The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781646142644)

SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD WINNER
NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD WINNER

Kirkus Top 10 Middle Grade for Fall '23

SHAINDY is a twelve-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl who struggles in school and has no good friends. She watches with envy as her next-door neighbor, GAYIL, excels socially and academically. They have little to do with each other, and it comes as a surprise when Shaindy looks out her window one September evening and sees Gayil staring out at her from her own window with a sign reading want to know a secret?

The secret (at first) is that Gayil has a key fob that will allow them to break into their school after hours. Together, they set up a harmless prank in their classroom. But under Gayil's instigation the mischief becomes malice, and Shaindy sees that the pranks and humiliations are targeted only at certain girls. But what could they have in common? With the fear of Gayil's fury and her own reluctance growing, Shaindy comes to the terrifying conclusion that if she can't figure out how to stop it, the next target could be her.

P R A I S E

★ "Absorbing and principled... Lowe wastes not a word in crafting this taut and emotionally roiled exploration of culpability and forgiveness. Gayil is right-'sixth grade is hard'-and Shaindy's vulnerability will likely resonate deeply with readers who share Shaindy's longing for acceptance."
--Shelf-Awareness (starred)

★ "[An] introspective novel full of perceptive emotional observations."
--Horn Book (starred)

"Pitch-perfect... The struggle between trying to fit in and keeping true to yourself will resonate with all tweens."
--School Library Journal

"This thoughtful middle grade novel explores the complexity of middle school friendships, bullying, and what it means to make amends and have a fresh start."
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An enormously rewarding meditation on friendship, fairness, and forgiveness."
--Booklist

"A nuanced exploration of the intricacies of friendship... Engrossing and deeply relatable."
--Kirkus

Author: Mari Lowe
ISBN-10: 1646142640
ISBN-13: 9781646142644
Publisher: Levine Querido
Language: English
Published: 11/14/2023
Pages: 172
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.70w x 0.70d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.6
Point Value: 7
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 520993 / Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman

Award: Sydney Taylor Book Award - Gold Medal Winner

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2023
Publishers Weekly 09/25/2023
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2023
Booklist 10/15/2023 pg. 54
School Library Journal 11/01/2023 pg. 58
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2023 pg. 84
Shelf Awareness 12/15/2023