Let It Glow

July 29, 2024
Aviva Davis knows she was born to sing and dance, so when her bubbe suggests she try out for the Hanukkah number in the holiday pageant at her senior center, Aviva is all in. She’s less certain about her Jewish identity—her adoptive father isn’t Jewish, and her family doesn’t “celebrate anything,” though she does persuade them to observe Hanukkah this year. Meanwhile, Holly Martin, also adopted, wishes her mother wasn’t too busy for Christmas and that she could take better care of her grandfather, who walks with a cane and is a writer like Holly. The girls meet when Holly’s family tours the senior center, and they soon discover that not only do they look identical, they have the same birthday. Curious about how the other spends the holidays, the tweens hatch a cheeky scheme that recalls The Parent Trap, switching places. Via alternating chapters, Holly and Aviva avoid near discovery, miss their families, plan for the pageant, and learn what being sisters feels like in this charming family-focused holiday tale by Levy (Bird Brain) and Meyer (Instant Karma). The Martins, Aviva, and Bubbe are white; Aviva’s father is Black. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Levy) Hilary McMahon, Westwood Creative; (for Meyer) Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary.

September 1, 2024

Gr 5 Up-A tale of two girls from different families who meet and determine they are identical twin sisters. Aviva Davids has always known she comes from a blended family; she was adopted at birth by a Jewish mom and a Protestant father and enjoys an outgoing life with her two brothers. She feels closest to her Jewish grandmother and wishes her family celebrated more religious traditions-she even insists that her family celebrate Hanukkah this year. Holly Martin, who's also an adoptee, lives with her overworked mom, elderly grandfather, and pet cat. She leads a quiet life, loving to read and write stories. She is looking forward to getting a Christmas tree and celebrating the holiday. When Holly and Aviva meet at a talent show rehearsal at a local retirement center, they are shocked at their similarities. They realize they must be twins and want to learn more about each other's traditions and family members. Aviva learns that families can be quiet and subtle, while Holly learns all about Jewish traditions. After a few days of living with each other's families, the girls reveal their true identities at the talent show. Once the shock wears off, both families are delighted and surprised that they didn't know that the daughter they adopted was a twin. VERDICT Meyer and Levy bring warmth and depth to the classic separated-at-birth trope with this gentle story. Recommended for tween fiction collections.-Charla Hollingsworth

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2024
Grades 4-7 Aviva and Holly, two 12-year-old girls, discover that they are identical twins. Each was adopted; their parents weren't ever told that their daughter had a twin. When both girls volunteer to help with a December holiday pageant, they meet by chance--leading to many questions and an immediate bond. Both are conflicted about the pageant: Aviva doesn't feel "Jewish enough" to be the only kid representing Judaism in the show; Holly promises Aviva to sing with her onstage, but suffering from stage fright, she dreads performing. Vivacious Aviva aims for onstage glory, while Holly hopes to become a writer. Holly and Aviva narrate alternating chapters. Much of the action takes place when the twins secretly switch places for several days to better understand each other's families and their December holiday celebrations. The ending is as predictable as that of a Christmas-themed rom-com and just as enjoyable for tweens. Meyer, who usually writes for teens, and Levy, who writes middle-grade fiction, offer a lively, engaging narrative.

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October 15, 2024
In a funny, feel-good tale, 12-year-old twins separated at birth meet by chance and try to pull off a family switch during the December holidays. The girls, who are cued white, agree that it would be a delicious prank, but each has a personal motive, too: Aviva Davis, who was adopted by a culturally Jewish mom and a Black dad who was raised Christian, wonders what it's like to celebrate Christmas. Budding author Holly Martin, who was adopted by a white-presenting single mom, sees a golden opportunity to gather experiences for a school writing assignment about facing her fears. In a plot as sweet as a Hanukkah jelly doughnut and twisty as a Christmas cinnamon roll, the pair just manages to bail one another out of a string of sticky situations--both hilarious and otherwise. They both learn something of the customs and meaning of the two holidays while working through tears and laughter--not to mention conflicts sparked by their very different personalities. Everything culminates in a holiday performance at a local senior center that will have readers rising up to cheer them on. Though their history remains tantalizingly mysterious, for the protagonists, who narrate alternating chapters, it's mission accomplished and more: Aviva emerges feeling more secure in her Jewish identity, while anxious Holly discovers unexpected depths of courage. A warm bundle of holiday cheer. (song lyrics)(Fiction. 8-12)

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