AVIVA VS. THE DYBBUK

Is Aviva's dybbuk helping her through the hard times or just making life more difficult for her?

Aviva's life changed when her father died in the “accident”; not only do she and her mother have to leave their home to live over the mikvah (ritual bath in Judaism) where her mother works, but a dybbuk now lives with them, causing trouble that is often blamed on Aviva. But the dybbuk is also the only one who pays attention to Aviva; her bestie, Kayla, doesn't like her anymore; and it is all her mother can do to get out of bed some days. Forced to work together on the Bas Mitzvah Bash, Kayla and Aviva tentatively revive their friendship, battle the dybbuk, and face the reality that antisemitism is as near as the swastika etched into the sidewalk in front of the shul. Aviva is a realistic and complicated heroine, negotiating life after loss and the changing dynamics of friendship as well as figuring out who is the grown-up in her relationship with her mother. A rare find, a modern-day, middle-grade novel that focuses on, and honors, everyday Orthodox Judaism, this unforgettable story makes for an incredible window or mirror for readers. Characters present as White.

A heart-rending story of loss, community, friendship, and what it takes to heal and survive.