2025-06-13
A girl’s death leaves her family reeling with grief.
D.J. Rosenblum and her queer single mom (D.J. was conceived via sperm donor) are leaving Indianapolis to move to Briar, Ohio, to live with the Simons: D.J.’s aunt Judy, uncle Jay, and younger cousin, Davey. Fourteen-year-old D.J. used to have an older cousin, Rachel, but she died last year, apparently by suicide. However, D.J. is convinced Rachel was murdered—and she’s determined to find the killer. She’s also supposed to be studying for her upcoming bat mitzvah, postponed due to Rachel’s death. D.J. attempts to balance d’var Torah meetings with Rabbi Flores, Torah chant tutoring with the adorable Jonah Chen, the stresses of middle school, and her ongoing investigation. She makes two friends at her new school who become fellow sleuths—newspaper buddy Char Kumar and gorgeous queen bee Tori Taylor. In this blend of mystery and middle school drama, D.J.’s life is thrown into chaos as she desperately hunts for clues, in the process alienating people and sinking into depression. While a school newspaper subplot is thinly developed, the engaging, emotionally moving narrative deftly highlights the different ways people navigate the grieving process. The work is steeped in Jewish lifecycle traditions, but readers of all backgrounds will easily identify with the exploration of middle school stresses and friend and family relationships. The core Jewish values of life, learning, and family are well represented and accessible to all readers.
A poignant mystery exploring coming-of-age themes. (author’s note, resources)(Mystery. 12-16)