Starred review from December 15, 2014
Goldblatt's sequel to Twerp (2013) chronicles the momentous events of Julian's seventh-grade year. A friend's devastating illness and a false accusation of vandalism upend Julian's life. His friend Quentin's diagnosis of a brain tumor occurs at a pivotal moment, just as he is preparing for his bar mitzvah. Julian seeks guidance from his rabbi about his struggles to comprehend life, heaven and God. Their conversations address the uncertainty and inequity of life's fortunes and misfortunes. Goldblatt movingly depicts the steadfast friendship enjoyed by Julian's group of pals as they support Quentin, deftly painting the small moments. In one, when the ailing Quentin asks to join in on a game of tag, it results in the spontaneous creation of "Piggyback Tag," perfectly capturing the solidarity and joy of true friendships. Interwoven with his anxiety over Quentin's illness is Julian's evolving awareness that his past will always be a part of his present. After being blamed for vandalizing a student's artwork, Julian must write an essay on citizenship for his principal. Although he initially resists, Julian's essay becomes a distillation of his experiences, reflecting his growing understanding of life's complexities. When Julian discovers a seemingly unbearable truth, he must summon the resolve to weather the trials life may deliver. Goldblatt's outstanding tale ponders a timeless, universal dilemma as a remarkable boy seeks to reconcile the heartbreak and uplift that punctuate his life. (Fiction. 11-14)
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February 1, 2015
Gr 5-8-Julian Twerski and the gang from Twerp (Random, 2013) are now in seventh grade, and it seems like they're dealing with an even bigger set of challenges than last year. When Julian is accused of vandalizing a painting at school, he gets locked into a battle with his new principal that he surely can't win. He begins to develop new feelings for his friend Beverly, to the dismay of Howie, her longtime admirer and Julian's friend. Most upsetting of all, Quentin has cancer. Julian, with the help of his friends, finds himself navigating the year before his bar mitzvah in search of what it means to grow up and be a good citizen. Goldblatt takes advantage of Julian's newfound love of writing, adding an honest and forthright tone to the boy's journal entries. A wide variety of readers will relate to Julian's questions about fairness, faith, and friendship. VERDICT An excellent companion to Twerp, this novel also stands alone.-Amanda Augsburger, Moline Public Library, IL
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
February 15, 2015
Grades 5-8 Julian, first introduced in Twerp (2013), is now in seventh grade and doesn't quite know what he is doing. He goes to Hebrew school, preparing for his bar mitzvah, but when his friend Quentin develops a tumor, Julian has big questions his rabbi cannot answer. Another friend, Beverly, annoys him constantly by challenging him to race herand he can't decide if he is insulted or flattered by the attention. When the principal accuses him of defacing school property, Julian refuses the punishmentwriting an essay on citizenshipbecause he is innocent. Throw in some 1970s Yankees and a Jewish neighborhood near an historic Quaker home in the Bronx, and you have a period piece with themes of friendship, faith, and loss that transcend time. Based on the author's childhood, the setting is vividly imagined, and difficult questions about life and death are explored, offering no easy answers. Fans of Twerp will delight in this new tale of friendship with a touch of baseball.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2015
Julian and his neighborhood friends are devastated when one of their crew is diagnosed with brain cancer. Despite their friend's declining health, Julian and the others try to keep him in the loop as they hang out, create minor mischief, and face bullies. Set in 1960s Queens, this is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to support others in times of need.
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)