Noah Green Saves the World

September 1, 2020
Jewish summer camp adventures get a little too goofy. Budding director Noah is certain he's on his way to film camp--after all, he's been nagging his parents about it nonstop. But instead, he and his sister are shipped off to Camp Challah, where the socially awkward tween is not confident about making friends. Just before going away, Pops, Noah's grandfather, tells him he needs Noah's help saving the world. But the alter kocker is known for his bombastic pronouncements, so not even Noah takes him seriously until a carrier pigeon arrives with a note from Pops. Whatever anyone else expects--or doesn't expect--of Noah, his real plan is to do what Pops says. Somehow he ends up making friends who go along for the ride, nonsensical and unclear though it is. The first half of the book takes a more realistic tone, with typical camp activities, and it's not until halfway through that Pops reappears in the flesh to take Noah along. Not only is the pacing off, but it's odd when the antagonist threatening the world turns out to be an asteroid--not what readers might expect from a grandfather who regularly claims to have been a secret agent during World War II. A supporting character described as part Navajo makes wartime Code Talkers less the undersung heroes they are and more another goofball plot addition. Uncomfortably frenetic for something so devoid of plot. (Mystery/adventure. 7-10)

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