  | Ain't it funny Author: Gurevich, Margaret | |
| Price: $23.08 | ||
Summary:
Eleven-year-old Maya refuses to let her growing anxiety and OCD hold her back from using stand-up comedy to bring her parents back together.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.40 Points: 7.0 Quiz: 556646 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/01/24)
Booklist (10/15/24)
The Hornbook (00/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 10/15/2024 Lately, life has been a cruel joke for Maya, 11, as she navigates her parents’ recent separation, helps out at the family’s Russian deli, and manages her increasing anxiety and obsession with germs. Maya’s dad, an aspiring stand-up comedian, isn’t around often, so when the sixth-grade talent show is announced, Maya believes that performing her own stand-up routine is the perfect opportunity to reunite her family. The text blends helpful joke-crafting tips with Maya’s anxious descent (described as “hot-hot-hot” and “whoosh and tingle” feelings), embodying the adage, comedy is tragedy plus time. When Maya’s teacher has an OCD-induced breakdown that goes viral, they bond, especially after Maya’s own panic attack leads to a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with OCD tendencies. Beyond mental health representation, Gurevich imbues the narrative with Russian Jewish heritage by featuring some traditional Russian dishes, Chanukah, and Russian cultural beliefs, such as adhering firmly to reserved displays of emotions. Gurevich has created an earnest but nervous protagonist in Maya, reflective of anxious adolescents today. Back matter includes family recipes. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
