A summer in paradise. That's all Marne wants. That's all she can think of when she asks her parents permission to spend the summer in Hawaii with A...
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Mar 19, 2011
Emily
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Fifteen-year-old Marne has her summer all figured out. She’ll stay with her aunt Carol who lives in Hawaii with her husband and seven children. Sure, Marne will help out, but she’ll also be able to run on the beach and spend the summer in paradise. Marne’s mom isn’t so sure; Carol now goes by Chaya, her husband is a Rabbi, they have 7 children, and they are observant, conservative Jews. Marne persists, though, and is allowed to go. At first, Marne is overwhelmed at the chaos of her aunt’s h
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Aug 03, 2011
Melanie
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What more could a 15-year-old girl ask for? Marne gets to spend her summer in Hawaii while her parents are away! Awesome, right? Maybe not...Marne's aunt and uncle are Hasidic Jews who have "crazy rituals and will try to convert you" according to her mother. Marne is on guard when she arrives in Hawaii but quickly falls into the routine of a family with 7 kids. She helps out with the little ones and quickly becomes a favorite at the Jewish day camp. Sabbath proves to be a challenge as
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Oct 25, 2009
Rachel
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Nov 26, 2008
Annica
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I really liked this book. I thought her family was really wierd but I understand that religion is religion. I am proud of her for how she acted with her friends. She made the right choice and so did Jeff, in the end. This book made me wish that I liked running.
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May 12, 2008
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Julie M. Prince for TeensReadToo.com
It seems like such a good idea. Marne knows that her mom's sister, Carole, lives in Hawaii, so she has only to convince her parents that she should go for a long overdue visit to her relatives. She'll run along the beach, maybe even surf and swim in the ocean. Best of all, her friend will also be visiting Hawaii, so there will be no end of fun. When her parents agree to Marne's plan, she knows she's in for the perfect summer in the para More...
It seems like such a good idea. Marne knows that her mom's sister, Carole, lives in Hawaii, so she has only to convince her parents that she should go for a long overdue visit to her relatives. She'll run along the beach, maybe even surf and swim in the ocean. Best of all, her friend will also be visiting Hawaii, so there will be no end of fun. When her parents agree to Marne's plan, she knows she's in for the perfect summer in the para More...
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Apr 10, 2008
Jess
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While I was intrigued by the premise, I was ultimately disappointed in the execution. During the first few chapters, there are hints at a tragic back-story for the family, which comes out later, and this could have been a fascinating component to the story. Instead, it got lost in the clutter of issues. There's the tragedy, there's the very Jewish aunt with the enormous family, there's the cousin who's afraid of the world, the cousin who won't look girls in the face, the very secular friend a
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Dec 19, 2007
Deb
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Marne is a non religious Jew who goes to Hawaii for the summer and stays with her aunt's Lubavitcher family. She had wanted a summer in paradise but ends up helping out with her aunt's day camp, doing decidely unparadise kinds of stuff and learning all about how the ultra religious live, with rules and blessings for everything. She meets a boy which complicates things a bit. While I found this a good book and like the things Marne learns, there were a couple of issues I have with it. First of al
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Sep 08, 2011
Abbi
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This book taught me so much about the daily lives of Orthodox Jews. When Marne (a secular Jew) goes to visit with her Aunt and Uncle's family in Hawaii she reluctantly becomes a part of their daily rituals and lifestyle. This is a great book for middle school children and anyone who would like to know more about Judaism and the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle.
Dec 09, 2010
Michelle
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Very interesting insight into Chasidic Jewish belief, practice, and culture. It is the story of a less orthodox girl moving in with relatives who are very orthodox. She and they come to understand one another and how religion functions in their lives. A good multi-cultural read. not the best writing i've ever encountered.
Jan 10, 2009
Tessa
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I was with this tale of a 15 year old girl living with her Orthodox Jewish relatives for the summer right up until the last couple of chapters, when I felt that the author reached a little too far in the interests of making things more dramatic. Otherwise I would have been neutral.
May 30, 2011
Lindsey
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This is a young adult novel, but it was still very good. The main character, Marne, learns a lot about the Jewish faith when she goes to stay with her aunt in Hawaii for the summer.
Apr 14, 2008
Cathy
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There is not much literature for Jewish teens where Judaism plays much of a role. Usually characters are Jewish, but very assimilated, as is indeed the main character of the book. But when she goes to visit her Aunt Carole, Chaya now, she finds herself immersed in a Hasidic lifestyle, sort of like going on an exchange program in a foreign country. The back story of her sister having been kidnapped was a bit weird, I would have thought everyone would have worried more about her when she went
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Jul 14, 2011
Swathi
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It was overall good but some parts can get boring. there's a LOT about judaism, because that's what the main character's relatives practice.
Mar 05, 2009
Laura
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i love this book i am not jew but it makes me feel like i am i wish she would write a 2 !!
Feb 26, 2009
Abigail
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made it maybe halfway. unpleasant to read. can't imagine who could tolerate reading this through.
May 31, 2010
Marilyn
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A really nice read about a girl who spends her summer vacation with family in hawaii
Sep 01, 2009
Richuaby
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good read about a Jewish girl learning more about her culture on vacation
Jan 02, 2008
Janelle
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I know I'm probably being unfair, but I just couldn't get into the book. I think I read to chapter seven and just couldn't go any farther. It didn't interest me at all, and not once did it make me want to continue reading. Maybe I'll give it another shot some other time, but as of right now it's going straight back to the library.
Jul 23, 2008
Mahina
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Pros - Great book for Jewish teens. Main character must deal with feelings associated with the abduction (never found) of her younger sister.
Cons - Mild racism and although the book is set in Hawaii there are no realistic Hawaiian or local people depicted.
Cons - Mild racism and although the book is set in Hawaii there are no realistic Hawaiian or local people depicted.
Nov 13, 2008
Alina
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 12, 2007
Tiff
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A few quick notes:
* great character development in this story
* learned quite a bit about Judaism
* really enjoyed this book
* great character development in this story
* learned quite a bit about Judaism
* really enjoyed this book
Nov 01, 2010
Chris
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The only impression that I will be left with from this book was the way too graphic and creepy burial prep scene.
Aug 23, 2010
Beck
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its not as bad as i thought it would be. i was reluctant to start it but once i did it was pretty good.
Jan 26, 2012
Dec 15, 2011
