This is just a test : a novel

Title:

Author:

Rosenberg, Madelyn, 1966- author.

Added Author:

Shang, Wendy Wan Long,

Personal Author:

Rosenberg, Madelyn, 1966- author.

ISBN:

9781338037722

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

243 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm

Abstract:

In 1983 seventh-grader David Da-Wei Horowitz has a lot to worry about--his bar mitzvah is coming soon, his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers argue about everything, his teammates for the upcoming trivia contest, Scott and Hector, do not like each other, he is beginning to notice girls, and Scott has persuaded him to begin digging a fallout shelter just in case the Cold War heats up.

Reading Level:

690L Lexile.

Subject Term:

Chinese Americans -- Juvenile fiction.

Ethnicity in children -- Juvenile fiction.

Families -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Grandmothers -- Juvenile fiction.

Humorous stories.

Jews -- Juvenile fiction.

Chinese Americans -- Fiction.

Ethnicity -- Fiction.

Family life -- Fiction.

Friendship -- Fiction.

Grandmothers -- Fiction.

Jews -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

United States -- History -- 1945- -- Juvenile fiction.

United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Juvenile fiction.

United States -- History -- 1945- -- Fiction.

United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction.

Genre:

Bildungsromans.

Humorous fiction.

Summary:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Belmont	Book	JUV FICTION ROSENBE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Broad Rock	Book	JUV FICTION ROSENBE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... East End	Book	JUV FICTION ROSENBE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Ginter Park	Book	JUV FICTION ROSENBE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... North Avenue	Book	JUV FICTION ROSENBE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Westover Hills	Book	JUV FICTION ROSENBE	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

A 12-year-old boy is caught in the middle of cultures, friends, and growing up Chinese Jewish American in this hilariously witty and heartwarming coming-of-age story.David Da-Wei Horowitz has a lot on his plate. Preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah would be enough work even if it didn't involve trying to please his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers, who argue about everything. But David just wants everyone to be happy.That includes his friend Scott, who is determined to win their upcoming trivia tournament but doesn't like their teammate -- and David's best friend -- Hector. Scott and David begin digging a fallout shelter just in case this Cold War stuff with the Soviets turns south... but David's not so convinced he wants to spend forever in an underground bunker with Scott. Maybe it would be better if Hector and Kelli Ann came with them. But that would mean David has to figure out how to stand up for Hector and talk to Kelli Ann. Some days, surviving nuclear war feels like the least of David's problems.

Reviews (2)

Horn Book Review

David Da-Wei Horowitz (who is Jewish and Chinese) is preparing for his January 1984 bar mitzvah. But reading Torah "in front of about a zillion people" is the least of his problems considering the arguing between his culturally different grandmothers, drama in his middle-school friend group, and the real possibility of nuclear war. A realistic coming-of-age novel filled with witty yet sensitive cultural observations. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

In the months leading up to his bar mitzvah, David Da-Wei Horowitz deals with a host of middle school crises, from bickering grandmas and trouble talking to his crush to fearing the possibility of nuclear fallout. It's autumn 1983 in northern Virginia, and seventh-grader David Horowitz, who is Chinese and Jewish, is busy preparing for Jan. 21, 1984: when he's "being bar mitzvahed in front of about a zillion people." But that's only if he lives that long, considering that after watching The Day After, he's worried about what will happen if there's a nuclear holocaust. David's growing friendship with cool-kid Scott, a white boy, revolves around their school trivia team and their secret project: digging a fallout shelter. Meanwhile, at home, David's grandmothersWai Po, who lives with them, and Granny M, who lives next doorseem constantly on the verge of starting World War III themselves, bickering over whose culture should take precedence in David's and his younger sister's lives. David is a lovable intersectional protagonist, and the authors imbue his story with period-appropriate details, such as the novelty of divorced parents and Cold War fear. There's a lot to enjoy, but it's David's relationships with his two grandmothers that steal the show, especially when the rivals eventually unite to teach him he's not "half of each" but "all of both." A nostalgic and heartwarming period coming-of-age comedy. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.