(4.25 stars)
I’m not quite sure how to write about this fascinating book. I don’t read a ton of middle grade books but this one called to me, with its golem theme. And I loved it. While it is meant for a middle grade audience (8-12?), it’s a bit intense, so I would say it probably would be better for the older portion of “middle grade” readers.

Faye and Shiloh (11 and 13 years old) have a Japanese mother and an Ashkenazi Jewish father (much like the author herself). We never meet them in the story, but they are there in the background. They live in Boston and are estranged from their paternal grandfather so they mostly know their mother’s family members. However, they seem to have been given a solid Jewish education. Both of them have been bullied at school for their mixed heritage as well as their Jewishness. In fact, the book opens with Shiloh coming home with a black eye. A final Bar Mitzvah gift arrives at the house and it’s a big carton of clay, sent by their Jewish grandfather in New York City. Their parents decide it’s time for the kids to get to know their Zeyde, so they are sent off to NYC for spring break, with the big box of clay. Faye narrates the story.

It turns out that Faye and Shiloh are descended from golemcrafters. Note: For anyone who doesn’t know what a golem is - it’s an animated, anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore, which is created entirely from inanimate matter, usually clay or mud. (Thank you to Wikipedia for this brief definition.) Its purpose is to protect the Jewish people. It doesn’t have free will but will do whatever its master/mistress tells it to do. (A mixed blessing, as you may imagine.)

Their grandfather tries to teach them about golemcraft, and shows them how to model the clay. He also teaches them life lessons - the stories he told at the fairytale-themed amusement park disturbed me, even while I could see the truth in what he was explaining to the kids. Faye and Shiloh dream in their sleep and find themselves in other places and times; gradually they understand that they are not in a fantasy world but are witnessing some very traumatic moments in the history of the Jewish people.

I don’t want to say much more but this book will have me thinking about it for quite some time. The author has provided an extensive bibliography at the end, which shows how much research she did. I just may try to find some of those sources to read more about some aspects brought to life in this story.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient, and allowed me to continue with the story even when I could not sit down and read - or when I could not listen. The audiobook was well-narrated by the author herself.

Thank you to Levine Querido and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of the audiobook version. All opinions are my own.

I loved this narrator, and I'm always a sucker for stories where kids get to meet their relatives through time. Right when they need it, Faye and her family get to experience golem magic, and Faye learns so much about her Jewish heritage and her place in the world. This is a middle school story, but I felt worried at some points when Faye traveled back in time and became part of dangerous events. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this heartfelt audiobook

God middle grade hits me right in the feels almost every time! This one for sure.

Faye and Shiloh are sent to practice Golem magic with their Zaide when Shiloh comes home with a black eye. Faye is very drawn toward the magic and together they learn to wield it and learn a lot about Jewish history and resilience.

It was so good and I’d recommend it to all ages but middle grade will love it for sure.
Narrator was great.

Thanks to netgalley and RB media for an alc