Reviews

The Truth about My Bat Mitzvah by Nora Raleigh Baskin

tcbueti's review against another edition

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5.0

This wonderful book begins with a quote, in Yiddish: "If I try to be like him, who will be like me?" How do we know who we are? Our family is not Jewish, but I think that many tweens and teens (and adults!) struggle with their religious and cultural identity: What do I really believe? What will people think of me? Why is my family the way it is? Family history shapes so much of who we are and who we will be, often without our knowing it. As Caroline remembers her grandmother, and learns more about her family's history, she get a clearer picture of who SHE is, and might become. Touching, funny, sad and terrific, with a wonderful sense of the importance of being yourself, no matter what religion you might follow.

calamitywindpetal's review against another edition

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informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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ailicoyote's review against another edition

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3.0

I have never read a book compared to "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" that wasn't an insult to Judy Blume. This book is about a jewish girl and that's where the similarity ends. "Truth" is a formulaic, predictable book that does have some thought-provoking faith-based ideas in it. However, it is too little and too generic to really be powerful. It has no cultural context to redeem it either. It is appropriate for the age group and may bring some good questions to the pre-teen mind: who you are and what do you believe in. Most likely it'll be a quick read that doesn't have any effect at all.
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