“There is definitely not enough books out there about Orthodox Jews, so I grabbed this one in the Young Adult section in my library, while searching for Meg Rosoff's Just in Case (haven't read it yet, this one begged to be first). While I greatly enjoyed getting the know Hava and learning about her family and her opinions on various subjects, I found the whole concept of her working on a sitcom far fetched and her adventures in Hollywood left me cold, I even (almost embarrassed to admit) skipped a few pages here and there. Much about Hava's life left me wanting, I wish the author would have concentrated on what he knew best (like the tension between Hasidim and Modern Orthodox, male/female interactions among yeshiva students, influences of the 'outside' world on Orthodox Jews in their everyday life - not Hollywood). Having said all that, there is still enough meat (sorry, I mean tofu) in this book to give it a chance, and I am definitely picking up his second, would love to buy Matthue a cup of coffee and pick his brain on the dilemma of Modern Orthodox Judaism and writing in general.”
Nadia G wrote this review Sunday, April 20, 2008.
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