Dreidels on the Brain

Joel is the only Jewish kid at his California school, it's Hannukah 1971, and he's looking for a miracle.  Snow in California?  A deal with God over a spinning dreidel?  Maybe just a miracle for his father who has a debilitating form of arthritis that has bent his spine and limited his ability to walk would be enough.

Joel dreams of being a superhero, Normalman.  Fat chance for a weird look kid with braces, hideous glasses, and a father whose joints make clicking noises when he walks.  Plus, his family is always broke.  His father was laid off from his engineering job, and his ingenious inventions never seem to make it off the ground. 

He's a pretty good magician and quick with the jokes, but life and maybe God seems determined to get him down.  As bad as things are, this Hannukah will bring even more problems.  One of his favorite stories is the tale of the Schlemiel.  The Schlemiel is the guy always spills his soup.  The Schlamazel is the guy the Schlemeil spills his soup on.  Joel doesn't want to be either, but at least things work out in the end for the Schlemeil.

This new book by Joel ben Izzy is a touching and funny exploration of family, faith, and being a twelve-year-old boy.  Highly recommended.