My Basmati Bat Mitzvah

September 23, 2013
Freedman’s debut packs in questions about cultural and religious identity, mother/daughter conflicts, first crushes, middle-school dilemmas, and friend crises. At times, the mix can be overwhelming, but the author combines the many plot elements into a thought-provoking narrative. Seventh-grader Tara Feinstein’s bat mitzvah is fast approaching, and she is questioning her belief in God, as well as how the Jewish and Indian aspects of her heritage intersect. Tara’s Indian-American mother, a convert to Judaism, has strong feelings about how Tara should approach the bat mitzvah, reflecting her own need to fit in, but Tara wants to make choices for herself and incorporate Indian elements into the celebration. Meanwhile, things have gotten awkward with Tara’s best friend Ben-o, who seems to want to be more than friends; an irritating classmate, Ryan, is crushing on her, too; and Tara’s other best friend, Rebecca, is growing closer to “major know-it-all” Sheila. Tara’s inquisitiveness, openness, and determination to chart her own path stand out in this warm story of family, faith and the ways people are unique yet intertwined. Ages 10–14. Agent: Judith Riven Literary Agent.

Starred review from August 15, 2013
The latest spunky heroine of South Asian-Jewish heritage to grace middle-grade fiction, Tara Feinstein, 12, charms readers from the get-go in this strong, funny debut. Cheerful, sociable and a New Yorker through and through, Tara's blessed with two best friends: Ben-o, a gentile, and Rebecca, who's Jewish. Both girls attend Hebrew School. As boys prepare for their bar mitzvahs and girls for bat mitzvahs, Tara struggles with doubts (does she believe in God?) and fears devaluing her beloved Indian heritage. When Sheila Rosenberg tells Tara she's not a real Jew because her mother (an Indian-American convert to Judaism) wasn't born a Jew, Tara hits back--literally. Tara looks forward to working with Ben-o in Robotics Club for seventh grade. Instead, she's stuck with ADD-challenged Ryan Berger, whose interest is Tara, not robotics, and her comfortable relationship with Ben-o is threatened now that he seems to want to take it to the level of romance. Her simmering feud with Sheila complicates life further. Authors often mention but then shrink from exploring in depth their characters' mixed religious heritage; it's a sensitive subject that demands close scrutiny. Freedman bucks that trend, avoiding didacticism by portraying broader issues through Tara's personality and unique circumstances. As Tara learns in this skillful exploration, an important source of her special strengths--questioning spirit, empathy and strong ethical compass--is her mixed heritage. (Hindi-Yiddish glossary) (Fiction. 10-14)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2013

Gr 4-7-A sweet, lighthearted story of friendship with a touch of romance. Tara Bernstein, 12, is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah but, as she ponders her mixed Hindu and Jewish heritage (her Indian mother converted to Judaism), she wonders whether having a Bat Mitzvah is the right thing for her. In the meantime she is dealing with the ups and downs of her best (boy) friend, Ben-O, acting strangely toward her; her best (girl) friend becoming best friends with someone she dislikes; and a boy she despises having a crush on her. Added to all this angst is her fear of revealing that she accidentally burned a hole in a sari that is a family heirloom she was hoping to wear for her Bat Mitzvah. She is also reluctant to acknowledge that she and her friends are changing. As she makes her way through these challenges, she learns a great deal about friendship, family, and heritage. Freedman handles the ethnic and religious diversity of Tara's family and friends with a light touch, but doesn't shrink from exploring some of the complexities of a dual heritage. This will take its place beside Jenny Han's Shug (S & S, 2006): that is, if you can keep it on the shelves.-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2013
Grades 5-7 Tara's not sure she wants to have a bat mitzvah. Even though she's attended Hebrew school, her mother's Indian heritage has a pull on her, and she wonders if she dishonors her Indian grandparents by declaring her Judaism. Oh, and she's also not sure she believes in God. Debut novelist Freedman does a good job of exploring the feelings of a child of mixed heritage when it comes to culture, family, and religion. Setting the story in Manhattan gives it a realistic frame to discuss multicultural issues, though Tara sometimes seems a bit naive for a big-city kid. There's plenty of interpreteen action here, too, as Tara must navigate new terrain when one of her best friends (a girl) is interested in adding a third pal to their twosome, and another (a boy) seems to want to take their relationship to the next level. There are a few stereotypes here, especially Tara's Jewish grandmother, but this story will have resonance for many children of many faiths at the cusp of religious adulthood.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)