Review by Booklist Review
Eight-year-old Rachel Friedman excels at gymnastics, where she can stay in constant motion, but her ADHD makes it difficult to follow rules, especially those that involve staying quiet and not eating during Shabbat services at her temple. Dad, an overly cautious widower, tries his best, but Rachel's antics (turning cartwheels in the center aisle during shul) often try his patience. The two agree that if she follows all the rules for a week, Rachel can meet her gymnastics idol, Holly Luna. Then the family's indoor cat, Cookie, escapes, and Rachel fears only she can rescue her beloved pet. Kapit's early chapter book features diverse, recognizable characters (brown-skinned BFF Maya has two moms), believable situations (ignoring the family rule of not crossing the street to save Cookie), and an understated yet satisfying discussion by Rabbi Ellen about the reasons for sanctuary decorum and Jewish traditions of civil disobedience. Short chapters, large font, and cartoon-style black-and-white illustrations throughout help make the story more accessible to emerging chapter-book readers. Additional series titles to follow.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Jewish eight-year-old Rachel Friedman cartwheels onto the scene as the impetuous protagonist of this chapter book series opener by Kapit (Second Chance Summer). Gymnastics aficionado Rachel has little patience for rules, especially the unwritten ones about proper dress and no eating in the sanctuary during Friday night Shabbat services at shul. She chafes at the rules her father sets at home too, about not fighting with her older brother or wasting food. But when Dad offers to buy her tickets to meet her favorite gymnast in exchange for Rachel following "every single rule" for a week, she vows to do her utmost to earn the coveted prize. Her grand plan falls apart, however, when she embarks on a heroic search-and-rescue mission and demonstrates her tumbling prowess at shul. It's not until Rabbi Ellen informs Rachel that "questioning rules is a part of the Jewish tradition" that Rachel and Dad find common ground. Kapit weaves Jewish religious and cultural customs throughout this high-energy tale, which readers will want to visit again and again. A racially diverse supporting cast is rendered in warm and friendly grayscale spot illustrations by Kote (the Dollars to Doughnuts series). Ages 5--9. (June)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
For 8-year-old Rachel Friedman, life feels like one long list of rules. Finish your homework. Don't throw food at the table. Don't fall asleep in synagogue. Rachel, who has ADHD, doesn't understand the reasons for these directives, and she doesn't always follow them. After nearly a full week of good behavior, she breaks one of her father's most important rules--never cross the street alone--to rescue her escaped cat. As punishment, Rachel's father refuses to take her to see her favorite gymnast. So Rachel decides to make her next transgressions purposeful and public: wearing pajamas to synagogue and doing handstands in the sanctuary. Readers will sympathize with Rachel's frustration and applaud when the surprised rabbi validates her frustrations, though Rabbi Ellen's explanation of Jewish tradition may not scintillate. Energetic Rachel is a relatable protagonist, and her exasperated, protective father feels well realized, but secondary characters, such as her brother, Aaron, and her best friend, Maya, are only briefly sketched. The depiction of the family's Judaism is nuanced, however; Kapit captures the reality of many contemporary practicing Jews who balance their faith with the rest of their full lives. Rachel and her family appear light-skinned in Kote's grayscale illustrations, while Maya is darker-skinned. An enjoyable tale of a flawed yet deeply sympathetic protagonist. (Fiction. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
