â âA heartfelt and expertly written tale of loss, family, and friendship that will have readers blinking back their tearsâ¦Beautiful and sincere.ââKirkus Reviews, starred review
Evie Walman is not obsessed with death. She does think about it a lot, though, but only because her family runs a Jewish funeral home. At twelve, Evie already knows sheâs going to be a funeral director when she grows up. So what if the kids at school call her âcorpse girlâ and say she smells like death? Theyâre just mean and donât get how important it is to have someone take care of things when your world is falling apart. Evie loves dusting caskets, polishing pews, and vacuuming the chapelâand on funeral days, she dresses up and hands out tissues and offers her condolences to mourners. She doesnât normally help her parents with the grieving families directly, until one day when they ask her to help with Oren, a boy who was in a horrific car accident that killed both his parents. Oren refuses to speak and Evie, who is nursing her own private grief, is determined to find a way to help him deal with his loss.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Praise for previous books by Joanne Levy:
âLevy's narrative is spot on.ââBooklist review for The Sun Will Come Out
âThe story gives voice to the experience of Jewish preteens; chronic illness and disability are also sensitively tackled in this complex tale about difference, acceptance, and self-confidence. A heartfelt tear-jerker about love, friendship, and courage.ââKirkus Reviews review for The Sun Will Come Out
âUplifting, gentleâ¦Exudes inter-generational warmth, family love, and friendship.ââAssociation of Jewish Libraries review for Fish Out of Water
âThough brief, this text masterfully connects the toxic masculinity to its roots in deep misogyny, making Fish a hero people of all genders can stand up and cheer for. All readers will appreciate this bookâs nuanced messaging around gender roles and trusting yourself.ââKirkus Reviews, review for Fish Out of Water