Description
Everyone has their own song. But Melody never seems to be in tune with anybody else in the tiny Midwestern town she lives in. Her parents are dead, and her aunt and uncle treat her like an ugly duckling who got mixed in with their chicks. Of course, there’s a reason she’s different.
She’s the only kid in town whose mother was Jewish. Melody isn’t sure how much longer she can stand the freezing Midwestern winters and her even colder relatives. But just when she thinks all is lost, a glimmer of hope appears from a completely unexpected place. Melody’s life is about to change in ways she never could have imagined, even in her wildest dreams…
Author Barbara Bensoussan
ISBN 9781614658436
Date Published July 2022
Pages 384
Cover Type Hardcover
Sylvia –
Book Title: A New SongAuthor: Barbara BensoussanGenre: Teen & Young Adult Jewish FictionBook Reviewed By Sylvia J.Let me start off by saying that the cover of each book is very important and really makes a difference to the eye of the reader. Before I open each book I as a reader like to imagine what I am about to read just based on the cover. I know, based on the description and the cover, that music will play a role in this book.This book has a very good start to it, and I am already hooked and invested in it from the very beginning. One can already tell that there’s going to be much going on in this book. Did someone say drama? I say yes. Will you be hooked?We learn about a girl named Melody who grew up in the midwest, who didn’t look like anyone else in her family and who was unfortunately teased at school. Why did she look so different? Is there a secret that we don’t know? Was this a family secret that was barely mentioned?Melody’s father, Bob Wheaton, had an astonishing talent for music at a very young age. He took up the piano and trumpet and played it in many groups. Melody‘s mother was named Susan. She was a violinist who had studied at the same university as Bob. They both shared a love of music, and soon after they got married, Melody came along after a while. Melody‘s mother was Jewish. Bob was not Jewish.The couple took jobs where they would play music for people and travel on the road to their destinations. They dropped Melody off at her uncle’s house, but this time they never returned. Unfortunately, everyone in the restaurant that they had played their music for, had died of smoke inhalation as per the newspaper article. Now, Melody‘s mother had been an only child, and Melody’s grandparents had passed away already.Melody now lived with her uncle Wes and her aunt Connie who were not Jewish. This was her father’s brother’s family. The town they lived in was very small and there weren’t any Jewish people there. The only one who was Jewish was Melody‘s mother. Now that she passed there weren’t any Jewish people living there anymore.Melody didn’t feel like her aunt and uncle liked her too much. She felt they took care of her out of obligation and that they felt it was their duty to do so.Will Melody run away? Does Melody feel like she has nothing in common with her aunt and uncle? Will she meet an old man on the way who seems quite unusual. Will she tell him that she doesn’t get along with her family? Will she tell him that she has no one else? Will she become teary-eyed? Will she consider him to be a very sympathetic listener?She tells the old man that her mother was Jewish. The old man tells her if your mother was Jewish that means you are Jewish.He also starts to explain the Jewish religion to her. He explains to her that the reason you have a hard time living with your aunt and uncle is because they are not Jewish and you have a Jewish soul that is starving for Jewish holiness. How did this old man know her name? She never met him before. Melody was quite puzzled by this, so much so that she forgot her troubles with the Wheatons temporarily. Now Melody will have to return to the Wheaton’s house. How will that go? Let’s hope it goes well.Melody wants to go to the library now and find out all she can about Judaism. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find much about Jews and Judaism in her library, and was disappointed. Will Melody ever find the answers she needs?Does Melody receive a card in the mail from her mother’s side of the family? Do they live in Brooklyn? I wonder what the card says? Did these relatives all of a sudden take an interest in her well-being? Would she now find answers to the questions about Judaism that she has? The names of the relatives are Daniella and David. Will she write them a letter? Not one person around her was Jewish, so she had much to find out. Will they be writing back-and-forth to each other? What will Melody learn?Melody loves playing the guitar. She considered it to be one of her favorite things to do.Melody was really unhappy, she didn’t like living in that house. Will she ever get out of that house? One day when she looked out the window, who was seen coming up the walk? Will there be a man wearing a yarmulke with his wife? Will these people be her cousins? Will she go for a visit with them? Was Melody adopted by her aunt and uncle or not? Was there a will left by Melody‘s parents? If there wasn’t, she could be free to go back and live in Brooklyn perhaps with her cousins. There is much going on in this story. If she goes back to live in Brooklyn for a little while what things will change for her? This family is religious and keeps kosher. Will she now get a crash course in Judaism?I had a really hard time putting this book down. I like the way the story was explained. It was written very well. This book is well suited for a young teen, and personally even an adult would like this book in my own personal opinion. Unfortunately, in many books, sometimes the Ultra Orthodox Jew is described in a very bad light which is really unfair, but that is not the case in this book. In this book the author describes life in a realistic way. It describes the beauty of religion. It is quite a pleasure reading this book. I am very happy that the author wrote it, and I applaud her for it.I recommend and give this book 5 out of five stars as I feel this book is very much needed at this time. One wants to read a book that brings pleasure to them and helps them relax. This book will definitely put one at ease. It teaches kindness, and good values in my opinion. In closing, I would like to say one will definitely like reading about Brooklyn in this book. One will get a very special feeling when they read this book. I can honestly say, I got a very special feeling when I read it. It is a very warm book and will make you feel right at home. One will get this special feeling of warmth when they start to read the middle of the book. “It feels good to just stop and enjoy it.”This book just came out a few days ago, put it on your TBR list and grab a copy.One will not guess how Shmuel and Melody change. One will definitely not guess the ending with Daniella, David and Melody.
A r –
Book was very compelling and had strong characterization. Empowering values were transmitted subliminally by stories heroes and heroines. Plot tied together with happy ending.Even though I am 58 years old, I nevertheless enjoyed reading this book which is recommended for teens/young adults. I would recommend book for every age.Glad to have located book at local library.