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Charlie asked me to share a children’s chapter book which will be inside our Christmas Gift Guide 23: Shira & Esther’s Double Dream Debut by Anna E Jordan that we received a physical copy of in exchange for this review.
Charlie wanted me to let you know the book has two girls on the cover but that shouldn’t stop boys from reading the story which is intriguing and fun. Charlie and I had fun learning about the girls and how they each had dreams which was what the other girl had in real life. Charlie and I laughed throughout the book.
Charlie says Shira and Esther’s Double Cream Debut is the perfect book for upper elementary age children but even children older than that and adults can learn things through the story. Which is leading to new lessons for Charlie and I to study in our Homeschool. As well as helping Charlie get off his stage fright and want to get up in Drama Class and perform.
I hope you take the time to check out Esther’s Double Cream Debut. Please add this book to your Holiday Gift Giving list not only for girls but teachers as well as it would be a nice addition to any classroom. Charlie said he can’t wait to visit our Library to make sure they have a copy and if not he is going to request they add it to there list.
About:
The switcheroo fun of The Parent Trap meets the showbiz spirit of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in this timeless coming-of-age story about family, friendship, and following your dreams.
When Shira and Esther first meet, they can hardly believe their eyes. It’s like looking in a mirror! But even though they may look identical, the two girls couldn’t be more different. Shira dreams of singing and dancing onstage, but her father, a stern and pious rabbi, thinks Shira should be reading Prayers, not plays. Esther dreams of studying Torah, but her mother, a glamorous stage performer, wishes Esther would spend more time rehearsing and less time sneaking off to read books. Oy vey! If only the two could switch places . . .
Would Shira shine in a big-time televised talent show? Would Esther’s bat mitzvah go off without a hitch? What’s a little deception, when it means your dreams might finally be within reach? One thing is certain: Shira and Esther are going to need more than a little chutzpah to pull this off. But if they do, their double dream debut is sure to be the performance of a lifetime.
FUNNY AND HEARTFELT FRIENDSHIP BOOK: Brimming with heart and humor, this unforgettable novel from a compelling new voice in young adult literature will make readers laugh, cry, and come back for more knishes.
FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMMUNITY: Themes of connection, unity, and the need for belonging will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.
JEWISH COMING-OF-AGE: This book represents and celebrates many ways of being Jewish while also inviting non-Jewish readers to share in what makes the religion, culture, and community so wonderful.
BRILLIANT EXTRAS: At the back of the book, a guide to Yiddish words and an author’s note on the research and inspiration behind the story invites learning and discussion.
Perfect for:
- Preteens and tweens looking for funny friendship books
- Parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians seeking Jewish children’s books
- Jewish and bicultural readers
- Readers who enjoy young adult historical fiction books
- Readers interested in theater, acting, music, and the arts
- Hannukah gift, theater kid gift, or bat mitzvah gift for girls
About the Author: Anna E. Jordan
Anna E. Jordan, an author and middle grades educator, was the recipient of the 2013 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery award and has an MFA from the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. SHIRA AND ESTHER’S DOUBLE DREAM DEBUT (Chronicle Books, 10/10/23) is her first novel. In addition to THIS PUP STEPS UP, her poems appear in the anthology THE PROPER WAY TO MEET A HEDGEHOG AND OTHER HOW TO POEMS (Candlewick, 2019).
You can also find her work national magazines including Ladybug, Babybug, Highlights High Five, Coxing Magazine, and Maine Women Magazine. Follow Anna on Twitter and Instagram @annawritedraw or on her blog Creative Chaos.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
