Shira and Esther's Double Dream Debut
by Anna E Jordan (Author)
“This book is pure magic.”—Maulik Pancholy, actor and Stonewall Honor-winning author
The switcheroo fun of The Parent Trap meets the showbiz spirit of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in this timeless coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and following your dreams.
When Shira and Esther first meet, they can hardly believe their eyes. It’s like looking in a mirror! But even though they may look identical, the two girls couldn’t be more different. Shira dreams of singing and dancing onstage, but her father, a stern and pious rabbi, thinks Shira should be reading prayers, not plays. Esther dreams of studying Torah, but her mother, a glamorous stage performer, wishes Esther would spend more time rehearsing and less time sneaking off to read books. Oy vey! If only the two could switch places...
Would Shira shine in a big-time televised talent show? Would Esther’s bat mitzvah go off without a hitch? What’s a little deception, when it means your dreams might finally be within reach? One thing is certain: Shira and Esther are going to need more than a little chutzpah to pull this off. But if they do, their double dream debut is sure to be the performance of a lifetime.
FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMMUNITY: Themes of connection, unity, and the need for belonging will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.
JEWISH COMING-OF-AGE: This book represents and celebrates many ways of being Jewish while also inviting non-Jewish readers to share in what makes the religion, culture, and community so wonderful.
BRILLIANT EXTRAS: At the back of the book, a guide to Yiddish words and an author's note on the research and inspiration behind the story invites learning and discussion.
Perfect for:
- Preteens and tweens looking for funny friendship books
- Parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians seeking Jewish children's books
- Jewish and bicultural readers
- Readers who enjoy young adult historical fiction books
- Readers interested in theater, acting, music, and the arts
- Hannukah gift, theater kid gift, or bat mitzvah gift for girls
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Publishers Weekly
Two Jewish girls trade places for a shot at pursuing their ambitions in this sprightly three-act tale of found family and effort rewarded. Esther Rosenbaum longs to learn Hebrew and "raise my voice to God.... On the bima," but her single mother, Yiddish theater sensation Red Hot Fanny, pressures her to join the biz and audition for a televised talent showcase. Shira Epstein was born for the stage, but her rabbi father, a widower, insists that she focus on her Torah studies in preparation for her bat mitzvah. After a chance encounter, the girls--realizing their uncanny resemblance--swap roles to chase their crisscrossed dreams. Mishegas ensues, relayed in the whimsical style of a Yiddish folktale by an omniscient narrator who addresses the reader, in italicized Yiddish, as "mayne kinder." The well-choreographed action unfolds in the fictional town of Idylldale, an amalgam of Manhattan's Lower East Side and a Catskills-like resort of yore. Making her middle grade debut, Jordan (This Pup Steps Up!) juxtaposes Shira's and Esther's yearnings for performance and prayer, showing that there are infinite ways to be Jewish--all valid. Whether they know a bisl or bupkes about the religious tradition and culture, readers will love this sparkling intergenerational ode to chutzpah and Jewish joy. A Yiddish glossary concludes. Ages 8-12. Agent: Janine Le, Janine Le Literary. (Oct.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV033020 - Juvenile Fiction | Religious | Jewish
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