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July 1, 2020
Classic rom-com setup with teen angst underpinnings. Jewish Shoshanna has a perfectly imperfect life: her parents, Mom and Mama, have always showered her with love and affection; her amazing best friends, Geraldine and Cheyenne, always have her back; and while money is tight, Shoshanna has a dream job at Once Upon, the independent bookshop in the local mall. But this year everything feels different: Her mothers are fighting, and the new hire at the bookstore (attractive Jake, who is Jewish--a rarity in their Georgia city) has made Shoshanna's happy space fraught. A diverse cast of secondary characters lack dimension but are respectfully portrayed (even the supremely weird goth couple at the bookstore) while frequent musings on favorite books and Harry Potter references will make any book nerd's heart flutter even before the romance begins. This fast, undemanding read offers snappy dialogue, implausibly happy endings almost all around, and affirmation for nerdy girls everywhere. Contemporary Jewish characters remain elusive; this may not be a zinger, but it fills a niche, and Jewish teens seeking themselves in text will particularly appreciate it. Shoshanna, her parents, and Jake are white; Geraldine is Mexican American, Cheyenne has dark brown skin and is queer, and there is diversity in the supporting cast. Perfectly pleasant. (Romance. 12-16)

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July 17, 2020

Gr 6 Up-Silverman's (Girl Out of Water; You Asked for Perfect) latest is permeated with just as much teen drama, angst, romance, and laughter as her earlier works. Shoshana is a peppy high school student from Georgia with the most incredible moms, friends, and boss a girl could have. An aspiring author, she loves her job at the Once Upon independent bookstore and enthusiastically recommending books to people. Her happiness begins to peter out over winter break when her car, "Barbara Streisand," breaks down and the new (and cute) sales clerk, Jake Kaplan (who doesn't even read books!), gives her the cold shoulder. To exacerbate matters, her mothers, who have been bickering lately about money and responsibilities, have forgotten their "Latkepalooza" last-night-of-Hanukkah family tradition. Shoshana believes that fixing each and every one of her problems will make everything better; however, her actions may be causing more drama than closure. Silverman creates a delightful coming-of-age story, featuring LGBTQ parents and friends. The protagonist (like many her own age) discovers that life isn't a fairy tale and that growing up means facing real-life problems that cannot be solved so easily. VERDICT This book is destined for rom-com fans and those who have worked in retail and know the plight of customer service.-Beronica Puhr, Oak Park P.L., IL

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