The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe (review)

Reviewed by: The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe Sarah Sahn Lowe, Mari The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman. Levine Querido, 2023 [176p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781646142644 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 5-7 Shaindy has always felt invisible—at school, at summer camp, and in her small, Orthodox Jewish neighborhood—so it's both puzzling and exhilarating when Gayil Itzhaki, the most popular girl in her class, invites Shaindy to join her on a secret mission. Gayil has found a keycard to their school building, and has a plan to play some harmless pranks, "a fun distraction" supposedly to ease their classmates' stresses of sixth grade. Every moment of Gayil's attention feels like a precious gift, but as the pranks go on they only get more upsetting. Even Shaindy can't deny that Gayil seems gleeful about the hurt she's causing, but in her moments alone with Gayil, Shaindy feels like she sees a side to the perfect Bais Yaakov girl that she doesn't show anyone else. Set over the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah, the new year, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, 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. What are initially posed as petty grievances are seriously examined as true hurts once Shaindy figures out that Gayil was targeting her all along, and she then must contend with her own feelings of anger and betrayal, making for a story that resists easy answers. The adults in the novel are refreshingly sensible about the whole affair; Shaindy's parents believe her story, and her teacher and school principal discern that the situation is more complicated than they initially saw. Most religious and cultural practices are explained in context, but non-Jewish and less observant readers may be interested in looking up some terms and concepts for more detail. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois