By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I know that when some readers see that the books I’m reviewing are for teens/tweens, they figure the works have nothing to offer them and turn the page. However, the novels in this review aren’t only for the young and young at heart. “The Judgment of Yoyo Gold” by Isaac Blum (Philomel) is a book parents should read with their teenagers, while R. M. Romero’s “Tale of the Flying Forest” with illustrations by E. K. Belsher (Little, Brown and Company) manages to enchant and offer life lessons for every age. 

“The Judgment of Yoyo Gold” is Blum’s second novel and it is as well done as his first. (To read The Reporter’s review of “The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen,” visit Off The Shelf: Novels for teens and tweens (and some adults) Both of his books take place in Orthodox communities and focus on the difficulties teenagers face trying to reconcile the modern world and their Orthodox practice. It’s important to note that neither work is anti-Orthodox. The struggles Yoyo faces come from her deep connection to her family and community.

Yoyo has always been the perfect teenager, at least according to her parents: the daughter of a rabbi, she takes care of her siblings and does the grocery shopping, helping the household run smoothly. Her teachers adore her and expect her to help her classmates and organize school events. She also makes the schedule for the local Jewish food bank deliveries and helps deliver the packages. Yoyo has been content with her life: she’s organized and loves being helpful. However, when her best friend is sent away to boarding school for inappropriate behavior, Yoyo feels lost. There’s no one she can truly be herself with, rather than the perfect version she presents to the world. 

Since Yoyo doesn’t think her friend should have been banished for what she sees as a minor transgression, Yoyo begins to note that others are not living up to community standards either. The front these people present frequently doesn’t match their inner selves. And the punishments some people face – for example, a friend of her brother’s having been kicked out of his yeshiva in Israel – are far harsher than their actions or questions deserved. Although unfiltered cell phones are forbidden in the community, Yoyo learns about TikTok and, in order to prevent her increased frustration with people’s behavior from boiling over, she begins to post her own videos, speaking about what she sees as the hypocrisy that surrounds her. However, as she ventures further from her world, she discovers that she is just as imperfect as everyone else. 

Blum does an excellent job creating three-dimensional characters. Not only do their dilemmas feel real, readers come to understand the difficulties they all face. My only quibble is that I would have liked to know more about Yoyo’s sister, Naomi, who spends her free time reading fantasy novels, rather than helping around the house. While it’s clear she is trying to escape her surroundings, that issue is never fully explored. However, since the novel is narrated by Yoyo, Blum concentrates on her thoughts and actions. 

While “The Judgment of Yoyo Gold” is a realistic novel and “Tale of the Flying Forest” is a fantasy, they both have something in common: fathers who have difficulty communicating with their daughters. Yoyo’s father is only able to express himself in Torah stories and parables, which leaves her to puzzle what lesson he is offering. The same is true for 11-year-old Anne Applebaum, the main character in “Tale of the Flying Forest,” whose father offers her poetry, rather than hugs and commiseration, after the death of Anne’s mother. Unfortunately his actions leave Anne feeling even more alone. In fact, she’s always felt there was something missing in her life. That might be the twin her mother thought would be born with Anne. Her mother was so certain she was having twins that she picked out his name: Rainer.

When Anne’s mother was alive, the two of them would read from a book called “The World to Come,” which offered stories about life in a flying forest called Bei Hai. Imagine Anne’s surprise when she learns that not only is Bei Hai a real place, but her missing brother lives there. Unfortunately, he was stolen by an evil witch. Remembering her late mother’s words of encouragement – chazak ve’ematz (be strong and courageous) – Anne leaves her home to save her brother. Her journey is filled with fascinating characters and exciting adventures. 

The novel’s enchantment is aided by a narrator who offers hints and suggestions about the action, many thought-provoking enough for adults to also ponder them. The illustrations by Belsher are beautiful and make the text come alive. In an author’s note, Romero writes that she was inspired to write “Tale of the Flying Forest” after learning that the Talmud mentions a mystical forest called Bei Hai. When she realized that the Talmud made no further mention of the enchanted place, Romero decided to create her own version. Her novel is infused with Jewish lore and Jewish sayings, something which will enthrall tween, teen and adult lovers of Jewish fantasy. It is also creative, sweet and warm. In fact, it’s difficult to find the right words to describe just how captivated I was by “Tale of the Flying Forest” from its opening to its conclusion.