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kid

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Can Gilah perfect her breakdancing moves in time for her bat mitzvah? Can her friend Guillermo win the poetry contest and the cash prize he desperately needs? 
Ages 10+
Pages 352
Publisher PJ Publishing
Coming Sep 2024
Awards
Kirkus Starred Review
National Jewish Book Award Finalist
PJ Our Way Author Incentive Award Winner
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

Average Rating

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What the Book Is About

In alternating chapters of prose and verse, Gilah prepares for her upcoming bat mitzvah while her new friend Guillermo enters a poetry contest. The compelling dual point-of-view brings readers into the minds of Gilah, who is neurodiverse and attends a special needs school, and Salvadoran American Guillermo, who is finding his voice through poetry.

Jewish Content & Values

  • Gilah’s family keeps kosher. Gilah is preparing for her bat mitzvah, and the ceremony and party are central to the story. She has conversations with her Hebrew teacher — a convert to Judaism, and a Jew of color — about belief and religion.
  • Gilah’s Torah portion, about Joseph and his coat of many colors, comes up several times in the text, as it influences her feelings on situations with her friends and family members.
  • Gilah makes a fascinating connection between breakdancing and Hebrew letters.
  • Guillermo learns about Jewish customs and practices through research.

Content Advisory

Guillermo is knocked down by a bus while riding his bike but is not seriously injured. His sister goes to the hospital with pneumonia but fully recovers. Gilah develops an age-appropriate crush on Guillermo.
What the Book Is About

What the Book Is About

In alternating chapters of prose and verse, Gilah prepares for her upcoming bat mitzvah while her new friend Guillermo enters a poetry contest. The compelling dual point-of-view brings readers into the minds of Gilah, who is neurodiverse and attends a special needs school, and Salvadoran American Guillermo, who is finding his voice through poetry.

Jewish Content & Values

  • Gilah’s family keeps kosher. Gilah is preparing for her bat mitzvah, and the ceremony and party are central to the story. She has conversations with her Hebrew teacher — a convert to Judaism, and a Jew of color — about belief and religion.
  • Gilah’s Torah portion, about Joseph and his coat of many colors, comes up several times in the text, as it influences her feelings on situations with her friends and family members.
  • Gilah makes a fascinating connection between breakdancing and Hebrew letters.
  • Guillermo learns about Jewish customs and practices through research.

Content Advisory

Guillermo is knocked down by a bus while riding his bike but is not seriously injured. His sister goes to the hospital with pneumonia but fully recovers. Gilah develops an age-appropriate crush on Guillermo.