Publishers Weekly
06/26/2023
Debut author Kramaroff crafts a thought-provoking verse novel about a group of middle schoolers pushing back against injustice following an antisemitic incident. As one of the only Jewish students at his predominantly white and Christian school, white sixth grader Josh has endured antisemitic bullying his entire life, making him feel uncomfortable in his own skin. “I liked it/ better/ when everyone/ wasn’t talking/ about/ jewish things,” Josh laments when the discovery of graffitied swastikas on the school building results in increased discussion surrounding his identity. Determined to create an environment in which he and his classmates can feel safe, Josh founds the Do More Club, a group of students dedicated to fighting bullying with kindness. When he notices racist comments being directed toward a Black classmate, however, Josh realizes that injustice runs deeper than his personal experiences. Approachable if underdeveloped messaging surrounding how readers can make a difference permeates the novel, and empathetic prose renders Josh as a vulnerable protagonist. Through carefully balanced moments of pathos and heart-wrenching descriptions of casual cruelty, Kramaroff weaves a gently compelling narrative of self-acceptance and beginner’s advocacy. Ages 10–14. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"Debut author Kramaroff presents an appealing protagonist in sixth grader Josh, the only Jewish kid in his school . . . The accessible verse, written almost entirely in lowercase, follows Josh’s awakening to the cause of justice." —Kirkus
"Kramaroff, in her well-executed novel in verse, does a fine job of dramatizing an important subject while deftly skirting didacticism. The result is an excellent book for both independent reading and classroom discussion." —Booklist
"Kramaroff crafts a thought-provoking verse novel . . . Through carefully balanced moments of pathos and heart-wrenching descriptions of casual cruelty, Kramaroff weaves a gently compelling narrative of self-acceptance and beginner’s advocacy." —Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
2023-05-09
An exploration of antisemitism and racism in a small-town middle school grappling with an incident of graffitied swastikas.
Debut author Kramaroff presents an appealing protagonist in sixth grader Josh, the only Jewish kid in his school, who is coming to terms with claiming his identity in the face of heavy-handed antisemitic slurs and actions, like tossing coins at his feet and calling him “a dirty jew.” The accessible verse, written almost entirely in lowercase, follows Josh’s awakening to the cause of justice as his almost entirely White and Christian school responds to the transgressions. Regrettably, Josh and his school community conflate justice with kindness, resulting in adulation when Josh founds the Do More Club, which combats hate through affirming sticky notes and kindness rocks. Underdeveloped side characters serve to teach Josh about his privilege and portray him as a mensch. When seventh grader Marcus, the only Black kid in school, experiences a similar racial attack, Josh discovers that anti-Blackness is more pervasive than he’d realized, but Kramaroff does not afford Marcus the agency to react outside of Josh’s framework. In addition to his caring Do More crew, Josh receives support from a rabbi who explains tikkun olam—the Jewish concept of repairing the world—as well as from the school’s lone Black teacher. Unfortunately, neither pushes Josh—or readers—to consider a more robust, systemic understanding of justice and equity.
Well-intentioned but simplistic. (Verse fiction. 9-12)
