The Truth About My Bat Mitzvah

Caroline's half-and-half: her mom is Jewish and her dad isn't. She and her little brother, Sam, are right in the middle, which has been fine for many years for both kids. But even though the family celebrates Hanukkah as well as Christmas, Caroline begins to see that her mother's Jewish heritage is being pushed farther and farther into the background, becoming seemingly less important. Then Caroline's beloved Nana dies (her mother's mother), leaving behind a Star of David necklace for Caroline, which causes her to think even harder about her religious situation. Does this mean that she's officially Jewish? Caroline begins to want to be, wanting maybe even having a bat mitzvah like her best friend Rachel. But how would her parents feel about this? And will Caroline be able to find her true self? 

   Nora Raleigh Baskin has written a sincere, beautifully written story full of flashbacks, which makes the already-great plot even better. Readers will find themselves connecting with Caroline and sympathizing her situations as she encounters friend troubles, crushes, and school. With the same theme of Judy Blume's Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, The Truth About My Bat Mitzvah is a fabulous read for preteens. Fans of Sarah Darer Littman's Confessions of a Closet Catholic will also enjoy reading this novel.