The Book of Elsie (Orca Currents) - Engaging Teen Fiction Novel for Young Readers | Perfect for Book Clubs, Gifts & Classroom Reading

Purim is a Jewish holiday which celebrates the victory over evil that endangered Jewish people. The celebration always includes the reading of the biblical Book of Esther. This brave, smart woman outsmarts a wicked prejudiced man to save her people. The book of Elsie has a modernized variation of the theme. Elsie discovers that the Purim party will have to be canceled because the temple is in financial straits , and that the congregation may have to sell the building. She channels her inner Esther and develops a plan that may just save the temple. Unfortunately, she encounters antisemitism and prejudice along the way. The main character is Jewish, but her family is one with two fathers, and her best friend is black. The book follows the characters as they deal with many forms of prejudice. It has some heavy themes appropriate for middle grade readers. but it is a special book in that it follows a hi-lo format. Hi-lo is a term for high interest, low reading level. They are designed to be accesable to reluctant readers and readers with learning disabilities. They have dyslexia-friendly fonts, are shorter, and have more simple language. This makes it a great book for these readers. The book centers on a preteen protagonist, but it is interesting enough to capture the attention of adults too. I recommend this book for anyone ten or older at any reading level.