Title: The Adventures Of Jeremy & Heddy Levi
Author: Yaffa Ganz
Publisher: Pitspopany Press

Yaffa Ganz’ realistic and enjoyable characters are updated and fun for their readers. The charm of the Levi family is that they speak without the stilted goody-goody dialogue sometimes found in juvenile literature. A typical sample of this happens in a chapter entitled “The J&S Employment Agency.”

Ganz has the 12-year old Jeremy saying, “Mom tried hard to explain why we should be willing to help in our own homes without being paid. She said we were big kids, and as part of a family, it was our responsibility to help out… I told her that as soon as I saw Heddy helping, I’d buckle down and help, too…”

The plaintive big-brother versus pesky little sister kvetch is answered by a matter-of-fact mother countering that she wants her son to set a good example. Jeremy doesnÆt finagle his way out of chores and young readers vicariously learn that the age-old battle is a matter of moral development that can be survived. Another plus for young readers is the realization
that family squabbles are a normal part of life. As a local twelve-year old said, “Their conversations sound like what happens at my house!”

The book is an updated collection of past Levi Family stories with new illustrations and all the familiar fun. Details of Orthodox Jewish life are presented without preachiness and just enough information to inform non-religious readers with eyes and minds full of curiosity. From principals pleading for students to reach their “potentials” to flooded adventures, annoying piano lessons, and the best of birthday gift intentions gone awry, The Adventures of Jeremy and Heddy Levi is a book for children across the Jewish spectrum.

This hardcover book would be a delightful tool for mutual enjoyment in families divided along religious lines. Concepts can be shared in common and in cheerful friendliness between secular grandparents and their Orthodox progeny. A worthy addition to school libraries and a good present for some lucky child, Pitspopany Press has provided another winner for
Jewish bookshelves.

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Yocheved Golani is the author of highly acclaimed "It's MY Crisis! And I'll Cry If I Need To: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge" (http://booklocker.com/books/3067.html). It addresses and solves many needs of disabled, ill and recovering readers.