Ellie’s Deli: Wishing on Matzo Ball Soup! by Lisa Greenwald

Author Lisa Greenwald, known for The Friendship List series and My Life in Pink and Green, brings us a middle grade novel with Jewish representation and coming of age at the forefront, in Ellie’s Deli, coming September 5th, 2023 from Andrews McMeel Publishing.

When she hears rumors that her family’s kosher deli faces closure amidst a waning Jewish population in her town, 11-year-old Ellie Gantz snaps into action, working with friends to come up with a plan to save it. An inspiring tale of community-building and kids embracing their Jewish culture, this book also grapples with the struggles of hanging on to childhood when faced with the adult pressures of helping one’s family. One of the strengths in the novel is the author’s integration of accurate middle school girls’ relationships and insecurities, relating the anxiety and complexity that comes with new members of a friend group.

With family recipes strewn throughout that cleverly reflect elements of the story, culinary Judaism is at the forefront, exemplified with adorable illustrations by Galia Bernstein. Good addition to any school library that serves 4th-6th graders.