In England in 1995, fifteen-year-old Tamar, grief-stricken by the death of her grandfather, slowly begins to uncover the secrets of his life in the Dutch resistance and the climactic events that forever cast a shadow on his life and that of his family.

Liz says:

“Tamar is a story of espionage, betrayal, and love. Even when the action is somewhat predictable the results are not. This is a tremendous example of historical fiction, mystery and intrigue. The novel is told from 2 perspectives and switches between 1944 and 1995. This is not for someone who wants a fast, easy read. If you’re willing to give it the time it deserves, you will be justly rewarded by this exceptional book.”

Eleven-year-old Irish Catholic Michael Devlin and Rabbi Judah Hirsch form a wonderful, if unlikely, friendship in Brooklyn in 1947, but the actions of a group of anti-Semitic thugs soon have them trapped in a spiral of hate and hoping for a miracle.

Jacob Green, an adolescent boy with an over-active imagination, learns about life, love, religion, sex, and growing up from his brother and his nanny.

Liz says:

“This is an uproariously funny and tragically sad story of Jacob who is simply trying to grow up. Suburban New Jersey in the 1970s seems harmless enough of a setting, but when Abram Green is your father, nothing is benign. Abram is a narcissistic, control freak who demands perfection of his wife and 4 children. Jacob relates his story with candor and humor so that even in the face of great emotional turmoil, you may find yourself laughing (and then crying). I want to mention that Jacob does have a lot of sexual fantasies (like all teenage boys) and his focus is his nanny. Just thought you might like the heads up!”