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Ripped Away
Ignored yet again by his crush, Abe Pearlman wanders into Fortunes and Futures for a little diversion. The fortune teller reveals that Abe may be able to save someone’s life. But before he can ask any questions, he’s swept to the slums of Victorian London, where he finds that his crush, Mitzy Singer, has also been banished. Abe and Mitzy soon discover that they’ve been plunked down in the middle of the Jack the Ripper spree. To get back home, they’ll have to work together to figure out how the fortune teller’s prophecy is connected to one of history’s most notorious criminal cases. They’ll also have to survive the outpouring of hate toward Jewish refugees that the Ripper murders triggered. Ripped Away is based on real historical events, including the Ripper crimes, the inquests, and the accusations against immigrants.
132 pages, Paperback
Published February 8, 2022
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154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 29, 2021
Ripped Away is a rare, eye-opening novel that seamlessly blends fantasy, contemporary and historical fiction to illuminate the challenges teens face today with the horrors of the little-known blood libel brought upon London’s East End Jews during the time of Jack the Ripper. It’s a bold story few of us would ever know without Vernik’s meticulous research, masterful storytelling, and her fierce determination to share truth and make sure that antisemitism is not omitted or erased from that history.
September 3, 2021
Finished reading this wonderful story last night and decided to write my first review on GR about it.
Ripped Away is an intricate, wonderful tale about two reluctant time-traveling youths who find themselves plopped into the slums of Victorian London’s East End. But it’s not enough that edgy blue-haired Mitzy and geeky lovestruck Abe get sucked out of Fort Pippin against their wishes. They land in Whitechapel in 1888, in the middle of the Jack the Ripper killing spree, knowing nothing about this new/old world.
But they learn quickly and begin solving problems that they hope will get them back to their “There” lives. Front and center is that Jewish immigrants like them—most fleeing the Russian pogroms—face struggles beyond poverty and “otherness,” as Abe discovers when police, searching for the killer, ransack the dingy flat he shares with his “Here” mother.
Soon, the streets of East London get even meaner for Jews. A friendly but clueless neighbor shows Maya and Asher—their new names here—just how comfortable the natives are with their anti-Semitism. She’s offering them some whelks—more on those later…
“We’re not allowed to eat them,” Maya says.
Mrs. Graham’s forehead creases, then the lightbulb goes on. “Oh yes. You mean, on account of you being sheenies, is that it?”
For some reason, I want to laugh. Mrs. Graham has no idea she’s insulting us. She thinks she’s being understanding, maybe even respectful.
Maya and Asher wend their way through surprising plot twists, each of which brings them closer to each other and to understanding themselves as individuals, their strengths, secrets and dreams. But as the days rush by, they feel further away from the ultimate goal: getting back home.
Ripped Away was a fast, rich read and a transporting one. Sensory details, especially scents, brought the story to life. It makes sense, now that I think of it. Vernick is writing about time and memory and identity. We’ve all felt the gut punch of a scent-triggered memory—its power. Maybe that was the intent behind the sensory-rich storytelling. When Asher and Maya smell hot butter and molasses as they watch a woman pulling toffee in a candy shop, emotions and memories from Ft. Pippin rush back. But the smells they know are new to them, like the vinegar and salt scent of pickled whelks—sea snails—feel disturbingly familiar.
It’s a disorienting sensation, especially given how real this new world feels. Vernick sprinkles more than scents through her story. The touch of wooden buttons, the clacking of carts on cobblestones, the dim sunlight filtering through a coal-stained sky—took me to a different place and time.
Exactly the kind of experience I was looking for right now. Plus, I love learning about the “real world” through fiction. Vernick subtly weaves lessons about history, language, food, and vocations in this story. I’m happy to report that I learned some new Yiddish words along the way, and if someone uses costermonger or Swan Upping in a sentence, I’ll be hip.
Ripped Away took me away to a new-old world and endeared me to characters like Abe and Mitzy, who found home—and each other—by leaving everything they knew behind. I highly recommend this smart, engaging, informative and heartwarming tale.
Ripped Away is an intricate, wonderful tale about two reluctant time-traveling youths who find themselves plopped into the slums of Victorian London’s East End. But it’s not enough that edgy blue-haired Mitzy and geeky lovestruck Abe get sucked out of Fort Pippin against their wishes. They land in Whitechapel in 1888, in the middle of the Jack the Ripper killing spree, knowing nothing about this new/old world.
But they learn quickly and begin solving problems that they hope will get them back to their “There” lives. Front and center is that Jewish immigrants like them—most fleeing the Russian pogroms—face struggles beyond poverty and “otherness,” as Abe discovers when police, searching for the killer, ransack the dingy flat he shares with his “Here” mother.
Soon, the streets of East London get even meaner for Jews. A friendly but clueless neighbor shows Maya and Asher—their new names here—just how comfortable the natives are with their anti-Semitism. She’s offering them some whelks—more on those later…
“We’re not allowed to eat them,” Maya says.
Mrs. Graham’s forehead creases, then the lightbulb goes on. “Oh yes. You mean, on account of you being sheenies, is that it?”
For some reason, I want to laugh. Mrs. Graham has no idea she’s insulting us. She thinks she’s being understanding, maybe even respectful.
Maya and Asher wend their way through surprising plot twists, each of which brings them closer to each other and to understanding themselves as individuals, their strengths, secrets and dreams. But as the days rush by, they feel further away from the ultimate goal: getting back home.
Ripped Away was a fast, rich read and a transporting one. Sensory details, especially scents, brought the story to life. It makes sense, now that I think of it. Vernick is writing about time and memory and identity. We’ve all felt the gut punch of a scent-triggered memory—its power. Maybe that was the intent behind the sensory-rich storytelling. When Asher and Maya smell hot butter and molasses as they watch a woman pulling toffee in a candy shop, emotions and memories from Ft. Pippin rush back. But the smells they know are new to them, like the vinegar and salt scent of pickled whelks—sea snails—feel disturbingly familiar.
It’s a disorienting sensation, especially given how real this new world feels. Vernick sprinkles more than scents through her story. The touch of wooden buttons, the clacking of carts on cobblestones, the dim sunlight filtering through a coal-stained sky—took me to a different place and time.
Exactly the kind of experience I was looking for right now. Plus, I love learning about the “real world” through fiction. Vernick subtly weaves lessons about history, language, food, and vocations in this story. I’m happy to report that I learned some new Yiddish words along the way, and if someone uses costermonger or Swan Upping in a sentence, I’ll be hip.
Ripped Away took me away to a new-old world and endeared me to characters like Abe and Mitzy, who found home—and each other—by leaving everything they knew behind. I highly recommend this smart, engaging, informative and heartwarming tale.
January 9, 2022
*2.5 stars - Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced reader copy for review.
What I Liked:
- I learned something about the Jack the Ripper sprees that I didn't know prior to reading this book.
- It was short.
What I Didn't Like:
The time travel. I didn't understand a lot of it. Why were Abe and Mitzy chosen? What was the significance of it being them? What did their journey teach them for current day, other than maybe a little more knowledge on the Jack the Ripper sprees. I have a lot of questions about it. I think this part just lacked some depth.
I read a lot of middle grade books, so I feel like that makes me a little hard to please since I've read so many great ones. I do see value in this book, mostly in the fact that it offers up a view of history that many people don't know about.
The writing was fast-paced, which I enjoyed, but at the same time it cause some happenings to be abrupt and some things to not be explained as well (plot holes). I wouldn't call this an atmospheric read, but I will say that I was able to visualize the setting pretty well.
Overall, I thought the book was okay. For the most part, I enjoyed reading it. I just think there were some things missing. I do plan to hand off my ARC to a child in my middle grade book club, though, and I hope they enjoy it!
What I Liked:
- I learned something about the Jack the Ripper sprees that I didn't know prior to reading this book.
- It was short.
What I Didn't Like:
The time travel. I didn't understand a lot of it. Why were Abe and Mitzy chosen? What was the significance of it being them? What did their journey teach them for current day, other than maybe a little more knowledge on the Jack the Ripper sprees. I have a lot of questions about it. I think this part just lacked some depth.
I read a lot of middle grade books, so I feel like that makes me a little hard to please since I've read so many great ones. I do see value in this book, mostly in the fact that it offers up a view of history that many people don't know about.
The writing was fast-paced, which I enjoyed, but at the same time it cause some happenings to be abrupt and some things to not be explained as well (plot holes). I wouldn't call this an atmospheric read, but I will say that I was able to visualize the setting pretty well.
Overall, I thought the book was okay. For the most part, I enjoyed reading it. I just think there were some things missing. I do plan to hand off my ARC to a child in my middle grade book club, though, and I hope they enjoy it!
January 31, 2022
While this book is short and discusses an aspect of history I am unfamiliar with (2 things I love in books) it lacks depth. At the end of each chapter I was left wanting more. I wanted more from the characters, more from the plot, more from the atmosphere. There was a great opportunity with this book to really go there and let the reader feel how scared the citizens (especially the Jewish citizens) of London were during the Jack the Ripper spree in the late 1800s. But instead I was just bored. I felt no connection to the characters and the time travel didn't make a lot of sense. I didn't understand why Mitzy was there with him. Overall just wasn't quite enough for me.
**Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review
**Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review
April 26, 2022
I enjoyed the new perspective on the Jack the Ripper killings and the story that gets omitted in most retellings- that people were pinning the killings on shochets, kosher meat cutters, and that riots and violence broke out in response due to the rise in public antisemitism. It also shows how immigrants are often used as scapegoats, especially during times of turmoil. It highlights the casual antisemitism that even friends can have when their neighbor uses a slur while offering Abe & Mitzy food she forgot they cannot eat, as it isn’t kosher and they are observant. My biggest issue - I don’t really think it needed to be a time travel story. I kind of wish it had just been set in 1888 but that did give it an added layer of mystery.
December 21, 2022
Книга невероятно короткая и может поэтому события в начале развивались настолько быстро, что я вообще не поняла, как герои оказались в прошлом. Но когда темп повествования замедлился, стало ещё хуже. Из-за неинтересности обоих героев читать текст становилось труднее и труднее, а после и вовсе скучно. Персонажи плоские, как и взаимодействие между ними. Некая детективная линия, если можно её так назвать, унылая и это как раз тот случай, когда маленькое количество страниц становится невыносимым. Но при этом понимаю, что книга может понравиться и она не так плоха, просто совершенно не моя.
October 27, 2021
Shirley Vernick's Ripped Away is a fully immersive, meticulously-researched tale that blends the best parts of sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction into a fast-paced adventure that is marked by cultural truths at every satisfying turn. When Abe and Mitzy enter the shop of a mysterious fortune teller and find themselves wholly transported into another time--London's East End in 1888--they land squarely in the crosshairs of history's most infamous murderer, Jack the Ripper. As the casualties pile up, Abe and Mitzy desperately attempt to discover their heroic purposes in their new surroundings, as it begins to become abundantly clear that the Ripper's crimes are being scapegoated upon the local Jewish refugee population. Told in Vernick's engrossing style with extremely sympathetic characters, Ripped Away is a must read for upper middle school and YA readers interested in time travel, adventure, and the study of underrepresented and/or oppressed cultures throughout history.
November 4, 2021
Ripped Away was a great look at the Victorian era and the racism the was prevalent with the Ripper murders. I started reading it tonight and I finished the last page one hour later. Abe and Mitzy were interesting characters along side their Victorian counterparts. It was the perfect amount of plot, characters, history, and intrigue with Abe as our first person POV. This was so good!
I was given an arc by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an arc by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2022
I'm not a big reader of middle grade books anymore, but I liked this one for two reasons. First, two kids travel back in time to 1888 London. I like that they realize they are in a different place and don't automatically fit in. The language, dress and living conditions are very different, which I think would be normal if you were transported back in time and were aware that you were transported back in time.
Second, the author cleverly took some detail of the actual crimes and reports of crime of Jack the Ripper and went with the story. The man who discovered a body plays a part in her book, as well as some of the reports of Jack the Ripper as being "Jewish looking."
I liked the interplay between Abe and Mitzi, and there was a strong sense of place and time in London.
Second, the author cleverly took some detail of the actual crimes and reports of crime of Jack the Ripper and went with the story. The man who discovered a body plays a part in her book, as well as some of the reports of Jack the Ripper as being "Jewish looking."
I liked the interplay between Abe and Mitzi, and there was a strong sense of place and time in London.
October 29, 2021
History comes to life as an unexpected pair swoops into the grungy life of Whitechapel, London in the 1880's and has to deal with all the difficulties of that time period.
Abe isn't exactly popular or noticeable or much of anything, but he gets good grades, is a good kid, and has a secret crush on a girl, who refuses to acknowledge anyone. When he visits a fortune teller for fun, he blacks out and finds himself awaking as the assistant to a jeweler in the late 1880's in London. The boy's memories mix with his own, allowing him to seamlessly slide into the life...while he freaks out and tries to figure out how to get home. When he discovers Mitzy living in just as bad conditions as him and as confused as he is, a friendship might form....but then, things aren't easy for their class in that society, prejudices fly, and, to add to the problems, Jack the Ripper is on the loose.
First off, this novel was not nearly as dark as I expected, and instead, took a more historical twist, revealing life styles, prejudices against the Jews, and simply exposing the living conditions and everyday problems people of the lower, working class (especially the Jews) had at that time in London. All of this was done very well and melded perfectly into an exciting tale. So, while my expectations had to take a hard curve, I wasn't disappointed, either.
Already the beginning of this book had me smiling. Abe speaks directly to the reader and draws in with a personal touch, which does make him and the story connect immediately. He's a good kid with insecurities, but doesn't look down on himself, either....which is refreshing. When he meets the fortune teller and gets whisked away, the transition is quick, but it works thanks to the author's clever twist of having Abe meld with an existing boy during the time period. The sudden murder, trying to adapt to the changes, and everything else, and it's definitely a fast-paced read, which rolls right along from beginning to end. And that in a smooth way, too.
This is supposedly for a young adult audience, but the writing and Abe come across more like a middle grade novel, and I would definitely recommend it for this younger age group rather than the older one. I do believe middle graders will enjoy this one quite a bit and it does a very good job at bringing the historical period to life in a way that's easy to understand and sympathize with. The prejudice aspect is also very well done and while it doesn't dive into why the Jews are looked down upon, the problems these people face is clear.
I did enjoy Abe and Mitzy quite a bit. They have wonderful personalities, are careful but ready to take on whatever challenge they have to, and have hearts of gold. I would have liked to know more about them before the time swap and missed the depth. But for a middle grade novel this worked well enough and was really an engaging tale from beginning to end. I do hope this is the beginning of a series, since these two have so much potential and tons of adventure waiting in time. I received a complimentary copy and easily read this one in one sitting.
Abe isn't exactly popular or noticeable or much of anything, but he gets good grades, is a good kid, and has a secret crush on a girl, who refuses to acknowledge anyone. When he visits a fortune teller for fun, he blacks out and finds himself awaking as the assistant to a jeweler in the late 1880's in London. The boy's memories mix with his own, allowing him to seamlessly slide into the life...while he freaks out and tries to figure out how to get home. When he discovers Mitzy living in just as bad conditions as him and as confused as he is, a friendship might form....but then, things aren't easy for their class in that society, prejudices fly, and, to add to the problems, Jack the Ripper is on the loose.
First off, this novel was not nearly as dark as I expected, and instead, took a more historical twist, revealing life styles, prejudices against the Jews, and simply exposing the living conditions and everyday problems people of the lower, working class (especially the Jews) had at that time in London. All of this was done very well and melded perfectly into an exciting tale. So, while my expectations had to take a hard curve, I wasn't disappointed, either.
Already the beginning of this book had me smiling. Abe speaks directly to the reader and draws in with a personal touch, which does make him and the story connect immediately. He's a good kid with insecurities, but doesn't look down on himself, either....which is refreshing. When he meets the fortune teller and gets whisked away, the transition is quick, but it works thanks to the author's clever twist of having Abe meld with an existing boy during the time period. The sudden murder, trying to adapt to the changes, and everything else, and it's definitely a fast-paced read, which rolls right along from beginning to end. And that in a smooth way, too.
This is supposedly for a young adult audience, but the writing and Abe come across more like a middle grade novel, and I would definitely recommend it for this younger age group rather than the older one. I do believe middle graders will enjoy this one quite a bit and it does a very good job at bringing the historical period to life in a way that's easy to understand and sympathize with. The prejudice aspect is also very well done and while it doesn't dive into why the Jews are looked down upon, the problems these people face is clear.
I did enjoy Abe and Mitzy quite a bit. They have wonderful personalities, are careful but ready to take on whatever challenge they have to, and have hearts of gold. I would have liked to know more about them before the time swap and missed the depth. But for a middle grade novel this worked well enough and was really an engaging tale from beginning to end. I do hope this is the beginning of a series, since these two have so much potential and tons of adventure waiting in time. I received a complimentary copy and easily read this one in one sitting.
October 26, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Abe Pearlman has a huge crush on Mitzy, but she doesn't know he exists. When he is out and about, he seems a new sign for a fortune teller and, intrigued, stops in. The fortune teller, Zinnia, tells him there is something interesting about his aura, and before he knows it, he blacks out. When he wakes up, he is in the Whitechapel neighborhood of Victorian London. He is a young man named Asher, who lives in a tenement with his mother, and works at a Jewish Working Man's Club for Mr. Diemshutz. While a bit discombobulated, he seems to have all of the information he needs lingering in the corners of his mind, including some foreign words and phrases. As he is getting his bearings, he finds that Mitzy has also been to Zinnia and has taken on the personality of Maya, an upstairs neighbor, who is blind. She lives with her mother and uncle, who is a butcher. When a young woman is murdered in one of the infamous "Jack the Ripper" killings, the Jewish community comes under scrutiny. Investigators talk to Mr. Diemshutz, and police go through the neighborhood asking to see residents' knives. Maya's uncle, Duvid Kraskov, is arrested because he won't give the police information about his knives. Feeling that he is stuck in the Victorian time period until he can save someone's life, Abe thinks Duvid might be the one he needs to save. He manages to get information from the man that clears his name, but that he doesn't want Maya and her mother to know. When Abe is still stuck in the past with Mitzy, the two work to try to figure out what else they need to do to return to their own time.
Strengths: This was a great upper MG/lower YA book that felt very much like the books I read twenty years ago-- in a good way. Abe is in high school and has a lot of skills and agency when sent to the past, and there's even a nice romance with Mitzy. The book is short and quick, and doesn't belabor the mechanism that sends the two to the past. I loved the new perspective on the Jack the Ripper story, and the inclusion of cultural elements. I'm not normally a fan of crime podcasts or gory tales, but have a vague interest in the Jack the Ripper mythos thanks to the 1979 movie Time after Time, which I watched way more times than I should have on cable tv when I was in high school! The historical notes are great as well. Definitely a top notch time travel book with a fascinating cultural perspective.
Weaknesses: The brevity of the text makes parts of the story a bit abrupt.
What I really think: I really, really liked this, and it is now available in prebind from Follett! I will definitely purchase this, since Stefan Petrucha's Ripper still circulates, and I love that it introduces some Jewish cultural history in a book that readers will pick up because of the Jack the Ripper connection.
Abe Pearlman has a huge crush on Mitzy, but she doesn't know he exists. When he is out and about, he seems a new sign for a fortune teller and, intrigued, stops in. The fortune teller, Zinnia, tells him there is something interesting about his aura, and before he knows it, he blacks out. When he wakes up, he is in the Whitechapel neighborhood of Victorian London. He is a young man named Asher, who lives in a tenement with his mother, and works at a Jewish Working Man's Club for Mr. Diemshutz. While a bit discombobulated, he seems to have all of the information he needs lingering in the corners of his mind, including some foreign words and phrases. As he is getting his bearings, he finds that Mitzy has also been to Zinnia and has taken on the personality of Maya, an upstairs neighbor, who is blind. She lives with her mother and uncle, who is a butcher. When a young woman is murdered in one of the infamous "Jack the Ripper" killings, the Jewish community comes under scrutiny. Investigators talk to Mr. Diemshutz, and police go through the neighborhood asking to see residents' knives. Maya's uncle, Duvid Kraskov, is arrested because he won't give the police information about his knives. Feeling that he is stuck in the Victorian time period until he can save someone's life, Abe thinks Duvid might be the one he needs to save. He manages to get information from the man that clears his name, but that he doesn't want Maya and her mother to know. When Abe is still stuck in the past with Mitzy, the two work to try to figure out what else they need to do to return to their own time.
Strengths: This was a great upper MG/lower YA book that felt very much like the books I read twenty years ago-- in a good way. Abe is in high school and has a lot of skills and agency when sent to the past, and there's even a nice romance with Mitzy. The book is short and quick, and doesn't belabor the mechanism that sends the two to the past. I loved the new perspective on the Jack the Ripper story, and the inclusion of cultural elements. I'm not normally a fan of crime podcasts or gory tales, but have a vague interest in the Jack the Ripper mythos thanks to the 1979 movie Time after Time, which I watched way more times than I should have on cable tv when I was in high school! The historical notes are great as well. Definitely a top notch time travel book with a fascinating cultural perspective.
Weaknesses: The brevity of the text makes parts of the story a bit abrupt.
What I really think: I really, really liked this, and it is now available in prebind from Follett! I will definitely purchase this, since Stefan Petrucha's Ripper still circulates, and I love that it introduces some Jewish cultural history in a book that readers will pick up because of the Jack the Ripper connection.
April 27, 2022
I had been looking for a good portal story to read so when I received a copy of Ripped Away from the author, I was more than ready for a time travelling adventure, and boy did I get it!
To keep this a spoiler free read, I'll just touch on the basics.
Immersion: I love how Shirley Reva Vernick was able to set the scene so quickly by breaking the fourth wall and having Abe talk directly to the reader. In short order, we see the trajectory of his days and his crush on the aloof, blue haired Mitzy, who ignores his existence - as she does most people's - and I particularly loved this introduction because I'm quite visual and tend to translate words on paper into a film in my mind's eye, and this POV works really well for that both for Abe in his life in contemporary Fort Pippin and when he's thrown across time and into another body in 1888 Victorian England. It also really helped to stay in Abe's POV throughout his time in 1888, because it brought a real feeling of freshness to the time period and meant I didn't need to switch gears to re-immerse myself in the new story world.
Pace: Usain Bolt has nothing on the pacing of this book, which for the most part managed not to sacrifice story in service of plot, so while a lot was happening, it never felt like it was too much or too fast - there was still time to feel the emotional beats of the story, from Abe and Mitzy's burgeoning friendship while trapped in their Victorian counterparts Asher and Maya's lives, to his relationship with his mother as Asher in 1888, to life as a Jewish immigrant during the Ripper spree and the hate Asher and Maya and their families receive as part of the growing wave of anti-Semitism.
Knowledge: Ripped Away gave me another side to the Jack the Ripper story that I hadn't heard of before or dwelt on before. It was a great introduction to Jewish immigration to London's East End and how the Whitechapel murders provided a focal point for all the anti-Semitic resentment that had been growing in that area.
To be honest, my only gripe is that I wished the story could have spent more time in 1888, before landing back in Fort Pippin.
Overall, a fantastic read!
To keep this a spoiler free read, I'll just touch on the basics.
Immersion: I love how Shirley Reva Vernick was able to set the scene so quickly by breaking the fourth wall and having Abe talk directly to the reader. In short order, we see the trajectory of his days and his crush on the aloof, blue haired Mitzy, who ignores his existence - as she does most people's - and I particularly loved this introduction because I'm quite visual and tend to translate words on paper into a film in my mind's eye, and this POV works really well for that both for Abe in his life in contemporary Fort Pippin and when he's thrown across time and into another body in 1888 Victorian England. It also really helped to stay in Abe's POV throughout his time in 1888, because it brought a real feeling of freshness to the time period and meant I didn't need to switch gears to re-immerse myself in the new story world.
Pace: Usain Bolt has nothing on the pacing of this book, which for the most part managed not to sacrifice story in service of plot, so while a lot was happening, it never felt like it was too much or too fast - there was still time to feel the emotional beats of the story, from Abe and Mitzy's burgeoning friendship while trapped in their Victorian counterparts Asher and Maya's lives, to his relationship with his mother as Asher in 1888, to life as a Jewish immigrant during the Ripper spree and the hate Asher and Maya and their families receive as part of the growing wave of anti-Semitism.
Knowledge: Ripped Away gave me another side to the Jack the Ripper story that I hadn't heard of before or dwelt on before. It was a great introduction to Jewish immigration to London's East End and how the Whitechapel murders provided a focal point for all the anti-Semitic resentment that had been growing in that area.
To be honest, my only gripe is that I wished the story could have spent more time in 1888, before landing back in Fort Pippin.
Overall, a fantastic read!
October 10, 2021
Abe Pearlman enters a fortune-teller's shop after school on a whim, and is surprised by the fortune teller's eerie message that he may save someone's life. Abruptly, he is ripped away from the shop and everyday life as he knows it, and hurtled back in time, to an East End slum of London in 1888. To get back home, he'll have to solve the mystery of whose life he's meant to save, which is no small feat: everyday hazards in this maze of gaslit streets abound, and a killer - the infamous Jack the Ripper - is leaving a trail of bodies. Fortunately, Abe is not entirely on his own with this mission, as his school crush Mitzy Singer enters the same shop and finds herself plunked down the same place, with a different mysterious prophecy to fulfill, and an unexpected physical hardship. The world they enter in their new identities as Asher and Maya is harrowing, as the cases mount, disturbing graffiti appears, and it becomes apparent that Jewish refugees in the neighborhood are being scapegoated for the Ripper's crimes. Abe/Asher and Mitzy/Maya also have to work to keep their memories of the world they left alive, as they become increasingly immersed in the new bodies they inhabit, and the path home becomes less and less clear. I was especially moved by the growing friendship between Abe and Mitzy, even as they navigated their different identities, and the real bonds both characters began to form with with their new families. Shirley Reva Vernick has written a fast-paced and engrossing tale with relatable, likable characters, masterful touches of humor and whimsy at just the right moments, and a serious underlying message about not repeating history, which feels especially urgent today. Vernick also nimbly blends genres: historical, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy. Upper middle grade and YA readers who enjoy classic time travel tales and genre-crossing stories will especially enjoy Ripped Away!
September 4, 2021
Ripped Away by Shirley Vernick is a satisfying read. The narrator’s voice is engaging and believable, the writing captures the sounds and smells and sights of a London tenement in the 1880s, the story reveals how the search for Jack the Ripper revealed deep-seated anti-Semitism among the police and residents, and last, the book illuminates teenagers’ struggle to find voice and agency. I will focus on this last element because it winds throughout the book, creating cohesion across time and place.
When we first meet Abe, the narrator, he is unable to even look at Mitzy, let alone say hello to her. He imagines a self with the confidence to sit down next to her. But even in his imagination, he can only do this if she flushes and blushes, and one thing we learn about Mitzy is that she is not coy.
Very quickly the plot takes an unexpected turn when he and Mitzy are transported back in time and into the lives of doppelgangers (Asher and Maya) separated from Abe and Mitzy by time and experience but not by personality. As they struggle to make sense of what has happened and rise to the challenges placed in front of them, we see Abe develop self-confidence and acquire greater agency over his life and decisions. Because Abe is telling the story, we have greater insight into Abe, but through his words we also see Mitzy’s growth as she lets down the walls she has built to protect herself.
The ending is full of hope. They both hold onto vestiges of the selves we met in the first chapter, shy and defended, but now with a willingness to take a chance.
When we first meet Abe, the narrator, he is unable to even look at Mitzy, let alone say hello to her. He imagines a self with the confidence to sit down next to her. But even in his imagination, he can only do this if she flushes and blushes, and one thing we learn about Mitzy is that she is not coy.
Very quickly the plot takes an unexpected turn when he and Mitzy are transported back in time and into the lives of doppelgangers (Asher and Maya) separated from Abe and Mitzy by time and experience but not by personality. As they struggle to make sense of what has happened and rise to the challenges placed in front of them, we see Abe develop self-confidence and acquire greater agency over his life and decisions. Because Abe is telling the story, we have greater insight into Abe, but through his words we also see Mitzy’s growth as she lets down the walls she has built to protect herself.
The ending is full of hope. They both hold onto vestiges of the selves we met in the first chapter, shy and defended, but now with a willingness to take a chance.
November 18, 2024
I don't usually gravitate towards historical fiction, but this was a home run!
Young Abe lives an unremarkable life. He gets good grades but doesn't really have any friends, especially not the alluring Mitzy Singer. Walking home after another day of monotony, Abe sees a sign for a fortune teller and gives it a chance. But something goes terribly wrong, and he finds himself whisked away back in time with Mitzy. Can they figure out a way to get home, or are they stuck there forever?
I just loved this book to pieces! What I loved most was how the time travel system worked. It was mysterious even to the end, but there were enough hints throughout to get a general idea of how it functioned. I especially loved how memory played into their experience.
Abe was easy to root for. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he genuinely cares about others, an example I think we could all use right about now. Mitzy was great too. She's witty and quick on her feet, a real fighter.
This was a shorter novel, but each chapter was packed with intriguing developments that made it hard to put down. I loved the journey I went on with Mitzy and Abe as they tried to sort out their tough situation, and the writing was simple and easy to follow.
Overall, this is the perfect read for anyone who loves fantasy historical fiction. Highly recommend!
Young Abe lives an unremarkable life. He gets good grades but doesn't really have any friends, especially not the alluring Mitzy Singer. Walking home after another day of monotony, Abe sees a sign for a fortune teller and gives it a chance. But something goes terribly wrong, and he finds himself whisked away back in time with Mitzy. Can they figure out a way to get home, or are they stuck there forever?
I just loved this book to pieces! What I loved most was how the time travel system worked. It was mysterious even to the end, but there were enough hints throughout to get a general idea of how it functioned. I especially loved how memory played into their experience.
Abe was easy to root for. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he genuinely cares about others, an example I think we could all use right about now. Mitzy was great too. She's witty and quick on her feet, a real fighter.
This was a shorter novel, but each chapter was packed with intriguing developments that made it hard to put down. I loved the journey I went on with Mitzy and Abe as they tried to sort out their tough situation, and the writing was simple and easy to follow.
Overall, this is the perfect read for anyone who loves fantasy historical fiction. Highly recommend!
August 11, 2021
with an important theme, this book sadly lacked in depth. it is interesting to know that the jack the ripper cases were weaponised against jews, and this is what this story was trying to show us and it is something essential to know! however, the writing was not immersive, way too fast-paced and overall just not good. if we just regard the lesson in this book, then it is not bad! but if we look at the writing quality, or the holes in the plot - time travelling back in time, how did it happen when the two characters went to the fortune teller? how were these two characters' fates intertwined, what role did they take in the past (since they travelled back in time)? would their actions have influenced their own present timeline? time travelling is just a subject that needs its rules to be explained; otherwise it just feels messy.
every time something was about to happen, it jumped to the next scene. and this is what I mean when I say I think depth lacked - because this does not refer at all to the importance of showcasing the antisemitism! - it is the depth of the general story, in the writing, and how this could have been so immersive, mysterious and scary. but in the end, it was just close to becoming those things, but not enough.
every time something was about to happen, it jumped to the next scene. and this is what I mean when I say I think depth lacked - because this does not refer at all to the importance of showcasing the antisemitism! - it is the depth of the general story, in the writing, and how this could have been so immersive, mysterious and scary. but in the end, it was just close to becoming those things, but not enough.
January 8, 2022
Abe, a shy teen who is a bit of a loner, finds ideas for the short stories he writes by walking the track before school starts. That’s where he sees his crush, the blue-haired Mitzi, sitting on a bench, ignoring his daily nod to her.
Frustrated by his lack of courage to approach Mitzi more directly, Abe uncharacteristically visits a fortune teller and in the process of the reading, Abe is whisked away to 1888 London, where he finds he is working for a Jewish man who discovered one of Jack the Ripper’s victims, In this surprising alternate reality Abe, now Asher, can speak Yiddish, lives with his widowed mother, and discovers that Mitzi, now Maya, was also visiting the fortune teller, is his upstairs tenement neighbor, and is blind. Each teen has been given a condition under which they may return to their original lives
Can they form a friendship and work together to escape poverty and the fear that surrounds being Jewish? Will their bond still exist if they manage to return? Readers expecting a lot of details about the Jack the Ripper murder may be disappointed but should enjoy the suspense and strongly described setting. EARC from Edelweiss.
Frustrated by his lack of courage to approach Mitzi more directly, Abe uncharacteristically visits a fortune teller and in the process of the reading, Abe is whisked away to 1888 London, where he finds he is working for a Jewish man who discovered one of Jack the Ripper’s victims, In this surprising alternate reality Abe, now Asher, can speak Yiddish, lives with his widowed mother, and discovers that Mitzi, now Maya, was also visiting the fortune teller, is his upstairs tenement neighbor, and is blind. Each teen has been given a condition under which they may return to their original lives
Can they form a friendship and work together to escape poverty and the fear that surrounds being Jewish? Will their bond still exist if they manage to return? Readers expecting a lot of details about the Jack the Ripper murder may be disappointed but should enjoy the suspense and strongly described setting. EARC from Edelweiss.
February 18, 2022
Gr 6-9–Abe Pearlman is just an ordinary kid. He doesn’t play sports or have many friends, and he likes to walk the school track in the morning thinking of stories. He has a crush on Mitzy Singer, the blue-haired girl he has liked since fourth grade. But Abe isn’t daring enough to talk to her. Then one day, things start to change for Abe. On September 22nd—Elephant Appreciation Day—Abe meets a strange fortune teller who tells him he must save a life, and soon he is transported to the slums of Whitechapel in London’s East End during the time of Jack the Ripper. After a short time there, he realizes that Mitzy has been transported back in time as well, only she must travel on a ship to complete her fortune. Can Abe and Mitzy solve the mysteries of the fortune teller’s curse, or will they be stuck in the 1880s forever? Vernick’s focus on anti-Semitism and Jewish culture during this time in London is a fresh take on the narrative of Jack the Ripper. VERDICT This quick page-turner will captivate young readers. Vernick mixes fantasy, a bit of mystery, and historical fiction to bring middle school readers a story of Jewish life in London’s East End in the late 1800s.
(Review for SLJ)
(Review for SLJ)
October 10, 2022
Abe Pearlman is trying to gather his courage to talk to his crush, Mitzy, but instead he wanders into a fortune teller's shop and gets thrown back in time to Victorian London when Jack the Ripper is on the prowl. The only hints the cards gave him was that he has to save a life to return home. Mitzy gets thrown back in time, too, and she must take a boat ride. They assume the lives of Asher and Maya, who is blind, while they try to find their way home. The best parts of the book were the historical aspects that highlighted the prejudice against Jews in London as others decided they were Jack the Ripper. This plays a big role in the tasks that Abe and Mitzy must perform to return home. Their dealing with how different it is to live in poor London with no heat, little food, and no regular baths shows how life was in that era. However, the characters felt flat despite their learning to lean on one another and the mystery of the tasks was lackluster despite how important those tasks were for the real Asher and Maya.
July 21, 2021
Abe Pearlman visits a fortune teller who reveals his future shows him saving someone's life. And then before he knows it he's been transported to Victorian London during the reign of Jack the Ripper. While there he finds Mitzy Singer, his crush. She visited the same fortune teller and was suddenly transported as well. The two must find their way home.
This book was okay. I liked the idea of time travel and it was interesting to see Abe and Mitzy work together to try and fulfill the fortune teller's prophecies. I also didn't know about all the anti-Jewish sentiment involved in the Ripper case so it was eye opening to learn about that. But I'm not really sure what Abe and Mitzy were supposed to get out of their journey. The book seemed to be over before it had really begun.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to Edelweiss and Fitzroy Books for this ARC.
This book was okay. I liked the idea of time travel and it was interesting to see Abe and Mitzy work together to try and fulfill the fortune teller's prophecies. I also didn't know about all the anti-Jewish sentiment involved in the Ripper case so it was eye opening to learn about that. But I'm not really sure what Abe and Mitzy were supposed to get out of their journey. The book seemed to be over before it had really begun.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to Edelweiss and Fitzroy Books for this ARC.
December 17, 2021
This is a review of an ARC from Edelweiss
Abe Pearlman has giant crush on Mitzy Singer, but he's never had the bravery to do anything about it. One day he wanders into a fortune teller's shop and before he knows it, he is transported to Victorian London, as the city is terrorized by Jack the Ripper. Soon he learns that Mitzy has been sent back in time as well, both assuming lives of Jewish immigrants in the London tenements, just as the Ripper's activities have spawned riots and bouts antisemitism.
An interesting historical mystery that showed me an aspect of the Jack the Ripper story I had not heard before.I'm not sure why the author felt the need to make this a time-travel piece? The framing device is intended to help us see how Abe comes into his own and creates the connection between the two main characters, but I feel like the story could have worked as a straight-up historical mystery. A solid middle grade choice.
Abe Pearlman has giant crush on Mitzy Singer, but he's never had the bravery to do anything about it. One day he wanders into a fortune teller's shop and before he knows it, he is transported to Victorian London, as the city is terrorized by Jack the Ripper. Soon he learns that Mitzy has been sent back in time as well, both assuming lives of Jewish immigrants in the London tenements, just as the Ripper's activities have spawned riots and bouts antisemitism.
An interesting historical mystery that showed me an aspect of the Jack the Ripper story I had not heard before.I'm not sure why the author felt the need to make this a time-travel piece? The framing device is intended to help us see how Abe comes into his own and creates the connection between the two main characters, but I feel like the story could have worked as a straight-up historical mystery. A solid middle grade choice.
February 26, 2022
Like her protagonists Abe and Mitzy, readers will feel Ripped Away in Shirley Vernick’s inventive novel, transported back to 19th-century London in the time of the Jack the Ripper murders. As Abe and Mitzy try to understand how they got there – and, more importantly, how they might get back – Vernick’s readers are treated to a time-traveling thriller full of rich detail and telling observation. Vernick’s portrait of the London slums is bleak at times, rife with poverty and persecution, but is also home to acts of dignity, compassion, and even small moments of joy. A sense of history and mystery pervade Ripped Away, but the beating heart at its center is the blossoming friendship between the bashful, bumbling Abe and the more-poised Mitzy, as together they search for answers, escape, and perhaps something more. A compelling read.
April 23, 2022
I love all of Shirley Vernick's books, and "Ripped Away" is no exception; in fact, it may be my favorite! The story and characters are interesting and exciting, the the time-travel aspect fits right in. Experiencing Victorian London during the reign of Jack the Ripper through Abe/Asher's eyes was thrilling... and I learned a lot, too! The depth of Ms. Vernick's research was evident in the details, most of which were new to me. I felt as if I was right there on the crowded streets of the London slums, wondering when and where the Ripper would strike again—while simultaneously longing to return to modern life in the USA. "Ripped Away" isn't only a fun book to read, it's a thrilling journey to the past.
January 23, 2022
Quite a letdown from the time-traveling Jack the Ripper mystery I was expecting. Perhaps this is a case of incorrect billing since the story that IS here is okay, but not the adventure the description led me to believe, focusing more on the antisemitism in 1800's London. But even that point is diluted with less than compelling writing and an unclear mission. Why are these two characters sent here and what is the point of their respective missions? In books where people are trapped somewhere, they have to learn an important lesson to return to their regular lives. I don't see how either "lesson" here led to Mitzy and Abe handling things better in the present day. It was lackluster.
September 2, 2021
In Ripped Away, Shirley Reva Vernick brings history alive as deftly as she brings global themes home. I never knew that the Jack the Ripper spree led to anti-Semitic scapegoating, and I'm grateful that this author has brought the story to light. Her use of contemporary youngsters' voices make this story accessible to today's readers, who will see how history repeats itself if left untended. In addition, it's simply a great read, the kind that keeps you at the edge of your seat, rooting for the protagonists all the way.
September 2, 2021
I'm a teacher, and when I saw that acclaimed author Jeff Zentner called Ripped Away "the sort of book that makes lifelong readers out of reluctant ones," I knew I had to read it. I love this story! It's a fast-paced, suspenseful, time travel mystery that also illuminates a lesser-known incident of anti-Semitism. Vernick's writing is engaging, her characters are compelling and relatable, and the plot is absorbing. I highly recommend this book.
September 4, 2021
I’m a big fan of magical realism, and Ripped Away is a gem. The time-traveling, body-swapping elements work perfectly to transport the reader to the London slums during Jack the Ripper. Ripped Away is full of deep emotions, suspenseful plotting, history, and personal growth. I learned so much about the plight of Jewish refugees at the time, specifically about the xenophobia that the Ripper murders exacerbated. I loved the hopeful ending. I highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2021
Shirley Reva Vernick nails it with this one. By skillfully combining real history with fantasy, she has created an important, highly relevant, and superbly entertaining tale. Young readers will easily identify with Abe and Mitzy -- their challenges, their aspirations, their come-froms. I think this book will inspire meaningful conversations about otherness, friendship, and community action.
September 5, 2021
I'm into historical fiction because, if it’s well done, it’s both entertaining and informative. Ripped Away hits both of these notes beautifully. I’ve read about Jack the Ripper before, but I never knew about the anti-Semitic element. This book is an eye-opener. It also manages to be uplifting—not an easy task. Vernick’s writing is insightful and well-crafted, a real pleasure to read. Sequel?
September 7, 2021
Right from the start, I loved this book. I immediately got sucked into the head of the young narrator. Shirley is a true master of the teenage/young adult voice. Every chapter brings a new unexpected turn of events, which pulls you right along and keeps you reading. It was new to me that there was antisemitism involved with Jack the Ripper, but sadly not surprising.
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