Dreidels on the Brain, Joel ben Izzy
Dreidels on the Brain, Joel ben Izzy
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
Club: $10.00

Dreidels on the Brain

Author: Joel ben Izzy

Narrator: Joel ben Izzy

Unabridged: 7 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/04/2016


Synopsis

At last a great American Hanukkah story! This very funny, very touching novel of growing up Jewish has the makings of a holiday classic.

One lousy miracle.  Is that too much to ask?

Evidently so for Joel, as he tries to survive Hannukah, 1971 in the suburbs of the suburbs of Los Angeles (or, as he calls it, “The Land of Shriveled Dreams”). That’s no small task when you’re a “seriously funny-looking” twelve-year-old magician who dreams of being his own superhero: Normalman.  And Joel’s a long way from that as the only Jew at Bixby School, where his attempts to make himself disappear fail spectacularly.  Home is no better, with a family that’s not just mortifyingly embarrassing but flat-out broke. 

That’s why Joel’s betting everything on these eight nights, to see whether it’s worth believing in God or miracles or anything at all.  Armed with his favorite jokes, some choice Yiddish words, and a suitcase full of magic tricks, he’s scrambling to come to terms with the world he lives in—from hospitals to Houdini to the Holocaust—before the last of the candles burns out.

No wonder his head is spinning: He’s got dreidels on the brain. And little does he know that what’s actually about to happen to him and his family this Hanukkah will be worse than he’d feared . . . And better than he could have imagined.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Liz

The story: It's 1971, and Joel is looking for a Hanukkah miracle. Is that so much to ask? He just doesn't want to end up the loser in his own story. Too bad it seems like God isn't paying attention right this minute--cuz Joel isn't picky. The miracle could be a snow day in California, or a chance to......more

Goodreads review by Tyler

Such a fun book. Sweet, and so evocative of that awkward middle school feeling. AND the universal feeling that your family is weird and everybody else is normal. But very funny, and really especially for those who aren't quite so familiar with Hanukkah. And the Jewish folks will laugh even louder. O......more

Goodreads review by Randy

Joel Ben Izzy just became my favorite author after reading this book. As I imagine many others do, I first read The Beggar King and the Secret of happiness. Which I loved. As I read Dreidels on the Brain I could not stop thinking about how beautifully writing the stories were. I went through all the......more

Goodreads review by Sarah

Really fun! Reasons I figured it was pretty safe bet I would enjoy this novel: I am fascinated by Judaism. This book takes place in 1971; the '70's are one of my favorite time periods to examine (being a product of the '70's myself) It is set in a suburb of Los Angeles. Because I am a relatively new......more

Goodreads review by Maggie

Book covers fascinate me, and this one goes in the category of makes-no-sense-until-you've-finished-the-book. Still, it's intriguing, and much better (fortunately) than the book's rather unfortunate title, which I don't think is all that enticing (for kids, or anyone). I realize the author wants to......more


Quotes

Praise for Dreidels on the Brain

National Jewish Book Award Finalist

"A welcome addition to the canon of holiday stories."—Booklist

"This fresh, fast-paced read is a must purchase for any middle school collection. . . . As an aspiring magician, Joel understands manipulating belief and often uses his magic as a metaphor. . . . Seriousness is artfully balanced with Joel's comedic explanations of Yiddish words, and his perception of Jewish traditions."—School Library Connection

"Relatable and humorous. . . . A coming-of-age novel steeped in tradition [that] will appeal to anyone who has felt different and those who believe—or want to believe—in miracles."—VOYA