Critical Review of "The Truth about My Bat Mitzvah"

Right away the author of this critical review says that Baskin sticks to “writing what she knows.” It discusses how Baskin’s book is actually based from her personal experience as a child as well as her experience of working with children from, what the author calls, “mixed-religion families.” I found this very interesting that the author is in essence the main character, Caroline, from the story. This insight explains how much of an insider Baskin is not only to Judaism but also to this “claiming new heritage” experience highlighted in the story.

The author of this article highlights the importance of literature like this one because of its emphasis on the fact that children do not have to be Bar or Bat Mitzvah in order to be Jewish. Although, Baskin does want to send the message that having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is an extremely moving experience for a Jewish child.

The article discusses the fact that Baskin never felt like she was Jewish enough or felt comfortable claiming herself as Jewish because she never had a Bat Mitzvah or spoke Hebrew. Her book is trying to send the message to all its readers to be comfortable in their “Jewish-ness.” The main character Caroline sends a last message of confidence in her “Jewish-ness” when she has an epiphany that her mother was Jewish and she is already twelve so technically she is already Jewish, without having a Bat Mitzvah. I believe that this main character will help young adult readers to understand that they should be proud of who they are and to claim it loudly and proudly!
Citation:
Mindel, Cindy. "Spotlight on…Nora Baskin." Jewish Ledger. 2 Apr. 2008. 21 Apr. 2008 .