Sorry for Your Loss
by Joanne Levy (Author)
★ "A heartfelt and expertly written tale of loss, family, and friendship that will have readers blinking back their tears...Beautiful and sincere."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Evie Walman is not obsessed with death. She does think about it a lot, though, but only because her family runs a Jewish funeral home. At twelve, Evie already knows she's going to be a funeral director when she grows up. So what if the kids at school call her "corpse girl" and say she smells like death? They're just mean and don't get how important it is to have someone take care of things when your world is falling apart. Evie loves dusting caskets, polishing pews, and vacuuming the chapel--and on funeral days, she dresses up and hands out tissues and offers her condolences to mourners. She doesn't normally help her parents with the grieving families directly, until one day when they ask her to help with Oren, a boy who was in a horrific car accident that killed both his parents. Oren refuses to speak and Evie, who is nursing her own private grief, is determined to find a way to help him deal with his loss.
Praise for previous books by Joanne Levy: "Levy's narrative is spot on."--Booklist review for The Sun Will Come Out
"The story gives voice to the experience of Jewish preteens; chronic illness and disability are also sensitively tackled in this complex tale about difference, acceptance, and self-confidence. A heartfelt tear-jerker about love, friendship, and courage."--Kirkus Reviews review for The Sun Will Come Out
"Uplifting, gentle...Exudes inter-generational warmth, family love, and friendship."--Association of Jewish Libraries review for Fish Out of Water
"Though brief, this text masterfully connects the toxic masculinity to its roots in deep misogyny, making Fish a hero people of all genders can stand up and cheer for. All readers will appreciate this book's nuanced messaging around gender roles and trusting yourself."--Kirkus Reviews, review for Fish Out of Water
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School Library Journal
Gr 3-7--When her relationship with her best friend, Sam, came to an abrupt end, Evie decided to give up friends. It's easy to do; she is bullied by classmates because her parents run a funeral home. Evie is proud of her parents' business and wants to be a funeral director herself one day. She's excited when her mother asks for her assistance with a grieving family with a son who is Evie's age. Oren is the sole survivor of a car crash that killed both his parents. While Evie's attempts to comfort Oren initially backfire, the two become close, despite Evie's stance on friendship and even though Oren has not spoken since the accident. Soon it's clear Oren is helping Evie as much as she is helping him; the two need each other to process their trauma. Their evolving friendship is enjoyable to read about. This contemplative novel sensitively depicts a straightforward and compassionate view of death and grieving and explains the Jewish customs for burial preparation. Character development is the strength of the novel, especially in emotionally charged moments. This highly discussable novel navigates complex feelings gracefully. It should be noted that Evie has kept much to herself, including the real reason why her friendship with Sam ended, the level of bullying she experiences, and that her parents have placed perhaps too much responsibility on her. All major characters read as white, and all are observant Jews. VERDICT Despite the heavy topics this unique novel addresses, it features humor and warmth and characters young readers will care about.--Juliet Morefield, Multnomah County Lib., Portland, OR
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Joanne Levy is the award-winning author of a number of books for young people, including Double Trouble, Fish Out of Water and The Book of Elsie in the Orca Currents line and the middle-grade novels The Sun Will Come Out, Small Medium at Large and Sorry For Your Loss, which was nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award and won the Canadian Jewish Literature Award. She lives in Clinton, Ontario.
JUV039030 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Death & Dying
JUV013050 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Orphans & Foster Homes
JUV033020 - Juvenile Fiction | Religious | Jewish
Orphans
JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Chapter Books
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
