do-More club but thought it was a lost opportunity in the middle grade realm to only have it play a part in the second half of the story.
I think I would lead students to Gordon Korman’s Linked before this one.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing...it's the kind of book that inspired ME to want to do something...to make a positive change...and I love books that inspire me that way. I went into this knowing nothing...the cover just looked cute and it was in verse so I thought...why not? But to start reading and learn it begins with an antisemitic hate crime and then from there branches into topics of racism, bullying, stereotypes...but then does the work and we get to follow Josh as he works through all these emotions starting with him hiding who he is, making mistakes when trying to do the right thing, feeling hopeless in the face of such a big problem, finding support and friendship, becoming a leader...it was very well done and I highly recommend this one.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super quick read (novel in verse), but really because of the story. This book would be an excellent read aloud for upper elementary or middle school classrooms. A great way to discuss current events, allow students a safe place to ask questions, and show students how small acts of kindness can go a long way. The story can also show students how it's not just one group of people affected by hate and stereotypes.

[BethFishReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and impactful novel in verse about hate crimes, mostly against the Jewish community, as well as bullying others.

The driving force of the story is a series of antisemitic crimes and a sixth-grade boy's fear of letting others know that he is Jewish, especially because he's the only Jewish student in the school. The middle school responds to the initial crime by providing a two-week special session to help the kids understand what happened and to help them relate and empathize with people who are different from themselves.

The book is emotionally strong and gives readers of all ages much to think about and to talk about. It's one of the few books I've read that seems to accurately and realistically covey what it means to be Jewish in contemporary America.

This isn't a fairy tale with a happily ever after ending. People aren't miraculously changed. But the story does show that even the smallest steps toward making the world a better place can have an effect. The book also addresses the idea that no one is perfect, and even goodhearted people can do the wrong thing. Another important theme is the idea that if you leave yourself open to it, you may find friends in unexpected places.

I couldn't find a readers' or teachers' guide to this book, but it would make an excellent classroom read or book club read. Though geared to middle grade readers, adults shouldn't pass this by. This will likely make my top-ten reads of the year list.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

[Kim Mento · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh is a new student in a middle school in a small town. When someone spray paints swastikas on his school, everything changes. All the students are texting about it, and it is all over social media. Josh's classmates don't know that he is Jewish, and he struggles with his feelings and if he should tell them. The school organizes a No Place for Hate activity for the students, and we start to see more examples of prejudice that exist. The kids decide that they need to find a way to make a change.

The book is written in verse and told from Josh's point of view. It is the perfect fit for a middle school collection and would be a good lit circle book because there is a lot to discuss. The characters and events seem real. Although this book has characters who are prejudice and threatening, the book is full of hope.

Available in our library
F
KRAMAROFF

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of anti-Semitism, racism, fat shaming, bullying, and intolerance, but it is also a story of community, acceptance, respect, and doing better by doing more.
Sixth grader Josh Kline has moved to a new school where there is not much diversity and he is the only Jewish student. When someone paints swastikas all over the middle school building, he decides not to tell anyone that he is Jewish.

"…our school
where every kid looks the same and
believes the same thing.
it’s as if
the sameness
is what made this
act of hate
possible." (24)

The superintendent holds an assembly for students to
come together
"to fight this
act of cowardice." (22)

The assembly introduces ice-breaker activities, and the students are divided into groups that are to meet once a week. But Josh thinks
“nothing’s gonna change.” (39)

Through his group, Josh befriends Nat, who other students call “fat,” and tries to support her. On her “Iceberg” (what’s below the surface) page, Nat writes,
"Blond hair
green eyes and
FAT.”

Josh reads her page and tells her,
"'there’s more to you than that,'
i try to say
but she cuts me
off.
'it’s all they see,'"
she whispers. (92)

Through their group activities, Josh learns that everyone is less perfect than they may seem. Even their teacher-facilitator, Mr. G., the only Black teacher in the school, shares that he has experienced many acts of racism.

As he becomes more aware of the challenges others face, Josh notices a seventh grade student who is the only Black student in the school and it gets him thinking,
“I think about Marcus
tonight
about how his skin color is there for
everyone
to see
but my being
jewish
is invisible." (71)

When Josh finds the courage to share that he is Jewish, one member of the group, Gavin, who has not participated in the activities, calls him “a dirty Jew, a piece of trash” and, uncharacteristically, Josh hits him.

But eventually—after a peace rally where the rabbi, the mayor, the inman from the mosque, and the reverend from the church speak and many of Josh's new friends’ families attend and much thought and introspection, Josh decides to start a club for the school’s club period, a club for “repairing the world.”

And the Do More Club is born. When Josh announces his club to the school, he states,
“we are kids
but we can make
a difference.” (228)

And the fifty 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who join the club do make a difference—through stickers, rocks with slogans, and notes on lockers. When something horrible happens to his home and to Marcus, Josh almost gives up but decides,
"…i’m not a coward
and can face all the hard parts
life
throws at me." (298)

This is a story that will empower many readers to believe in themselves, to look at their peers in new ways, and to “do more.”

[K Gover · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Do More Club by Dana Kamaroff

Diverse- Jewish narrator, black teacher and student, Gavin- anti-semi

Swastikas graffiti. Administration response with SEL lessons. Iceberg- what you see and what you don’t see.
Survey- examples of leaders- followers- observer ( little ways you can make a difference)

Kids do and say the right things in front of teachers but in hallways they are still losers. (Making fun of girl in wheelchair/life skills)

Narrator Joshua Kline - stands up and says “stop making kids feel like crap”… punch.
He gets in trouble but rest of kids clap.
(2nd time solving his anger with punching)

Joshua create a club, called to do more club. It has inspirational quotes and stickers at the first meeting as a way to support everyone.

The first project of the Do More club is kindness notes. There are 46 kids in the club and all of them write multiple notes that they decorate the school with. The teacher says it’s the Do More Club not to do it all club when Joshua says he wants to keep going and have another meeting and what’s their next project. As they leave high school boys show up And admits to leaving a message for his kind on the wall.

The group paints, Kindness rocks and leaves them around the school for others to take. Marcus finds a rock that says something racial on it. Joshua is defeated and does not go to the club on Friday and hide from all his friends. After several days and people trying to cheer him up, he and Marcus decide to take quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. take them up and give them to all the people in the Dumore club. He is being more of a leader .

The Do More club takes these “notes and does project “no riding more specific quotes and notes to everybody in the school. A few of the kids crinkle them up and she just smiles and laughs and walks away, trying to be the bigger person.

The Do More club has T-shirts made. They have a sleepover. While Joshua is sleeping over his friends house, somebody throws a rock with a Swastika on it through his window and throws red paint on his house. The police come there are news reports he is on television

Joshua gets asked to speak at the assembly and speaks from his heart about hate crimes and that we can all and should spread kindness. Not everyone can be changed but we can try.

Recommended: grades 5+
Topics: prejudice, Jewish, hate crimes, 7th grade, standing up for what is right and trying to change

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Do More Club, written by Dana Kramaroff, follows the tale of a modern grade school boy named Josh, who is part of a Jewish family. One day, his school is tagged with graffiti that displays antisemitic intentions toward the Jewish community, sparking Josh’s exploration into prejudices surrounding different cultures and identities. As the only Jewish kid in his school, Josh feels isolated and attacked by the malicious event, but he also notices that kids like Nat, a girl who’s picked on for being overweight, and Marcus, the only black kid in the school, face similar challenges because of their appearances. Emboldened to act, Josh forms the Do More Club, a school club dedicated to embracing diversity and spreading kindness. However, discrimination still lingers in the hearts of the local bullies. Will the Do More Club be able to make an impact on their community and turn the town’s views toward acceptance and peace?

Opinion:
Dana Kramaroff narrates her story through Josh’s point of view, allowing the reader to receive intimate insight into his every thought and motivation. She dives further into Josh’s mindset by writing the entire book as if it is Josh divulging his thoughts into a journal. The text is written and spaced in prose. It lacks the punctuation of usual sentence structures, but it does not need it due to how the fragments of the sentences are placed. The book can be read easily, and it is a refreshing take on the style in which books are normally written. Other than in the chapter titles, there are no capital letters at the start of sentences or names. This is a wise choice for the way Kramaroff has chosen to write the book because it makes the reader feel as small as Josh’s initial ability to bring about change. The fragmented sentences and journalistic syntax also make the reader empathize more with Josh, capturing a sense of his youth. Modern lingo and references are used, allowing current grade school level children to follow along with ease. There are themes of antisemitism and mild violence that parents should be made aware of before letting their children read. Overall, The Do More Club is a dramatic and heartwarming tale of the wish to bring about peace and understanding for humanity, and while its style is surprising to readers, it cleverly delivers on its ability to relate to a younger audience.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise verse clearly deals with the tough topics of antisemitism, racism, fatphobia, and more in an approachable story for kids.

Josh Kline wakes his parents to tell them how his school has just been vandalized with antisemitic slurs, and swastikas. Though he hasn't been vocal about being Jewish, and doubts any of his classmates know, he can't help but feel he's being attacked.

As hate crimes increase in his small town, and the pressure increases, Josh finds his voice, claims his identify, and begins pushing for change.

There are some tough moments in this book. Like when one of the boys who has been assigned to the group Josh was placed in in the aftermath of the attack verbally attacks him with slurs, and threats. When a classmate, who is the only Black student at the school, ends up with a rock with hateful words (we aren't told what words, just their emotional effect) in his locker. And Josh's house being directly vandalized when he finally shares the information he has about who the attackers may be.

This is such an important topic. The poem on pg 179 sticks out to me as especially the reason books like this are so valuable, and why you should read this book with your kids:

"...it's funny how parents
think they can
keep stuff from us kids.

the thing is:
we know.
we pay
attention.
we eavesdrop.

I get that's
not very "mensch-like"
but if parents
just told us how
they really felt about
big things
then they'd know
we can handle it
better than they think."

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel in verse grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Josh is an authentic middle schooler and his choices, thoughts, and fears all felt so real. Josh is smart, loyal, hard-working and loves his family and friends. He faces tough situations in his life, from bullying to racism, and witnesses scary and hurtful things others do in hate crimes. I enjoyed Josh's character arc and how he faced fears, sought out true friends, overcame anxieties and found his voice to speak out against hate crimes. I liked the underlying theme that everyone has issues to deal with and deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. The club is inspiring and inclusive of everyone and I hope when readers finish this book, they will want to start their own Do More Clubs and/or make life choices to always choose kindness. The supportive adults are refreshing and made my reader heart happy. This novel tackles tough life issues in ways I think all middle graders will cheer on Josh and his friends and see themselves in this novel.

[Sally Kruger]

Josh is the only Jewish student in his middle school. When someone spray paints swastikas all over his school, he experiences a hate he never has before. Not even Josh's friends know he is Jewish, and for a while he thinks that might be best.

The school brings in a group of counselors who specialize in handling trauma to work with the students. They focus on getting to know each other and spreading kindness instead of hate. Josh finds the courage to tell everyone he is Jewish. The result is an increase in hate-related crimes

As Josh works through his fear and confusion, he decides to create the Do More Club. With the help of the trauma counselors, a teacher, and his friends, Josh comes up with creative ways to spread positive messages through the school. It isn't all smooth sailing, but Josh comes to appreciate friendship, family, and faith as he works to reduce the hate in his corner of the community.

Author Dana Kramaroff uses verse to tell Josh's story. This middle grade novel is great for discussion and action in a world where kindness doesn't always come first.

[WKPL Children's/YA Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Lori gives this book 4.5 stars. This novel in verse was read by me during a Sunday afternoon. It is a very fast, easy read about a very heavy subject. The author does a superb job explaining the feelings of a middle school-aged boy whose school is vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti. The boy is Jewish, and the only Jew in his school. He has never told anyone in his school he is Jewish and is afraid he will be ridiculed if he does.

Because the vandalism was so horrible, the school brings in counselors to talk with the kids and do events that show unity. What was an awful event begins to turn the tide with some of the kids, however, there will always be those who are ignorant and refuse to acknowledge history.

This is a quick read that should leave kids with questions as well as a good feeling about how things were handled by the kids, the parents, and the school!

This is a great read for 5th grade through Junior High. I think it would be a great book to share with a middle school book club.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this powerful middle grade novel in verse that addresses anti-Semitism, racism, fat shaming, bullying and change with the lens of doing more to help the world be better.

Sixth grader Josh goes to school where there’s not much diversity and he’s the only Jewish student. It’s not something he shares with his classmates, until one day someone paints hate symbols on his school. When the school brings in a team to help facilitate discussions among the students about intolerance, Josh decides to help “repair the world” through a Do More club to spread kindness.

An empowering story that encourages readers to believe in the power they hold and take the first step towards positive changes in their own communities.

Must buy for school and classroom libraries!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing The Do More Club my brain started spinning with all the ways our library team could use it to kickoff our own clubs to *repair the world.* What could be better than sharing a good book with kids and coming together to spread love, joy, & acceptance?

This novel in verse is a one-sitting read that stands out strongly to me amidst all the middle grade reading I’ve done. Definitely a must-buy.

- - - - -

"I thought we could change everyone.”

“Kids are hurting inside and we don't always know it. What’s on the outside doesn't always tell us everything.“

"I thought you weren't
the type of
person
to just give up
when things get
tough."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It should come as no surprise that I think books make great gifts. In my mind, the perfect Hanukkah gift for a Jewish tween/teen is a book featuring – drum role here – a Jewish tween/teen! I’m just saying that if you do eight nights of gifts, at least one night should feature books. Of course, adults should feel free to read these books, too. There are a lot of good ones. Oh, and if your tween/teen is unhappy with the gift, feel free to blame me! Most likely, I’d just suggest another book they might like.
See the rest of my review at https://www.thereportergroup.org/book...

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
This novel in verse starts with a boy, Josh, not mentioning his Jewish identity to his classmates. After a hate crime in a nearby community, a team is sent to his middle school to help students bridge their differences and see their similarities. Over the course of the week long identity led activities, the boy confesses to being Jewish. This leads to him deciding to start a "do More club" inspired to do more random acts of kindness, do more standing up to bullies, and do more to try and repair a broken world. The author deals realistically with the burdens of leadership after the boy's home is vandalized and he hides in the bathroom.

[Mrs. B. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this current political climate, this should be required reading in all middle school classrooms.

An own-voices book, The Do More Club follows a group of middle schoolers trying to find ways to heal their community after their school was targeted by anti-Semitic vandals.

My only reason for giving it 4 stars, rather than 5, was because the pacing was a little slow for me. However, the theme of spreading kindness, and attainable examples of how middle schoolers could do that, help to make up for it.

[Lauren Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to meet this author, and I bought and read her book all in the same day! She is a teacher and mother and clearly writes with young readers in mind. The verse format makes this book accessible and interesting for kids who are resistant to reading, young readers, or readers with learning disabilities, and the content is extremely relevant and accessible as well! As a teacher myself, I would highly recommend this for middle level readers and to students who typically don't enjoy or struggle with reading.

[Sarah S. Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets big points for the subject matter. I was very impressed at the sensitive way Josh’s complex feelings about his Jewish identity were handled. Similarly, having access to his internal monologue as he reacts to anti-Semitic acts was very powerful. I would have rated higher, but I felt like the novel in verse format was a little bit gimmicky and didn’t significantly add to the experience.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author accomplished a LOT in this debut (verse) novel. She tackled racism, fat shaming, anti-Semitism, and society's unequal response to hate crimes. She made her main character fallible, and she didn't miraculously cure the antagonist. There's lots to think about and talk about. I hope this book helps kids to Do More and reminds adults that it's not all up to the kids.

[Kathreadsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle grade novel in verse tackles important issues of racism, hate crimes, bullying, and fatphobia, while teaching how to stay hopeful in dark times.

Josh is a wonderful main character, and his journey as he learns to be proud of his Jewish heritage and make a difference in the world is a joy to read.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from a community and a school district that is not very diverse, I know that this is a book that my students need to read. With so much conflict in the world, this book shows kids how they can make a difference in their schools, their communities, and their world. This novel in verse is one that needs to be in every library and classroom to show kids what can happen when they "do more."

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel-in-verse is about a Jewish boy’s bravery and kindness after an antisemitic attack at his middle school. Sure to be a conversation-starter about prejudice, bullying, and taking the first step toward change. This novel focuses on actions that kids can implement in their own communities. I highly recommend adding this to your classroom library.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for preteens and teenagers. It's written in a way that isn't overwhelming for kids to read and is easy to follow. This book is great for kids and parents to read together and discuss. It's also great for classroom discussions and can easily inspire children to implement their own inspirational/positivity groups in their schools or communities.

[Michelle Tuite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading 2024
Book 190: The Do More Club by Dana Kramaroff

Found this book on a GR list of books in verse. Book 32 of #30booksin30days is a library grab reviewed for middle grade readers.

Quick Take: The main character must deal with his identity in relationship to his peers against the backdrop of an antisemitic attack on his school. My rating 4⭐️.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
I wanted to like this middle grade read more than I did.
The overall message was good- spread kindness to help combat hate.
I do typically enjoy a novel in verse but found myself going back to reread sections as I felt like I might have missed something in a few spots. To that extent this one didn't flow as well for me.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

After his family received antisemitic hate mail at their house, 12yo Josh Kline isn't ready to deal with it at school. But when somebody paints swastikas all over his school building, he knows he has to do something.

I liked the premise and the story, but it's a bit too goody-two-shoes for contemporary kiddos.

[Mary Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and emotional middle grade free verse novel that addresses issues of anti-semitism, bullying, finding your voice and spreading kindness. It’s not a perfect book but I do think it would make a great middle school book club book.