The Jake Show
In Joshua S. Levy's hilarious and charming middle grade novel, a Jewish seventh grade boy is caught between the worlds of his divorced parents--with an orthodox mother and secular father, Jake must concoct a web of lies to go to a summer camp with his friends. Perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Erin Entrada Kelly. A Sydney Taylor Honor Book!
For TV-obsessed Jake Lightman, his parents' divorce is like his favorite show getting canceled: The worst. Now he's stuck between playing the role of "Yaakov" for his mother and "Jacob" for his father.
On Jake's first day at a new school, Caleb and Tehilla barrel into his life. Suddenly, he has two friends who seem to like the real Jake. And when they invite him to Camp Gershoni for the summer, Jake knows he has to go--even if his parents won't let him.
With help from Caleb and Tehilla, Jake concocts a web of lies to get to camp. But he struggles to keep up the ruse--and be a good friend at the same time. As the cost of lying grows, he must decide what's truly important or risk losing the people he cares about the most.
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Joshua S. Levy is the author of several middle grade novels. Born and raised in Florida, Josh has worked at Jewish organizations (including camps!) across the denominational spectrum and holds a master's degree in Jewish education from Yeshiva University. He now lives with his family in New Jersey, where he practices as a lawyer. Josh will always play Gaga if asked. You can visit him online at joshuasimonlevy.com
"Astutely depicts the pain of a contentious divorce, the balm of friendship, and the complexity of Jewish culture." -- Kirkus Reviews
"You'll root for Jake as he navigates friendships, parents, religion, and figuring out who he is--and who he wants to be. Heartfelt and hilarious, The Jake Show is a coming of age story you don't want to miss." -- Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series
"A heartfelt story about discovering yourself while being pulled in two directions, Levy's The Jake Show had me laughing through tears and cheering for Jake every inch of the way. Give this TV-loving kid his Emmy; he deserves it." -- Nicole Melleby, award-winning author of Hurricane Season
"A relatable coming-of-age story filled with family strife, fraught friendships, and ridiculous decisions. Funny, heartwarming, and authentic, The Jake Show is a hit!" -- Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole
"This comical, authentic, and firmly Jewish caper should play to rave reviews with both secular and spiritual audiences." -- Booklist
