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Confessions of a Closet Catholic:

by Sarah Darer Littman (Goodreads Author)

3.83 · rating details · 395 ratings · 71 reviews

Eleven-year-old Justine Silver follows her friend Mary Catherine, who's Catholic, in giving up something for Lent, so Justine gives up being Jewish. But when her beloved Bubbe suffers a stroke, Justine worries that her religious exploration is responsible.

Paperback, 193 pages

Published May 4th 2006 by Puffin Books (first published February 3rd 2005)

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Oct 11, 2010

Erica - Bonner Springs Library rated it

Shelves: 2009, clean-read, juvenile, middle-grades, middle-school, ya

Sarah Darer Littman is going to be talking to my teen writing group in November so I felt I should read one of her books. I loved this book!

Justine is eleven-almost-twelve-years-old and she's decided to give up being Jewish for Lent. Her best friend Mac is Catholic and Justine thinks that she'd be much happier as a Catholic.

Justine is a very likable character and I found myself really drawn in to her world. As a teenager who started to question my own religion at about 14 or 15, I could complet...more

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Jun 10, 2010

Sarita Rucker rated it

"Confessions of a Closet Catholic" by Sarah Darer Littman is a wonderful book. It can be found in the juvenile section of my local library and it's written for teens, but adults can also enjoy it. This adult certainly is. :)

It deals with everyday issues that teens can relate to: crushes, sibling rivalry, feelings of injustice, body image, and chocolate. Also, 11 year old Justine is trying to figure out religion.

Justine's family is Jewish, but she isn't overfond of t...more"Confessions of a Closet Catholic" by Sarah Darer Littman is a wonderful book. It can be found in the juvenile section of my local library and it's written for teens, but adults can also enjoy it. This adult certainly is. :)

It deals with everyday issues that teens can relate to: crushes, sibling rivalry, feelings of injustice, body image, and chocolate. Also, 11 year old Justine is trying to figure out religion.

Justine's family is Jewish, but she isn't overfond of the religion for various reasons, so she decides to become Catholic -- just like her best friend! But, she hasn't told her family. She's pretty sure that they won't take the news very well.

So Justine becomes a closet Catholic. Literally. She has confession with Father Ted (her teddy bear) in her closet, and holds communion in her closet. She's hidden away in her closet a cross that her Catholic friend lost at her house, a "cheat sheet" on how to say Hail Mary, and a rosary she bought.

Then her grandmother has a stroke. Justine can't help but feel that this is her fault, and that it is God's way of punishing her for questioning the faith she was raised in. She feels responsible for the stroke but she doesn't confide in anyone, because she still doesn't want her family to know that she's Catholic. The guilt builds as she watches her grandmother's recovery, and she continues to question what she believes.

In spite of the serious nature of the book it manages to remain funny. For example, the explanation in the first chapter of how she ruled out various other religions before deciding to become Catholic; she decided she couldn't become Buddhist because when she tried to meditate she could only think about how much her butt hurt from sitting on the floor, and found herself figuring out how many zits she would get per chocolate bar.

Littman has created a very believable character that you can't help but love as she struggles to find her own identity. There are some real gems in the book (actually the whole book is a gem, so these are just extra special gems) such as the following passage that I would like to end this with:

"Sometimes, I wonder if Jesus, Allah, and God are all the same person. I imagine that J-A-G person sitting up there in heaven, shaking His head with tears in His eyes because He can't understand why His children are fighting and killing one another in His various names, not realizing that they're all praying to the same guy."(less)

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Feb 22, 2008

sarafem rated it

Shelves: 2008, juvenile-fiction, five-stars

This is an absolutely endearing story about a modern preteen Jewish girl trying to find herself and figure out what she believes in this world. This has taken its place with Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli as one of my favorite children's stories. I would recommend this to anyone; most especially to adults, open enough to read a chilren's novel, who experienced that period of questioning their faith and who they are and manage to reflect on the confusion in an endearing sort of way.

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Jan 26, 2011

Michigosling rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As a children’s librarian and mother of three, I probably read more children's books than the typical reader my age. The former English teacher in me makes me more critical about the quality of writing than many librarians, and I find that often children’s books are better written than adults’ books, and often they have something important to say.

A few months ago, a member of my children's literature email listserv asked for good children's book suggestions for a synagogue's book fa...moreAs a children’s librarian and mother of three, I probably read more children's books than the typical reader my age. The former English teacher in me makes me more critical about the quality of writing than many librarians, and I find that often children’s books are better written than adults’ books, and often they have something important to say.

A few months ago, a member of my children's literature email listserv asked for good children's book suggestions for a synagogue's book fair. Another member recommended Confessions of a Closet Catholic, sparking a spirited debate. At first, I sided with those who thought it sounded inappropriate. Reading it changed my opinion, and I am confident that despite its title, every rabbi in Wisconsin would approve of the story. Furthermore, Sarah Littman tells it with humor and pathos, through the eyes of a believable and likeable young girl.

When Justine Silver, middle child, moves from New York to Connecticut and leaves her paternal grandmother and best friend Shira Weinstein behind, she feels disconnected and misunderstood. Bubbe, Shira, and Shira's mother are the only people Jussy knows who ever take her seriously. Her own mother seems only to care about keeping her carpets and overpriced duvets spotless. Both Bubbe and the Weinsteins keep kosher. Jussy once tried talking to her family about her interest in keeping kosher, but it was a disaster. They were eating in her maternal grandparents’ Jewish country club at the time. Her Grandpa Leo called her idea "mishigas," after nearly choking on his shrimp cocktail. In this family, people are Jewish, but not “too Jewish."

Unlike her own unappreciative family, Justine's new friend Mary Catherine McAllister's large, rambunctious family makes Jussy feel loved. So after investigating other religions (all of which have their good points, but none of which is quite right for her) she decides, with some reservations, to give up being Jewish and take up Mac's Catholicism. Of course, she must do this in secret.

Justine improvises a nun's habit, complete with her mother's dinner napkin on her head, and sets up a makeshift confessional booth in her closet, confessing her sins to Father Ted and chomping "communion" matzah. She has to do Father Ted's lines for him. That is because Ted (purchased at FAO Schwartz when she was five years old) has one of those mouths which are only stitched on. Justine's has a growing list of sins to feel bad about. Stealing her kid brother’s cereal box secret agent decoder ring is the least of them, by far.

But confessing to her teddy bear does not bring Jussy spiritual fulfillment. As the story progresses, she feels increasingly confused and guilty. She knows that her rituals in the closet are just the kind of thing that would kill her beloved Bubbe, a Holocaust survivor, if she found out. Only after events that cause Jussy (and perhaps the reader) to go through several boxes of tissue does she come to understand herself and her parents, and to feel they understand her, too.

Confessions of a Closet Catholic has some flaws. After a while one tires of Justine's accidents with food and consoling chats with friends where she "laughs and cries at the same time." There are also some puzzling inconsistencies about time; traditional synagogues do not read Parshat Korach during the school year. Yet it is remarkably well written, especially for a first book. My own panel of "experts" all agree. My eldest does think it gets preachy and "cheesy" in parts, but also that it has some wisdom about the nature of God. There are just enough contemporary details, and the story won't feel "dated" too soon. It effectively captures the pains of early adolescence. More importantly, it can teach us all something about parenting and being a Jew in twenty-first century America. I'm not sure how much a non-Jew would enjoy it. Nevertheless, I definitely recommend that any and all Jewish parents, if they think they understand their children or wish they did, should read Confessions of a Closet Catholic.(less)

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Oct 25, 2010

Julia rated it

Justine Silver was just one young, ordinary, Jewish girl. She felt lost in her own world; her parents supposedly don't even love her. The only person she could talk to was her Bubby, her beloved grandmother. But one day, she finally found someone else, Mary McAllister, her new best friend. Mary lives in a very Catholic home, surrounded by a great and supportive family, who loves her. They all recently gave up one specific thing for lent. Justine seems to think that Judaism is not right for...more

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Jan 19, 2012

Nathalie S rated it

The title of this book immediately hooked me! As a former Catholic, I enjoy immensely reading HUMOROUS books about Catholicism and other religions--which seem to fall into only 2 other categories: Jews and Muslims. So far, I haven't found any such books about protestants for example. Please disabuse me of the notion if you know of any such HUMOROUS book. I'd love to read it. In this book, Jewish teen Justine Silver wants to become a Catholic. Her Catholic friend's family seems just so much more ...more

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Jul 01, 2007

Cynthia rated it

This was an adorable story about a Jewish girl who decides she is going to become "Catholic" for lent. Being the the realms of "interfaithness" (I know, not a word), I found it enjoyable.

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Oct 03, 2011

Norelyn Calleja rated it

I think Confesssions of a Closet Cathloic was an intresting book to read. Justine Silver a Jew who wanted to be a catholic. Her grandma,Bubbe, tells her granddaughter that it is okay if she wanted to be a catholic. Bubbe is getting old and she dies. Justine was really sad. Justine struggles to be either still Jew or change into a catholic. I think other readers who would read this book will find it interesting because it shows how Justine has ups & downs in her life espically when Bubbe(gradma)d...more

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Nov 18, 2010

Elizabeth rated it

Shelves: recent-reads

this is a coming of age story of justine silver. she is jewish, but gives that up for lent when she decides to be catholic - modeling herself after her best friend mac.

justine's life is that of a typical eleven year old - she hates her hair, her skin and her body. she thinks her mother loves her sister more and her father loves her brother. the curse of the middle child. the only person that understands her is her bubbe - who has recently had a stroke and is recovering in the sil...more

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Mar 24, 2010

Linda rated it

This was a good book. Justine doesn't know much about Judiasm, or what it means to be Jewish, that's probably why she was so insecure about her religous life. it's funny, because she trys to find a religion that suits her, but she doesn't NEED to have one. She can chose to be agnostic. Searching for a religion that suits your needs is stupid. When you are a apart of the Jewish religion, that's commitment. If she got sick of the religion because of it's traditions, then she's a fool, and not a tr...more

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Apr 26, 2010

A Book Addict (pirogoeth) rated it

Shelves: fiction, young, 2010, 2010-nbc

I feel like I understand some of what she's going through. One part is the friend. He didn't grow up in a very religious home and when he started learning about Judaism, he said it just made sense to him. That's how I feel about Catholocism. It's just right for me.

When I was in college it took me a couple of years to start going to Mass on my own. Until then it was always something that I had to get up early in the morning and dress nicely for. In Junior High and High School I st...more

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Nov 18, 2009

Heidi rated it

Recommended to Heidi by: Meredith Veatch

Shelves: 2009-book-challenge, fiction, children-0-12, religious, character

As Meredith recommended, this was a great book to use in the Book Challenge as "read a book about a different religion than yours." This one had two--do I get double the points? :-)

There were plenty of flaws to this book that were a little annoying. They did not detract from the overall book, and I'm sure the audience it's geared toward would never even notice the discrepancies and other things I didn't like so much. For one, the girl is supposed to be 11, but so much of wh...more

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May 03, 2008

Jennifer Wardrip rated it

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

This book is for anyone who has ever questioned their faith, lost a loved one, or yearned to understand life just a bit more. Sarah Darer Littman has captured Justine Silver, a confused Jewish girl, within the pages of CONFESSIONS OF A CLOSET CATHOLIC.

Justine is surrounded by her faith, but no one seems to celebrate it the same way. Her parents have one idea, her grandparents another. And then the...more

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Sep 09, 2009

Erica rated it

Shelves: 2009, summer2009, juvenile, ya, clean-read, middle-grades, middle-school

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Apr 29, 2009

Bria rated it

Shelves: young-adult-realistic

Great book for tweens about a Jewish girl struggling with her religion. The scenes where she is trying to be Catholic (in her closet, going to church with her friend, going to confession) were quite funny. The only downfall I see with this book is that I was confused about who the target audience is. It really felt like a book for 5th or 6th grade girls trying to disguise itself as a book for teens. I think some teens might be drawn to the book only to be disappointed that Justine is only 12-yea...more

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Dec 09, 2010

Michelle Walker rated it

This is another book about Jewish culture and how a girl must face her faith and decide where she stands. I felt it was a very real, honest look into the heart of a teen who has doubts and fears about her religion and who she is. I loved the friendship in this book as well--the Jewish girl's best friend is Catholic. A good read.

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Aug 28, 2008

Judine rated it

Shelves: young-adult

Justine Silver is one of the most entertaining narrator/heroines I've read. As a Jewish girl who "practices" being Catholic in her closet (the title has multiple levels to it), she clearly illustrates the conflicts and questions many young people have about faith and religion. Justine is engaging throughout her religious experiments, and a lot of that is due to the fact that she never takes herself too seriously. While some of Justine's ideas/thoughts/actions might be a little too high...more

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Jul 03, 2011

Viviennegloria rated it

I found it beautiful but sad Justine is secretly catholic she takes communion in her closet and gives up being Jewish like the rest of her family for lent. her mom finds all this out and is very mad then
one day Justine
is told her grandma died read to find out what happpens

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Aug 08, 2010

Alyssa rated it

I remember reading this when I was a kid. It's funny - it drew me because I was born of BOTH religions. This is a story about a girl finding out who she is with the help of religion, and coming to senses considering beliefs, hopes and reality. Very enjoyable, and one I've remembered since reading it.

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Jan 09, 2012

Miri rated it

It was cheesy--really cheesy--but I really like the subject matter. I love the idea of a book for kids and young teens that addresses religion, especially questioning, wanting to learn more about other faiths, and differing from your family. I think it was handled really well.

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Feb 14, 2011

Amy rated it

Endearing, warm, funny, real, touching, tearful... A lovely book about an 11-year-old girl who gives up Judiasm for Lent as she struggles to figure out who she is and what she believes. Wish this book had been around when I was a child, but glad it's around now. :-)

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May 08, 2010

Julia rated it

Howdy i read this book in fifth or sixth grade, but I decided to add it to my books because I saw that Zerina was reading it. It was fairly good. I think that the main idea of the book was to be yourself and it doesn't matter what religion you are.

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Apr 01, 2010

Whitney rated it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, 2000-2010

This is a really solid book about becoming familiar with oneself and understanding how one fits within genealogy and culture. I found myself crying through several parts because the story had pulled me in and it became emotional.

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Jan 05, 2010

Jessica rated it

Confessions of a Closet Catholic is about a girl that gives up chicken for lent. She came up with that because her new friend Mac gave up chocolate for lent. Her parents didn't agree with her they said that she ahd asked them first (but they would of probably said NO still!!) I liked this book because it talks about different religions and a little summary about their diffrences. irecomend this to any person that is interrested in different type of religions.

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May 15, 2010

Marcy rated it

Be proud of where you come from. If you aren't happy with who you are, then the grass will always look greener somewhere else. But when you get there you won't be any happier, because you've taken your insecurities with you. (pg 44-45)

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Jun 14, 2010

Tessa rated it

This was one of my favorite realistic fiction books to read. I could sometimes relate to it and liked the main character a lot! It doesn't need animals to talk to be good!

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Jun 14, 2009

'Chele rated it

A young girl wants to explore other religions other than Jewish. Great read to insight on what ya's go through as they explore & question what's going on.
More for junior high.

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Jun 26, 2011

Sara Cat rated it

Great concept, but every character was a one-dimensional stereotype, and many times the characters would speak in exposition to clear something up. Not recommended.

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Jan 09, 2011

Bobbi Taniguchi rated it

Shelves: excellent-writing-craft, i-would-be-satisfied-to-have-writte

This book is about things that matter. It's enjoyable, and I liked the people in it. I also had a nice cathartic cry near the end. It made me want to be a better person.

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Sep 12, 2011

Betty Taylor rated it

This was a cute book recommended to me by one of my students. Justine is a bit confused about her religion and is trying to "find herself". She is a charming young girl with a totally relatable family and friends.

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About Sarah Darer Littman

Sarah Darer Littman is the award-winning author of CONFESSIONS OF A CLOSET CATHOLIC, PURGE, LIFE, AFTER and the upcoming WANT TO GO PRIVATE? In addition to writing for teens, she is a columnist for Hearst Newspapers (CT) and for the website CTNewsJunkie.com. She lives in Connecticut with her family and three exceptionally cute dogs, in a house that never seems to have enough bookshelves.

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Quotes from Confessions of a Close...

“Maybe that's what praying is all about. Maybe it's not just asking God to forgive us for bad things or asking Him for good things. Maybe it's just the act of praying and feeling that there's someone up there listening that makes us feel better and less helpless.” — 6 people liked it

“No matter which road you decide to take on your life's journey, just make sure God is an intimate part of it.” — 6 people liked it

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