In Mendel the Mess-Up, an accident-prone Jewish boy turns his weaknesses into strengths in opposition to rampaging Cossacks.

Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan. Vacation Home, 2024, 200 pages.

Studying Stage: Center Grades, ages 8-10

Really helpful for: ages 8-14

I’m caught in a tree with my worst enemy, trying down at a pack of half-starved wolves that may hardly wait to eat us alive, and a few questions are operating by way of my thoughts. [Beginning with] Why can’t I do something proper?

Mendel is a pleasant child, however actually can’t appear to do something proper. After nearly impaling his sister with the ax or setting fireplace to the desk whereas making an attempt to set the desk, all he can say is “Sorry.” It’s not his fault, Mama explains: It’s as a result of Starface Matja put the evil eye on Mendel earlier than he was born, so all the things he touches turns to ash (typically actually). The result’s that everyone in his village of Lintvint is aware of him as “the Mess-Up.” His mind appears to be tousled too; On the synagogue faculty he can’t appear to recollect any of “the E book” (Talmud). How can he be Bar Mitzvah’d? Nuli, the neatest child on the town, shares a mnemonic trick that appears to work, however in entrance of the rabbi the phrases fly proper out of Mendel’s head.

Quickly, although, he has extra to fret about: the Cossacks are coming! They’re wreaking havoc all through Russia, and it seems to be like Lintvint is their subsequent goal. Efforts to redirect them fail—extra mess-ups—and fleeing up the mountain is their solely recourse. Burdened with guilt, Mendel banishes himself from the others however finally ends up by chance letting the goats unfastened, simply earlier than operating headlong into the Cossacks. Throughout the wild trip that follows, he learns extra about his enemies and uncovers secrets and techniques that simply might assist defeat them. For good.

Writer LaBan aspired early to be a cartoonist, and his graphic-novel model is daring, exaggerated, and hilarious. The “comedian” violence could also be a bit a lot for delicate readers, however there’s some depth and ethical content material, in addition to hints at redemption. Mendel’s buddy Nuli encourages him to assume in a different way, research onerous, and switch his weaknesses into strengths. God (Hashem) isn’t talked about, however the Talmud, or rabbinic commentary on the Regulation, is a information for doing the appropriate factor. LaBan consists of notes about what’s traditionally correct and what’s made up, and Nuli’s reminiscence trick might even assist some gradual learners within the studying viewers.

Backside Line: A quick and livid learn with coronary heart.

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