Class can be boring, or interesting, depending on what comes out of Hoodie’s (yes, like the sweatshirt) friend’s mouth. Because his best friend, Moshe Tzvi could make some interesting arguments with the Rabbi during halacha class where they were all learning about Jewish law. But on this particular day, Hoodie was more interested in the girl who was dancing outside the window of his school. Clearly, the girl was not an Orthodox Jewish girl, the only kind that Hoodie was supposed to notice, if he noticed any girls at all, which he also wasn’t supposed to do.
Still, something about the girl was compelling and against what little better judgement he had, he goes for a walk and he finds the girl and her dog again. And, once again, for some bizarre reason, he feels like he needs to talk with her. And that begins what turns out to be perhaps the best and worst thing to ever happen to Hoodie, at least up until that point in his life – which admittedly isn’t that old, since he is fifteen.
What Hoodie doesn’t realize though, in that moment, is that his actions will have lasting impact on his community as well as the town they have just recently moved into. Tensions are already high in Tregaron since the Orthodox Jewish community moved in, and what Hoodie and the girl do brings the feelings right to the surface.
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum is certainly written for those with a basic knowledge of Judaism, and many references will go over the heads of those not familiar with some of the words, however, Hoodie questioning what he’s been taught his whole life will ring true for any teenager looking to figure out where they belong and the meaning of it all.
Recommended for grades 8 and up.
Books in the Middle: Reading for Middle School 