Not So Shy

I had picked this novel to share with my daughter, and I would say it has a target audience of 9-12 year olds. I felt it took a bit to get into, and Shai wasn’t a very likable character at first, but she totally grew on us. After finding the groove, it was a captivating read.
I found this had a fantastic and dynamic cast of characters and really painted some tough topics in a sensitive and digestible way for kids. I would totally recommend this for a young reader wishing to grow in their open mindedness and diversify their perceptions.
This was offered to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I flew through this wonderful book because I could not put it down. Twelve-year-old Shai's voice was remarkably relatable and resonant, and I felt as though I was right inside her head the whole time, seeing exactly how it felt to be in a new culture, far from home. It's very hard on Shai when her father's job takes her family from Israel to the United States, and it's especially interesting to read about all the experiences she has with her peers in her new school and living in a country that is so different from her homeland. This is one of those books that is very important for kids to read, as it will help to build empathy between children of different cultures. The characters in this story are so well-drawn, and the events will grab readers by the heart. Three cheers and five stars for debut author, Noa Nimrodi.