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March 21, 2003/Adar2 17 5763, Vol. 55, No. 30
Preteen novel looks at stepfamilies
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
For the last several months I have struggled in an effort to find good books for young people that have Jewish characters, but aren't necessarily focused on Jewish themes. The reason behind this is that while many Jewish young people see Judaism as an important part of their identity, it is not all that makes up who they are. So, I've wondered, why do Jewish children's books always focus on anti-Semitism or holidays or the Holocaust? Undeniably these are important topics, but I really feel that children's book publishers are missing the boat.
I fondly remember reading "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" by Judy Blume (Laurel Leaf, $5.50 paperback) as a preteen. Margaret was a product of a mixed marriage and was curious about her religious identity, but she was also curious about boys, puberty, friendship and family. I could identify with Margaret, as could the millions of other young girls who have read the book since it was published in 1970.
The first title reviewed here, "The Steps," is not a "Jewish" children's book, but it the story of a girl, who happens to be Jewish, and her struggles to adjust to her new family.
"The Steps" by Rachel Cohn (Simon & Schuster, $15.95 hardcover)
Annabel Whoopi Schubert is a worldly 12-year-old - president of her seventh-grade class at Progress School on the Upper West Side, and an aspiring fashion designer.
Daughter of divorced parents, actress Angelina and comedian Jack, Annabel's life is in disarray when her beloved Bubbe leaves for a winter vacation in Florida and Annabel is sent to Australia to visit her father, stepmother, stepsiblings and new half sister, baby Beatrice.
When Annabel arrives, she finds her stepsister Lucy and her stepbrother Angus calling her father "dad" and her new stepmother Penny annoyingly eager-to-please. Although Annabel tries as hard as she can to reject the also 12-year-old Lucy, they begin to develop a relationship. When Annabel's mother calls from New York to say she is remarrying to the father of the school nerd, Wheaties, and that they are having a baby, Annabel and Lucy band together and run away.
An "almost" teen, with all the self-centeredness of an only child, Annabel learns to adapt and eventually enjoy a new life full of "steps."
Annabel's preteen woes will resonate with middle-school readers, and the story is both funny and realistic.
This novel is recommended for readers age 8-12.
"What is Beautiful?" by Etan Boritzer, illustrated by Nancy Forrest (Veronica Lane Books, $14.95 hardcover)
This is the fourth book in Bortizer's "What Is?" series. With bright, colorful illustrations, this book poses questions about beauty that parents can discuss with children. With a focus on recognizing and celebrating inner beauty, the message of the book is heartwarming.
The other books in the series would also make great conversation starters. The best of the four is "What is Death?" also illustrated by Forrest. Often an extremely difficult topic to address with young children, "What is Death?" explores the physical, cultural, religious and emotional aspects of death from a child's point of view.
"What is God?" illustrated by Rob-bie Marantz, takes a multicultural look at what God means to different people. The book is successful in finding the commonalties in a variety of religions.
"What is Love?" illustrated by Marantz, is the weakest book in the series. It's all about hugs and rainbows, but doesn't explore the deep-er issues that are broached in the other books.
Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
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