The Goldie Standard

An unexpected treasure of a book!

Family, Judaism, Life, New York City, Romance

Title	The Goldie Standard
Author	Simi Monheit
Publisher, Year & Pages	Sibylline Press, May 2024 328 pages
Summary from Publisher	“Goldie Mandell is opinionated, assertive, and stuck in an Assisted Living Facility. But even surrounded by schleppers with walkers, pictures of sunrises and fancy fish tanks, and an array of daily activities to complement the tepid tea and stale cookies on offer, her salt-free plate is full. She’s got a granddaughter to settle, an eager love interest named Harry to subdue, and precious memories of her happy marriage to fellow Holocaust survivor Mordy to draw upon.  Maxie Jacobsen is young, brilliant, and newly single, not by choice. But she’s got her science career, a grandmother to care for, and her whole life ahead of her. When Maxie takes on the role of her grandmother’s medical advocate, she has no idea Goldie operates with the single purpose of securing Maxie with Dr. Right. Instead, Maxie is distracted by her grandmother’s unexpectedly charming long-haired, sandal-wearing, peculiarly-named driver, T-Jam Bin Naumann, definitely wrong in every way. In alternating Goldie and Maxie chapters, this novel explores generational differences, the weight of tradition, and the resilience of love. Drawing on the long tradition of Jewish humor and pathos, The Goldie Standard mainly celebrates life.”
Genre	Fiction, Chick Lit,
Themes	Judaism, Romance, Family, Life, New York City
Who should read this book?	It has great readability; I found myself unable to put it down until I reached the very end. This would be an excellent choice for a Jewish intergenerational book group, or any book group that enjoys a meaty discussion. I’d definitely serve blintzes and bagels for that!
Why I liked it	I hear my grandmother speaking! Those of us with Jewish grandmothers and mothers will be smiling from the opening sentences. A book like this, your daughter should write. Kudos to the author for keeping up the Yiddish dialog and vocabulary throughout the book. It really does add flavor. Due to the cover, I was expecting a cutesy chicklit story. And, I guess you could take it that way, except that the author brings up some difficult issues and the characters are slightly more pointed in their personalities. Some readers may have difficulty with keeping track of the storyline as it hops back and forth, but those of us who are older will probably get it. That begs the question of just who this book was written for and if Monheit has managed to capture readership from three generations.

Chick Lit, Fiction

My Thirty-Minute Bar Mitzvah

A short and very unique memoir.

Activism, Africa, Coming-of-Age, Community, Diaspora, Judaism

Title	My Thirty-Minute Bar Mitzvah
Author	Denis Hirson
Publisher, Year & Pages	Pushkin ONE, April 2024 192 pages
Summary from Publisher	“Witty and deeply poignant, My Thirty-Minute Bar Mitzvah is a breathtaking account of one man being confronted by his past and, ultimately, how his daughter proved to be the key in understanding his own father. Recreating 1960s Johannesburg through his adolescent eyes, bestselling South African author Denis Hirson gradually reveals the details of his extraordinary 13th birthday as he explores the familial and political divisions in Apartheid South Africa that weighed on him and his developing consciousness of his Jewish heritage. My Thirty-Minute Bar Mitzvah is a gem of a book about becoming a man. It’s also a valuable account of a forgotten time of white, Jewish activists, their families, their community, and most importantly, their children, who had to stumble through life in the aftermath of their commitment to racial justice.”
Genre	Biography, Memoir, Multicultural, History
Themes	Judaism, Africa, Activism, Community, Coming-of-Age, Diaspora
Who should read this book?	Having some knowledge of South African history up front would help, but if you have an interest in Jewish life in South Africa, this is your book.
Why I liked it	I wasn’t sure what to expect when going into reading this, but, after reading it, I found that it was a very good memoir! I’ve read a lot of books on various topics pertaining to Jewish identity and I think that this book gave us another perspective on that, as well as a story that was interesting. However, while I enjoyed this read, I didn’t really understand the historical context for the story and, thus, felt a little lost at times because I just didn’t know where those events fell in time or what they were.

Biography, History, Memoir, Multicultural

Fake Chinese Sounds

Not what you expect and a main character you’ll love!

Asian American, Bullying, Family, Racism

Title	Fake Chinese Sounds
Author	Jing Jing Tsong
Publisher, Year & Pages	Kokila, April 2024 208 pages, 9-12 years
Summary from Publisher	“Between homework, studying, and Chinese school, Měi Yīng’s summer is shaping up to be a boring one. Her only bright spots are practice with her soccer team, the Divas, and the time spent with her năi nai, who is visiting from Taiwan. Although Měi Yīng’s Mandarin isn’t the best and Năi Nai doesn’t speak English, they find other ways to connect, like cooking guōtiē together and doing tai chi in the mornings. By the end of the summer, Měi Yīng is sad to see Năi Nai go—she’s the com­plete opposite of Měi Yīng serious professor mother—but excited to start fifth grade. Until new kid Sid starts making her the butt of racist jokes. Her best friend, Kirra, says to ignore him, but does everyone else’s silence about the harassment mean they’re also ignoring Sid . . . or her? As Sid’s bullying fuels Měi Yīng’s feelings of invisibility, she must learn to reclaim her identity and her voice.’
Genre	Fiction, Children’s Fiction, Graphic Novel, Multicultural
Themes	Asian-American, Family, Racism, Bullying
Who should read this book?	A great summer read for any kid who’s dealt with ethnic issues, bullying–or who loves a strong girl story!
Why I liked it	When I started reading this book and read that Mei Ying’s grandmother was coming to visit from Taiwan and Mei Ying didn’t speak much Chinese and her grandmother didn’t speak English, I thought it was going to be just another book about the two generations failing to understand each other, but eventually coming to a happy ending. Because there are plenty of those stories. So, I was very happily surprised to see that Jing Jing Tsong chose NOT to use this trope for her story. Instead Mei Ying instantly hits it off with her grandmother and is open to learning cooking and tai chi. Mei Ying is a tough cookie and she tackles challenges in her life thoughtfully for the most part. And when she screws up, she owns her mistakes. The story twists and turns and continues busting stereotypes in a way that should appeal to many young readers. Also, it is one of those books that will make you hungry. The format is great and will appeal to even the most reluctant readers, so that is a big plus.

Children’s Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Multicultural

Takeout Sushi

Irresistible cover and you won’t be disappointed.

Character, Expats, Humor, Identity, Japan

Title	Takeout Sushi
Author	Christopher Green
Publisher, Year & Pages	Neem Tree Press, May 2024 272 pages
Summary from Publisher	Takeout Sushi is a collection of 17 illustrated short stories set mostly in contemporary Japan that explore feelings of belonging, displacement, and the strangeness of everyday human interaction. In an innovative, fast-paced company, a man’s job comes under threat when a team of robots are brought in to replace the HR department. A husband’s search for shortcuts to his domestic tasks goes painfully wrong. Overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, a foreigner takes a weekend break and discovers something other than solitude in the mountains.
Genre	Fiction, Short Stories, Multicultural
Themes	Japan, Identity, Character, Humor, Expats
Who should read this book?	If you have an interest in Japan, or if you’ve lived there, you are sure to enjoy at least a few of these stories.
Why I liked it	A collection of stories primarily set in Japan, but written from different points of view. I think it is fair to say that there is something for everyone here. As a person who has lived in Japan, I found the stories relatable and quite apt. Green knows of what he writes! I admit that I skipped the few stories that weren’t set in Japan, because, after all, I just came here for the sushi!

Fiction, Multicultural, Short Stories

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All

Asian American, Classism, Immigrants, New York City, Racism

Who knew that lost socks could lead to so much!

Title	Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
Author	Chanel Miller
Publisher, Year & Pages	Philomel Books, April 2024 160 pages, 7-11 years
Summary from Publisher	“Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board, in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all.  What she doesn’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable.   With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place.”
Genre	Fiction, Children’s Fiction, Multicultural
Themes	Asian American, Classism, Racism, New York City, Immigrants
Who should read this book?	A great summer read for your pre-teen kid and you’ll enjoy it as well.
Why I liked it	This is a very cute book with a great vehicle for introducing characters with various foibles and for addressing race issues that reared their ugly head during COVID for Asian Americans. I think this will have great appeal for both adults and children and Magnolia herself is incredibly likable and has so many traits that kids could identify with. It’s also quite funny and you’ll never look at your socks quite the same again. Simply put, I loved it.

Children’s Fiction, Fiction, Multicultural

Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust

You definitely need to read this book!!!

Europe, Family, Holocaust, Identity, Judaism, War

Title	Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust
Author	Janet Singer Applefield
Publisher, Year & Pages	Cypress House, May 2024 200 pages
Summary from Publisher	“Blessed with blond hair and green eyes, four-year-old Gustawa Singer lived an idyllic life in Nowy Targ. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles doted on her, and strangers admired her flawless complexion, comparing her to a porcelain doll. Her father worked in her grandfather’s hardware store, and the family prospered. All of that was shattered on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. With nowhere to run or hide, her parents made the agonizing decision to give their daughter to a reluctant nanny and parted ways to maximize their chances of at least one of them returning alive. For the next three and a half years, Gustawa lived a clandestine existence, harboring a secret that her looks hid so well: she was Jewish. By the end of the war, more than 90 percent of her town’s Jews were annihilated; she was one of the few children to survive. Becoming Janet is a mesmerizing account of how a young girl’s quick wits and the courage of a few virtuous individuals combined to beat the odds. Passed between strangers with both honorable and deceitful intentions, Gustawa maneuvered through terrifying situations with only the identity papers of a deceased Polish girl and a well-rehearsed cover story. Paradoxically, the people who inflicted lasting wounds on Gustawa were relatives, while a few brave strangers protected her like family. In May 1945, her father, weighing 110 pounds, emerged from the camps. Miraculously, he found his only reason to live: Gustawa. After the war, they arrived in America and Gustawa’s story was buried by the demands of assimilation: Gustawa became Janet.”
Genre	Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural, Young Adult, Highly Recommended
Themes	Holocaust, Europe, Identity, War, Judaism, Family
Who should read this book?	This is one of those books I simply have say that everyone should read. Five star review from me!
Why I liked it	I started reading this book in the evening and could not put it down until I reached the last page. It’s that kind of book. Janet has storytelling down to a tee and it very artfully flows. So high points for readability and story. But what a story this is. I’ve read books about the Holocaust and books from Holocaust survivors. This is a crucial genre because their stories simply can’t be forgotten and are relevant to our current world. Janet practically casts a spell on her audience with this one and her story is so unusual. It gives us an entirely different point of view and even for those of us who are well read on the Holocaust, it brings up some new and different perspectives–that of a child who was hidden and passed around for her own safety, but not necessarily in a caring way. The reader can imagine the fear and the puzzlement she must have had. This is a story that children could potentially relate to in different ways and it is a story that should find its way into many many classrooms much as Janet herself has. One has to greatly admire what she has achieved in her life. It could have been so very different.

Highly Recommended, Memoir, Multicultural, Nonfiction, Young Adult

Next Stop

Both a magical and meaningful bus trip! Hop aboard!!

Character, Friendship, Grief, Humor, Trauma, Travel

Title	Next Stop
Author	Debbie Fong
Publisher, Year & Pages	Random House, March 2024 272 pages, Middle Grade (8-12)
Summary from Publisher	“Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents’ decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won’t admit she believes in it, but she’s holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family. The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself. Next Stop explores grief, resilience, and learning how to laugh again. Debbie Fong weaves together an incredibly strong debut filled with humor and heart, with a splash of mystery and magic.”
Genre	Fiction, Children’s Fiction, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Themes	Travel, Grief, Friendship, Humor, Character, Trauma
Who should read this book?	This would be a great choice for a parent-child book group to discuss. Perhaps a good read for a therapy group focusing on grief. But also for readers who like quirky bus trips!
Why I liked it	I enjoyed this book, but as I was reading it I couldn’t help but wonder how the target audience would react to it. It’s quirky, but quite serious in that it addresses grief and loss and the impact of the death of a child. The idea of a middle school student on a bus tour alone and in her own motel room each night is a little far-fetched. I kept wondering why Pia and Sam weren’t sharing a room that had a door to Sam’s mom’s room. The road trip aspect struck me as more powerful than the grief aspect and the lake itself didn’t come magically alive for me. I do look forward to more from this author.

Children’s Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel

American Daughters

The lives of two very different daughters whose paths crossed.

African American, Coming-of-Age, Life, Racism, The South, Women

Title	American Daughters
Author	Piper Huguley
Publisher, Year & Pages	William Morrow, April 2024 368 pages
Summary from Publisher	“At the turn of the twentieth century, in a time of great change, two women—separated by societal status and culture but bound by their expected roles as the daughters of famed statesmen—forged a lifelong friendship.  Portia Washington’s father Booker T. Washington was a former slave who spent his life championing the education and empowerment of Black Americans through the Tuskegee Institute and his political connections. Dedicated to her father’s values, Portia contributed by teaching and performing spirituals and classical music. But a marriage to a controlling and jealous husband made fulfilling her dreams much more difficult.  When Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency, his eldest daughter Alice Roosevelt joined him in the White House. To try to win her father’s approval, she eagerly jumped in to help him succeed, but Alice’s political savvy and nonconformist behavior alienated as well as intrigued his opponents and allies. When she married a congressman, she carved out her own agendas and continued espousing women’s rights and progressive causes.  Brought together in the wake of their fathers’ friendship, these bright and fascinating women helped each other struggle through marriages, pregnancies, and political upheaval, supporting each other throughout their lives.”
Genre	Fiction, Historical Fiction
Themes	Women, African American, The South, Life, Racism, Coming-of-Age
Who should read this book?	It’s an immersing story about Portia Washington and Alice Roosevelt that stays pretty true to the era. I’d imagine it would be interesting to most readers.
Why I liked it	A lighter take on historical fiction that is a quick and satisfying read. The characters easily piqued my interest and some of the more uncomfortable dialog can be seen as being true to the times. It seems the author did her research quite thoroughly so the reader can assume that much of this story is authentic. It did make me want to read more about both of the American Daughters portrayed here and a book that sparks that feeling in the reader can be called a success. Less serious readers will also appreciate the flow of the book and not shy away from approaching history in this way.

Fiction, Historical Fiction

The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate

This book fills an important niche!

African American, Family, Food, Holiday

Title	The Juneteenth Cookbook: Recipes and Activities for Kids and Families to Celebrate
Author	Alliah L. Agostini
Publisher, Year & Pages	Quarto, April 2024 72 pages
Summary from Publisher	“A commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, the Juneteenth holiday has been observed in the Black community for over 150 years. In The Juneteenth Cookbook, Alliah L. Agostini, author of the popular children’s book The Juneteenth Story—which won the 2022 Black Kid Lit Award for Best Historical title—brings the tradition to your home through historically accurate recipes and educational family activities. With captivating illustrations of 18 quick and easy recipes, follow along with little Alliah and her grandparents as they explore the historical origins of the holiday through food. Make, share, and enjoy kid-friendly takes on some of the most popular Juneteenth celebration foods, including:  Red Velvet Ice Cream Sandwiches Frances Price’s Calico Potato Salad Saucy Pulled Chicken Sliders with Bangin’ Barbeque Sauce Freedom Fizz (homemade red pop) Hot Links & Chow Chow Relish Corn Muffins with Hot Honey Butter Mac ‘n’ Please Sweet Potato Pie Bars And more! Keep the celebration going with five fun and educational activity sections that include crafting projects (creating an African medallion necklace and designing your own Juneteenth gear with block printing); table and field games (playing mancala and having relay races); on-site or virtual field trips (visiting museums and historic locations or joining Juneteenth celebrations in culturally important American cities); and dancing to the music of the holiday with Alliah’s Cookout DJ 101 tutorial. These activities are perfect for families, community groups, or classes and bring elements of the road to emancipation and Juneteenth’s history to life.”
Genre	Nonfiction, Reference, Children’s Nonfiction, Cookbook
Themes	Holiday, Food, African-American, Family,
Who should read this book?	It’s a children’s book, but it is really a whole-family book. Considering how little most of us know about Juneteenth, we could all benefit from reading it. Happily it’s well done and a pleasure to read.
Why I liked it	A lovely and useful little book for a whole family to enjoy. First off, every library should have a copy and should put it on display for Juneteenth. It would also be a wonderful present to give to any family. It’s colorful, has a great layout, and is filled with information. It’s much more than just a cookbook and fills a niche in the holiday market.

Children’s Nonfiction, Cookbook, Reference

The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time

A success story in Paris.

Europe, Food, Women, Work

Title	The French Ingredient:Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time
Author	Jane Bertch
Publisher, Year & Pages	Ballentine Books, April 2024 304 pages
Summary from Publisher	“When Jane Bertch was seventeen, her mother took her on a graduation trip to Paris. Thrilled to use her high school French, Jane found her halting attempts greeted with withering condescension by every waiter and shopkeeper she encountered. At the end of the trip, she vowed she would never return. Yet a decade later she found herself back in Paris, transferred there by the American bank she worked for. She became fluent in the language and excelled in her new position. But she had a different dream: to start a cooking school for foreigners like her, who wanted to take a few classes in French cuisine in a friendly setting, then bring their new skills to their kitchens back home. Predictably, Jane faced the skeptical French—how dare an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?—as well as real-estate nightmares, and a long struggle to find and attract clients. Thanks to Jane’s perseverance, La Cuisine Paris opened in 2009. Now the school is thriving, welcoming international visitors to come in and knead dough, whisk bechamel, whip meringue, and learn the care, precision, patience, and beauty involved in French cooking. The French Ingredient is the story of a young female entrepreneur building a life in a city and culture she grew to love. As she established her school, Jane learned how to charm, how to project confidence, and how to give it right back to rude waiters. Having finally made peace with the city she swore to never revisit,she now offers a love letter to France, and a master class in Parisian cooking—and living.”
Genre	Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural
Themes	Food, Europe, Work, Women
Who should read this book?	If you have a thing for Paris and anything French, you’d definitely love this book.
Why I liked it	An American from Chicago moves to Paris and ends up quitting her job in a bank to open a cooking school. That’s a one sentence summary and her story is told well and includes plenty of detail about both people and culture. I’m not particularly interested in France and I don’t like French food, but I found myself immersed in this book just because her description of how she made this happen and what the pitfalls and successes were ended up being of great interest.

Memoir, Multicultural, Nonfiction