Gr 6—8—Ellie Taylor, 14, is a driven young woman who desperately wants to excel at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp so that she can win a scholarship to prestigious Benedict's Conservatory. She has a great shot at winning, because she just loves to argue. With her friend Megan, Ellie shows up full of confidence and excitement, only to get immediately sidelined by the sight of handsome Devon Yeats. Not only is he sizzling hot, but he's also an excellent debater and is the grandson of the woman who will provide the funds for the scholarship winner. There's instant chemistry the first time the two lock eyes, but alas, true love never runs smoothly. Ellie quickly finds out that Devon's grandmother is anti-Semitic, and she has to decide whether to stand up for her Jewish faith or to shoot for her goals at any cost. Despite the predictable ending, kids will enjoy reading about likable Ellie's struggles and will get a real kick out of her grandfather.—Susan Riley, Mount Kisco Public Library, NY
Aspiring debater Ellie, who's Jewish, attends the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts Camp determined to win a scholarship to a prestigious high school. To her family's chagrin, she hides her Judaism when she learns that the scholarship's benefactor is anti-Semitic. The jokey title and cover belie the substantial, honest portrayal of a teen experiencing religious intolerance for the first time.
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