THE JUDGEMENT OF YOYO GOLD
Young Adult, Philomel/Penguin, Fall 2024
A smart and powerful story set in the Orthodox Jewish community about what it means to fit in, break out, and find your own way, by the award-winning author of THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF HOODIE ROSEN. This book is GOSSIP GIRL + MY NAME IS ASHER LEV + I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER.
Yoyo Gold has always played the role of the perfect Jewish daughter. She keeps kosher, looks after her siblings, and volunteers at the local food bank. She respects the decisions of her rabbi father and encourages her friends to observe the rules of their Orthodox faith. But when she sees her best friend cast out of the community over a seemingly innocent transgression, Yoyo’s eyes are opened to the truth of her neighbors’ hypocrisies for the first time. And what she sees leaves her shocked and unmoored.
As Yoyo’s frustration builds, so does the pressure to speak out, even if she can only do so anonymously on TikTok, an app that’s always been forbidden to her. But when one of her videos goes viral—and her decisions wind up impacting not only her own life but also her relationship with the boy she’s falling for—Yoyo’s world is thrown into chaos. She is forced to choose which path to take, for her community, for her family, and most importantly, for herself.Award-winning author Isaac Blum returns with a new novel that asks what it really means to be part of a community—and what it means to break free.
Rights Sold:
US: Penguin / Philomel (NA)
Reviews:
“Blum’s depiction of a teenage Orthodox Jewish girl is remarkable in its precision and authenticity, along with the depth he gives Yoyo as she experiences life outside her community and contemplates her future. [C]onvincing and appealing.” —Booklist (starred)
“A nuanced novel about finding oneself amid the perceived constraints and comforts of one’s environment.” —Publishers Weekly
“A kosher coming-of-age story with a bissel of romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Social media, alcohol, and physical relationships feature heavily in the story, and each potential hot-button issue is handled with delicacy and nuance as Yoyo approaches these new experiences from her sheltered but mature perspective. While the book critiques Orthodoxy, it also treats its norms and traditions with respect. Even at the height of mean-girl drama, the characters have dimension and agency, and Yoyo models a level of integrity that feels both genuine and aspirational. The story’s depictions of teens grappling with expectations are specific to this community and also represent universal themes of growing up, friendship, family pressures, and being true to oneself.” —Horn Book (starred)
"THE JUDGEMENT OF YOYO GOLD showcases the power of following your heart and doing what's right in the face of community pressure. With a funny, biting, realistically teenage protagonist and packed with loving social critique, this book is for anyone who's ever got tired of swallowing their righteous anger." —Sacha Lamb, award-winning author of WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY and THE FORBIDDEN BOOK
"Earnest and passionate, and yet perfectly flawed, Yoyo and Shua will enthrall readers as they search for truth. Blum again portrays the Orthodox Jewish world with sensitivity and understanding, while exploding tropes and finding humor in even the most heart-wrenching moments. Yoyo and Shua's chemistry is electric and will keep his readers turning the pages and hoping for more." —Leah Scheier, Sydney Taylor Honor Author of THE LAST WORDS WE SAID