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OyMG
Jewish girl. Christian camp. Holy moly.
Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she's sure that if she wins the final tournament, it'll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot-literally. His name is Devon and, whether she likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she's confident enough to take on the challenge-until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship's benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity and heritage be worth a shot at her dream?
Debut author Amy Fellner Dominy mixes sweet romance, surprising secrets, and even some matzo ball soup to cook up a funny yet heartfelt story about an outspoken girl who must learn to speak out for herself.
Ellie Taylor loves nothing better than a good argument. So when she gets accepted to the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp, she's sure that if she wins the final tournament, it'll be her ticket to a scholarship to the best speech school in the country. Unfortunately, the competition at CSSPA is hot-literally. His name is Devon and, whether she likes it or not, being near him makes her sizzle. Luckily she's confident enough to take on the challenge-until she begins to suspect that the private scholarship's benefactor has negative feelings toward Jews. Will hiding her true identity and heritage be worth a shot at her dream?
Debut author Amy Fellner Dominy mixes sweet romance, surprising secrets, and even some matzo ball soup to cook up a funny yet heartfelt story about an outspoken girl who must learn to speak out for herself.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2011
About the author
Amy Fellner Dominy
9 books257 followersHi! I'm the author of novels for teens and tweens as well as picture books for toddlers. I love writing stories that will make you laugh, sigh, swoon...and if I break your heart I promise to patch it up by the end. :) New in YA Romance, the follow-up to Announcing Trouble: HOW TO QUIT YOUR CRUSH. May the worst date win!
I live and sweat in Phoenix, Arizona with my hubby and a puppy who is training us.
Learn more about all my titles at www.amydominy.com. You'll also find a link there to sign up for my newsletter with exclusive news, excerpts, and giveaways.
Follow me on Instagram: @amydominy
I live and sweat in Phoenix, Arizona with my hubby and a puppy who is training us.
Learn more about all my titles at www.amydominy.com. You'll also find a link there to sign up for my newsletter with exclusive news, excerpts, and giveaways.
Follow me on Instagram: @amydominy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 30, 2019
Ellie Jane Taylor is pretty - but also argumentative, audacious, intelligent and determined to get accepted to Benedict's Conservatory of Arts and Academics - an exclusive Christian high school, but to do so, she has to win a scholarship. All she has to do is win first place at the CSSPA oratory camp and impress Mrs. Doris Yeats, who is on the Board of Directors of Benedict's and grants a yearly scholarship to students in need.
Trigger alert: This story deals frankly with discrimination based on religious affiliation. Many readers shy away from books even remotely referring to religion, but this book is not preachy. It is hilarious, adventurous and philosophical. It even has a bit of "sizzle" when Ellie meets her match in Devon Yeats. Devon regularly wins first place in the competitions and is not about to let Ellie walk away with his prize, but as the summer camp progresses, so does their attraction for each other and they become an item. Big problem, though: while Devon has no issues with the fact that Ellie is Jewish, he knows his Grandmother does, and he warns her not to advertise this fact in front of her.
Ellie is conflicted: should she stand up to Mrs. Yeats anti-semitic bias or keep her religious background under wraps so that she can win the scholarship and get into Benedicts (and attend the same school as her hot new boyfriend, Devon!) No more spoilers: this was a fun, quick read. But here is what Ellie takes away from this dilemma:
"... Nobody had ever hated me before. But now I knew I could be hated - and not just by one woman. By thousands and thousands of people. They'd never even met me and they hated me. There could be people, right now, looking up at the same stars and wishing me dead. Wishing people like me dead. Jewish people."
Racism, bigotry and discrimination are not harmless. We cannot keep quiet about it or convince ourselves that it doesn't matter - shrug it off. Ellie realizes that the greatest problem we face is the ".... way we accept prejudice, live with it, and enable it to continue.... If we are truly to become the greatest generation ever, then the smallest injustice is big enough to stand against."
Ellie's grandfather is a curmudgeonly gem. He tries everyone's patience but you have to love him anyway.
This was a truly entertaining and informative read. Hard to believe that this was Amy Fellner Dominy's first novel. This author writes so very well: her dialogue is humorous and realistic, the plot is well thought out and fast paced, and her characters are real and embraceable. I highly recommend this very excellent young adult novel, by one of my favourite authors!
Trigger alert: This story deals frankly with discrimination based on religious affiliation. Many readers shy away from books even remotely referring to religion, but this book is not preachy. It is hilarious, adventurous and philosophical. It even has a bit of "sizzle" when Ellie meets her match in Devon Yeats. Devon regularly wins first place in the competitions and is not about to let Ellie walk away with his prize, but as the summer camp progresses, so does their attraction for each other and they become an item. Big problem, though: while Devon has no issues with the fact that Ellie is Jewish, he knows his Grandmother does, and he warns her not to advertise this fact in front of her.
Ellie is conflicted: should she stand up to Mrs. Yeats anti-semitic bias or keep her religious background under wraps so that she can win the scholarship and get into Benedicts (and attend the same school as her hot new boyfriend, Devon!) No more spoilers: this was a fun, quick read. But here is what Ellie takes away from this dilemma:
"... Nobody had ever hated me before. But now I knew I could be hated - and not just by one woman. By thousands and thousands of people. They'd never even met me and they hated me. There could be people, right now, looking up at the same stars and wishing me dead. Wishing people like me dead. Jewish people."
Racism, bigotry and discrimination are not harmless. We cannot keep quiet about it or convince ourselves that it doesn't matter - shrug it off. Ellie realizes that the greatest problem we face is the ".... way we accept prejudice, live with it, and enable it to continue.... If we are truly to become the greatest generation ever, then the smallest injustice is big enough to stand against."
Ellie's grandfather is a curmudgeonly gem. He tries everyone's patience but you have to love him anyway.
This was a truly entertaining and informative read. Hard to believe that this was Amy Fellner Dominy's first novel. This author writes so very well: her dialogue is humorous and realistic, the plot is well thought out and fast paced, and her characters are real and embraceable. I highly recommend this very excellent young adult novel, by one of my favourite authors!
April 15, 2012
This review can also be found on Reading Between Classes
Cover Impressions: The cover is very cute. Covered in doodles, it looks like it could have been pulled from Ellie's notebook. I love the play on words in the title and hope that most teens would get it.
The Gist: Ellie has one goal: to attend the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp and win a coveted scholarship to St. Benedict's school, the posh school with the best debate team around. As a Jewish girl in a Christian camp, Ellie feels a little out of place and her plans are threatened when she discovers that the school's benefactor, and her the grandmother of her crush and main competition, may be prejudiced against Jews. Ellie must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice in order to win.
Review: OyMG is an enjoyable read about a young girl struggling to find her own identity in the face of what everyone else wants her to be. The plot is a little expected and predictable, but the characters are fantastic. Ellie is a strong and independent young woman who knows the value of a good argument and is willing to work hard for the things that she wants. Her parents are loving and supportive - something that is often all too rare in YA novels! The best friend has her own set of issues (can we have a book featuring Megan as the MC please?) the love interest is smart and interesting and the villain is realistic and complex. However the stand out (and in close competition with Sage from The False Prince for the prize of favorite character thus far in 2012) is her Zeydeh (Grandfather). He is so well written that I was convinced he was based on a real person (he's not - I asked) and determined to meet him. Zeydeh has the best lines enhances this novel with a wonderful spark of humor. It is not too often that I can "hear" a character speak, but I could hear Zeydeh, in fact, I am still hearing Zeydeh (right now he is telling me to finish my tappity-tapping so we can look up recipes for Motzo Ball Soup). He is uncompromising, he is funny and he is the one person who demands that Ellie expect more from herself.
Characters aside, the plot moves quickly and does not suffer from any lag. There is no InstaLove and it does not paint the world (and the people in it) in black and white. I am happy to add this to my Classroom Library and cannot wait to see if my students are able to draw any comparisons to their own lives.
Teaching/Parental Notes:
Age: 12 and up
Gender: Will probably be more appealing to girls
Sex: None
Violence: None
Inappropriate Language: None
Substance Abuse: None
July 8, 2011
Ellie’s parents say she was born debating, and there’s no denying she loves a good argument. She hopes the skills she developed in presenting her side of a case will get her a scholarship into prestigious Benedict’s school, and her ticket in may be performing well at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp.
Sure she’s Jewish, but that shouldn’t make a difference, right? OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy has everything needed to be a good book to read and a good book to discuss for mother-daughter book clubs. Thirteen-year-old Ellie is funny, confident in her ability to think on her feet, but a bit insecure when it comes to boys. She loves her Zeydeh (Yiddish for grandfather), who lives just down the street and spends a lot of time at her home.
When she’s asked to lie about being Jewish, it brings up a lot of questions for her that may even bring out a debate in your own group with questions that explore values and faith. Is lying ever okay to get you something you want, when you know in your own heart you’re not representing yourself truthfully? Can you tell how someone will act based on their religion? How do you deal with family members you love who are prejudiced when you aren’t? Do children have an obligation to carry on in the traditions of their parents and grandparents?
There are no pat answers in OyMG; instead you’ll find lots of nuance to help you look at both sides of the issues—just like a good debate. I had a lot of fun reading about how debaters prepare for their arguments. The subplots of Zeydah’s soup competition and Ellie’s budding relationship with Devon also provide a few unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing about how things were going to turn out until the very last debate. I highly recommend OyMG for groups with girls aged 12 and up.
Sure she’s Jewish, but that shouldn’t make a difference, right? OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy has everything needed to be a good book to read and a good book to discuss for mother-daughter book clubs. Thirteen-year-old Ellie is funny, confident in her ability to think on her feet, but a bit insecure when it comes to boys. She loves her Zeydeh (Yiddish for grandfather), who lives just down the street and spends a lot of time at her home.
When she’s asked to lie about being Jewish, it brings up a lot of questions for her that may even bring out a debate in your own group with questions that explore values and faith. Is lying ever okay to get you something you want, when you know in your own heart you’re not representing yourself truthfully? Can you tell how someone will act based on their religion? How do you deal with family members you love who are prejudiced when you aren’t? Do children have an obligation to carry on in the traditions of their parents and grandparents?
There are no pat answers in OyMG; instead you’ll find lots of nuance to help you look at both sides of the issues—just like a good debate. I had a lot of fun reading about how debaters prepare for their arguments. The subplots of Zeydah’s soup competition and Ellie’s budding relationship with Devon also provide a few unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing about how things were going to turn out until the very last debate. I highly recommend OyMG for groups with girls aged 12 and up.
May 5, 2011
Amy Dominy’s debut young adult novel, OyMG will warm your heart and make you laugh out loud whether you are 13 or 53. With the precision of a stand-up comedian, Dominy hits every hilarious beat in the stressed-out world of high school speech and debate. With equal precision she portrays the confused inner world of fourteen year old Ellie, who wants more than anything to win the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts Summer Camp Scholarship to attend Benedict’s High School in the fall (even if she is Jewish and her Zeydeh (grandpa) thinks Christian camp is no place for a Jewish girl). That is, Ellie thinks that’s what she wants more than anything, until a web of lies, a sick feeling in her stomach that might just be her conscience and her argumentative Zeydeh help her find out who she really is, even if that person isn’t the one the bigoted donor of the scholarship fund is going to choose. Along the way, Ellie falls in love—make that, starts to sizzle—with the hottest guy at Benedict’s summer speech camp, who just happens to be the grandson of the bigoted Mrs. Yeats. He has some identity issues to sort out also—this is the world of teen-agers after all. Dominy manages to give us a satisfying ending without portraying unrealistic transformations or denying the ugliness that often imbues our society. Whether a young adult is Jewish or not (the book is recommended for ages 12 and up), this thought-provoking book will give him or her plenty to digest and the humor will make it go down like a piece of chocolate angel food cake.
November 14, 2011
Okay, this has been a difficult review to write. I have been struggling to get this review cobbled together. Why? Well, for one, this YA book delves into serious (and wholly relevant) issues regarding religious affiliation and prejudice, so I do not want to sound at all casual (or insensitive) in my review.
For about two-thirds of the novel, I was really hooked. And then...my enthusiasm kind of teetered off. As a reader, I felt as though the overall message of the novel got lost in a shuffle. I think the premise, the characters, the writing, etc.- all of that are very solid. Ellie herself is a strong and intelligent young teen protagonist, which is a huge plus.
However, here's what really knocked the experience of the novel for me: I had a very difficult time processing was some of the characters' motivations and messages towards the end of novel.
One. I felt like some more insight and/or background for Doris Yates, the anti-Semitic benefactor, was needed. Not to explain or justify her prejudice, but to explore her motivations and history as a person. There is one major showdown between Ellie and Mrs. Yates towards the end of the novel, and I was shocked by the sudden verbal ugliness that Mrs. Yates expresses. Maybe the author felt that no more insight or background to the character was needed. And it is true that we get prejudicial and uncomfortable moments courtesy of Mrs. Yates earlier in the novel, but even so, it felt like something was missing...Her character is left as a mean and prejudiced elderly Christian. What do we take away from that?
Two. I also couldn't figure out what Ellie's true identity was that was meant to be expressed. By that, I mean, was it only when she felt the weight of her Jewish ancestors' history that she finally 'felt' Jewish? Was Ellie only (or mostly) able to identify herself through her mother's religion? Or was there something more to her journey of self-discovery?
Three. I was really hoping for the author to explore Ellie's parents' relationship a bit more. Ellie's mother being Jewish, and her father raised as Lutheran meant that she had parents from different religious backgrounds. SO. With her maternal grandfather seemingly orthodox, AND clearly expressing some unhappiness over the fact that his daughter rebelled and married outside the Jewish faith- there is familial history that we don't get a look into. The dynamic and relationship between Ellie's grandfather and Ellie's father is not even touched upon- and I thought this was a major part of the novel left unexplored!
Four. Why would Ellie's parents agree to let her hide her heritage on the application form to the high school (...or why couldn't they argue that that you can't ask religious affiliation questions...). Or, maybe the bigger question is, why hadn't anyone ever investigated the school's prejudicial scholarship or intake practices before?
Verdict: Okay to Good. Dominy has written a YA novel to make you think.
For about two-thirds of the novel, I was really hooked. And then...my enthusiasm kind of teetered off. As a reader, I felt as though the overall message of the novel got lost in a shuffle. I think the premise, the characters, the writing, etc.- all of that are very solid. Ellie herself is a strong and intelligent young teen protagonist, which is a huge plus.
However, here's what really knocked the experience of the novel for me: I had a very difficult time processing was some of the characters' motivations and messages towards the end of novel.
One. I felt like some more insight and/or background for Doris Yates, the anti-Semitic benefactor, was needed. Not to explain or justify her prejudice, but to explore her motivations and history as a person. There is one major showdown between Ellie and Mrs. Yates towards the end of the novel, and I was shocked by the sudden verbal ugliness that Mrs. Yates expresses. Maybe the author felt that no more insight or background to the character was needed. And it is true that we get prejudicial and uncomfortable moments courtesy of Mrs. Yates earlier in the novel, but even so, it felt like something was missing...Her character is left as a mean and prejudiced elderly Christian. What do we take away from that?
Two. I also couldn't figure out what Ellie's true identity was that was meant to be expressed. By that, I mean, was it only when she felt the weight of her Jewish ancestors' history that she finally 'felt' Jewish? Was Ellie only (or mostly) able to identify herself through her mother's religion? Or was there something more to her journey of self-discovery?
Three. I was really hoping for the author to explore Ellie's parents' relationship a bit more. Ellie's mother being Jewish, and her father raised as Lutheran meant that she had parents from different religious backgrounds. SO. With her maternal grandfather seemingly orthodox, AND clearly expressing some unhappiness over the fact that his daughter rebelled and married outside the Jewish faith- there is familial history that we don't get a look into. The dynamic and relationship between Ellie's grandfather and Ellie's father is not even touched upon- and I thought this was a major part of the novel left unexplored!
Four. Why would Ellie's parents agree to let her hide her heritage on the application form to the high school (...or why couldn't they argue that that you can't ask religious affiliation questions...). Or, maybe the bigger question is, why hadn't anyone ever investigated the school's prejudicial scholarship or intake practices before?
Verdict: Okay to Good. Dominy has written a YA novel to make you think.
May 11, 2011
My Thoughts: When I first heard about this one, I was very excited. Because of the arguing. I love reading about a girl and a boy debating against each other and than starting to "like" each other. It sounded really sweet.
We are introduced to Ellie who is a teenager. She isn't just any normal teenager. Her family is very religious. She comes from a mostly jewish family even though there is a Lutheran in there. Ellie’s father is Lutheran but mother is Jewish. She gets accepted into the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp. This is exciting for Ellie because she believes if she can do good she can get accepted into the best school for speech in the country. She needs this scholarship because its the only way she can go there. The school is too expensive otherwise.
She shows up the first day of camp and goes head to head with Devon, who of course happens to be the grandson of the women running the scholarship. She makes a fool of herself, so much for first impressions.
Ellie and Devon face off and they soon learn to respect each other. Even though they are competing against each other, they try not to let that get in the way of their blossoming friendship. Of course Ellie can't like a guy. She's never been into boys much. She's too focused for that. And, Devon is so gorgeous, there is no way he can like Ellie like that, right???
So many issues arise in this novel. Religion is a big topic. Ellie wants to make her grandfather proud by standing up about Jews, but also doesn't want to lose the scholarship by saying she's not fully Christian. Than, there is also the morals of is it ok to lie if its to get what you want when the person your lying too seems biased? Even if you feel crummy about it? Discrimination presents its big head in OyMG.
OyMG was a nice novel. It dealt with these issues nicely and I liked seeing the relationship between Ellie and her grandfather. We can tell she really really loves him. I also liked watching Devon squirm a few times and the chemistry between Ellie and Devon was hot!
Overall: A nice debut novel! If you like debate, want to know more about religion, or want to see what happens between Ellie and Devon read OyMG now!
Cover: Like it! It does make it feel like a tween novel though, when in reality it is definitely a teen novel. Its cute though.
What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
____________________________________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
We are introduced to Ellie who is a teenager. She isn't just any normal teenager. Her family is very religious. She comes from a mostly jewish family even though there is a Lutheran in there. Ellie’s father is Lutheran but mother is Jewish. She gets accepted into the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp. This is exciting for Ellie because she believes if she can do good she can get accepted into the best school for speech in the country. She needs this scholarship because its the only way she can go there. The school is too expensive otherwise.
She shows up the first day of camp and goes head to head with Devon, who of course happens to be the grandson of the women running the scholarship. She makes a fool of herself, so much for first impressions.
Ellie and Devon face off and they soon learn to respect each other. Even though they are competing against each other, they try not to let that get in the way of their blossoming friendship. Of course Ellie can't like a guy. She's never been into boys much. She's too focused for that. And, Devon is so gorgeous, there is no way he can like Ellie like that, right???
So many issues arise in this novel. Religion is a big topic. Ellie wants to make her grandfather proud by standing up about Jews, but also doesn't want to lose the scholarship by saying she's not fully Christian. Than, there is also the morals of is it ok to lie if its to get what you want when the person your lying too seems biased? Even if you feel crummy about it? Discrimination presents its big head in OyMG.
OyMG was a nice novel. It dealt with these issues nicely and I liked seeing the relationship between Ellie and her grandfather. We can tell she really really loves him. I also liked watching Devon squirm a few times and the chemistry between Ellie and Devon was hot!
Overall: A nice debut novel! If you like debate, want to know more about religion, or want to see what happens between Ellie and Devon read OyMG now!
Cover: Like it! It does make it feel like a tween novel though, when in reality it is definitely a teen novel. Its cute though.
What I'd Give It: 4/5 Cupcakes
____________________________________
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
May 1, 2011
This book made me smile.
Why you ask? Because it was full of hilarity and cuteness. I never thought debate camp would be so much fun! The relationships in this story were nice and not too overdone, for example, Ellie and her best friend weren’t attached at the hip. Devon was the kind of sweet guy I would have a crush on and I was cheering for Ellie and him all through the book. They were great characters, but Zeydeh had to be my favorite. I wish I had a grandfather like him; he was funny and always spoke his mind.
I liked that this book also had a life lesson in it and it wasn’t just a cute book, it was deep too. The whole idea of a Jewish girl going to a Christian debate camp sounds hilarious so why wouldn’t you want to read this book?
If you like a cute, funny story about growing up and debate, this story is for you. This debut is wonderful! 4.5 Stars!
Why you ask? Because it was full of hilarity and cuteness. I never thought debate camp would be so much fun! The relationships in this story were nice and not too overdone, for example, Ellie and her best friend weren’t attached at the hip. Devon was the kind of sweet guy I would have a crush on and I was cheering for Ellie and him all through the book. They were great characters, but Zeydeh had to be my favorite. I wish I had a grandfather like him; he was funny and always spoke his mind.
I liked that this book also had a life lesson in it and it wasn’t just a cute book, it was deep too. The whole idea of a Jewish girl going to a Christian debate camp sounds hilarious so why wouldn’t you want to read this book?
If you like a cute, funny story about growing up and debate, this story is for you. This debut is wonderful! 4.5 Stars!
March 24, 2011
OyMG, indeed! This made me very hungry for matzo ball soup, made me giggle and smile (a whole bunch of times) and made me cry (twice!) >> review: http://www.readnowsleeplater.com/2011...
Finally booksellers will have a book to recommend to shoppers who want a good Jewish role model in a YA novel... even though she spends most of the book pretending to be Christian :)
Finally booksellers will have a book to recommend to shoppers who want a good Jewish role model in a YA novel... even though she spends most of the book pretending to be Christian :)
June 11, 2011
This was a very clean, well written book. Contemporary is usually not my first choice, but I enjoyed it immensely.
July 26, 2011
Ellie’s not entirely sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but she’s got her short-term goals set. She’s going to a summer camp at an exclusive private school in the hopes that she’ll nail the oratory competition and then get a scholarship. (Ellie LOVES debate and wants to turn that into a career, but the exact job is still TBD.) But there’s a tiny snag. Ellie’s Jewish and this is a Christian camp and school. Slightly bigger obstacle: the woman giving out the scholarship may dislike Jewish people. So now Ellie has to choose whether to out herself as a member of God’s chosen people now or after she gets the scholarship.
Complicating things further? She really likes the woman’s grandson, the incredibly gorgeous Devon.
This is such a fantastic book. I think this would be a great classroom/book club pick because there are so many great discussions to have about it.
We all make compromises every day and I don’t think it’s necessarily a betrayal to act differently based on who you’re around. But it’s also a slippery slope, you know?
Here’s an example (an oft-cited one, so I’m sorry if you’ve heard this a thousand times before). I’m a lesbian and I went to church with my best friend. The pastor said something about “hang a homo day” and then said, “I don’t know, maybe we should.” I don’t remember the context, but there’s really no acceptable one. I didn’t say anything and I didn’t get up and leave. It’s been probably a good 15 years or so since that sermon and I am still beating myself up for it.
That’s a pretty extreme example, but there are some extreme examples in this book, too. It doesn’t start with those usually. It starts with small comments that you can absolutely let slide. After all, you don’t want to be Katie in The Way We Were, right? But really, all you have is your name and your self. Don’t sell it out.
Wow, this review got heavy, right? And while there are definitely major thought-provoking themes in this book, it’s also really funny and sweet and swoon-worthy.
Absolutely read this book now now now now.
Complicating things further? She really likes the woman’s grandson, the incredibly gorgeous Devon.
This is such a fantastic book. I think this would be a great classroom/book club pick because there are so many great discussions to have about it.
We all make compromises every day and I don’t think it’s necessarily a betrayal to act differently based on who you’re around. But it’s also a slippery slope, you know?
Here’s an example (an oft-cited one, so I’m sorry if you’ve heard this a thousand times before). I’m a lesbian and I went to church with my best friend. The pastor said something about “hang a homo day” and then said, “I don’t know, maybe we should.” I don’t remember the context, but there’s really no acceptable one. I didn’t say anything and I didn’t get up and leave. It’s been probably a good 15 years or so since that sermon and I am still beating myself up for it.
That’s a pretty extreme example, but there are some extreme examples in this book, too. It doesn’t start with those usually. It starts with small comments that you can absolutely let slide. After all, you don’t want to be Katie in The Way We Were, right? But really, all you have is your name and your self. Don’t sell it out.
Wow, this review got heavy, right? And while there are definitely major thought-provoking themes in this book, it’s also really funny and sweet and swoon-worthy.
Absolutely read this book now now now now.
May 17, 2012
This book was a fairly simple read. It was a cute story about a Jewish girl going to a Christian day camp and her experience. I like that it dealt with prejudice and racism that is still happening in today’s society. It may not be as extreme as it used to be, but it still happens.
I like Ellie, the main character. She was a strong character who was dealing with herself and who she really was. Her strong-willed religious grandfather was an amazing character. I liked that he was very sure of who he was and very outspoken about what he felt. He was there to challenge Ellie and he did just that. I don’t know how I felt about Devon. He was an ok male lead, but I don’t feel like he was as strong as he could have been.
There was a good balance between the old way of thinking, the grandparents, and the new way, the kids. There was a definite obvious difference between how they both viewed religion and how they lived their lives. I like that it was so real to the way things are now. The older generations are more open to how they feel, while the younger ones are more worried about fitting in.
The ending to this one was obvious, but still great. I was proud of Ellie and I enjoyed watching her reach her decision and in doing so, become an independent person.
This whole story was very believable and I enjoyed it. I would have like to see more depth to Devon, but otherwise a great read for middle grade readers.
I like Ellie, the main character. She was a strong character who was dealing with herself and who she really was. Her strong-willed religious grandfather was an amazing character. I liked that he was very sure of who he was and very outspoken about what he felt. He was there to challenge Ellie and he did just that. I don’t know how I felt about Devon. He was an ok male lead, but I don’t feel like he was as strong as he could have been.
There was a good balance between the old way of thinking, the grandparents, and the new way, the kids. There was a definite obvious difference between how they both viewed religion and how they lived their lives. I like that it was so real to the way things are now. The older generations are more open to how they feel, while the younger ones are more worried about fitting in.
The ending to this one was obvious, but still great. I was proud of Ellie and I enjoyed watching her reach her decision and in doing so, become an independent person.
This whole story was very believable and I enjoyed it. I would have like to see more depth to Devon, but otherwise a great read for middle grade readers.
April 20, 2011
In Amy Dominy‘s debut tween novel, OYMG, faith and love — or at least “sizzle” — clash in one of the cutest stories I’ve read in a while. Of course, it’s not all cute — the book has some wonderful serious moments as well. In fact, for Ellie Taylor, the speech and debate program she’s attending at a Christian-sponsored summer camp will not only be her first experience with sizzle (what her BFF calls that crush-ing feeling), but also with antisemitism.
Ellie loves to argue. She’s awesome at it, and is determined to win a scholarship that’s awarded every summer at the camp she’s attending, despite her Zeydeh’s warnings that no good can come of a Jewish girl attending a Christian camp. Zeydeh is the Yiddish word for grandfather, and Ellie’s gramps is really proud of his faith. So is Ellie, most of the time. But it’s not easy to be the only Jew at camp. Every morning all the kids pray to Jesus. And in one of the first speech excercises, she’s asked to speak on — of all things — Christmas trees. Ellie isn’t going to let any of this shake her faith. But when Ellie finds out that the sponsor of the highly coveted scholorship — and the grandmother of her crush — might have something against Jews, she finds herself in a bit of a pickle. Should she hider her faith for her chance at her dreams, or speak out and risk everything?
March 22, 2012
What happens when a Jewish girl goes to a Christian camp for speech and debate? Ellie Taylor loves to debate. The best debate team is at Benedict’s High School, and if Ellie performs well and wins the oratory contest at the summer camp, she can also win a scholarship to the exclusive (& expensive) school. The first day of camp, she meets Devon who just happens to be the grandson of the benefactor who chooses the scholarship winner. When she finds out that Devon’s grandmother has a “problem” with Jews, will Ellie deny her heritage to have a chance at the scholarship. Does she have a chance to be Devon’s girlfriend, even though he’s Christian and she’s Jewish?
This is a sweet and thought-provoking story about the fine line between compromise and denying your identity. As Ellie hides the fact that she is Jewish, when does an omission turn into an outright lie? Although a story about a speech and debate contest sounds like a bore, this book is not. Ellie is a great character, and her family and friends are fully formed and realistic. Although adults will probably see the ending from a mile away, the tension steadily builds to a climax that is logical and satisfying and believably happy. Sure to raise questions for some teens who are questioning their faith and values.
This is a sweet and thought-provoking story about the fine line between compromise and denying your identity. As Ellie hides the fact that she is Jewish, when does an omission turn into an outright lie? Although a story about a speech and debate contest sounds like a bore, this book is not. Ellie is a great character, and her family and friends are fully formed and realistic. Although adults will probably see the ending from a mile away, the tension steadily builds to a climax that is logical and satisfying and believably happy. Sure to raise questions for some teens who are questioning their faith and values.
June 28, 2011
Loved this timely story of a Jewish girl attending a Christian camp who must choose between revealing or hiding her religion in order to have a shot at a coveted scholarship. Although the wonderful main character, Ellie Taylor, is Jewish, this book will speak to any teen who maybe feels the need to keep their beliefs under wraps. One of my favorite segments of the book is a scene between Ellie and her beloved Zeydeh (grandfather) where he explains to her that if she doesn't speak up for herself, there are plenty of people lined up to do the job. Such an important reminder to let your own voice be heard.
Dominy has done a wonderful job with a difficult, yet important subject, and has interwoven lots of humor throughout (lots of laughs in this book). The writing is seamless, the characters are memorable. This one is a must read!
Dominy has done a wonderful job with a difficult, yet important subject, and has interwoven lots of humor throughout (lots of laughs in this book). The writing is seamless, the characters are memorable. This one is a must read!
August 4, 2011
I received this book in the mail a few days ago saying that I won it on a book blog! I didn't even know I won it, and it didn't say which blog it came from! What a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed this book! I really liked Ellie's character, and what can I say about Zeydeh? I love him!! There were so many things that I liked about this book, and so hard to put it all into words. I loved the dynamics of Ellie's family. Ellie sure had something that she was working towards - getting into Benedict's so that she could pursue her love of debate. I loved the faith aspect of this book too. I mean, a Jew going to a Catholic school? Sometimes it is easier to blend in then stand up and be who you are. A great book!!
July 11, 2011
This was a deceptively cute title for what turned out to be a powerful little book. Ellie will be entering high school in the fall and would love to win a scholarship to an elite private school that the winner of a local speech camp receives. Turns out the speech camp is Christian based and Ellie, a product of a Christian/Jewish union, has really grown up Jewish and didn't know how proud she was of it until now. This tackled some tough subjects for teens as Ellie tries to decide how much of the truth should be revealed in order to be eligible for the scholarship. At times, Ellie and her friends seemed much older than their purported 14. But then again, they are a loquacious bunch, always ready to argue a side of any topic.
July 15, 2011
I've heard it said that religion is one of the few taboos left in YA lit, and here's a mainstream upper-MG novel that takes it on. It could have gone in a lot of directions, and I don't think it'll please everyone (nor would it have been possible to do so), but it's both honest and respectful as well as a good story with a compelling conflict.
February 6, 2011
as an author myself, I try not to say too much about the books of friends' that I read. Which this is. Suffice it to say this is a little GEM of a book about identity and acceptance, and the strength it takes to be ourselves and embrace who we are.
Read
May 14, 2011Nothing what I expected! This is a solid read about a young teen's search for identity, and learning that the ends don't always justify the means. Though the overall subject is serious, the story is presented with a great deal of humor and self-depreciation. I really enjoyed this one!
June 6, 2011
Oy! So funny and smart!!! Interesting topic broached thoughtfully but runs deep while entertaining - never preaches.
May 1, 2011
Sat down and finished this last night. Read 200 hundred pages in one sitting. Review to come.
June 22, 2011
Cute, funny, good message.
February 11, 2016
good "tween" book
May 27, 2012
OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy is one of those books that could easily be someone's favorite. It's cover is cute, entertaining and appealing to tweens (it's target audience) and its title is fantastic. It's insides are just as appealing, a speech and debater (seriously, first book I've read about one of my favorite extra-curriculars) who is Jewish must hide her identity to attend an all Christian speech and debate camp. It tackles the issues of race and religion and honesty...or does it?
And, that's were this book kind of leaves me, well, a little peeved. Ellie has been raised by her Jewish family and although she is raised Jewish, she doesn't question it, until being Jewish means losing a scholarship to a prestigious, definitely Christian, high school. From the very beginning we see Ellie as a strong-willed girl and then we see this girl become less willful and, well, less truthful as the Christian camp progresses. She begins to hide her Jewish grandmother's cross and is embarrassed by her very Jewish Zeydeh (her eccentric grandfather).
I sort of understand why her parents would allow her to lie about her religious affiliation, if they would have protested too much she would have done it anyway, but they don't really talk to her about what it means to be Jewish or about what it means to be Christian. In this respect they seem like good-natured hippies and I bought that. But, if they're so good-natured why must Ellie be anything at all? In fact, it seems that all the Christians in this book are in some ways the villains of the piece...because of an incident long ago, Doris hates all Jewish people, so much so that she wants to punish them horribly and Ellie's Lutheran grandparents seem to be those crazy Christians who feel that their son 'dun did 'em wrong' by raising Ellie Jewish only. Her father talks to her a little bit about how he doesn't go to church because he feels spiritual in the great outdoors gardening and such, but she doesn't say much about where she feels most spiritual. And, why is Ellie only Jewish, just because her father leans towards wanting no religion that doesn't mean they shouldn't teach her all they know, instead of just assuming she will be?
The story itself is adorable and the characters are developed and believable. Ellie has never been challenged before and there are speech and debaters there who are better than her. The speech she gives at the end is poignant and would truly convince any kid waffling on either side of the issue to chose one...Ellie is two cultures, yet she must give up one to be the other. As a person of mixed heritage I find that, well, sad.
Hmmm...maybe that's the true problem I have with this book...the fact that Ellie chooses a side. I like the novel Kissing Kate because it gives us all the information and definitely tells us were the main character is leaning, but allows us to see it for ourselves. Lissa is still learning and questioning, therefore so must we. I like that ending. Teaching kids to question is the best part of teaching. I'm not sure this book does that.
I suppose if Jewish kids are reading this it is important for them to identify with Ellie and her family and then understand that being Jewish is their heritage and their identity. And, that would have worked had Ellie not been part Lutheran and if Ellie hadn't had family members (ie. her Lutheran grandparents) to talk to about their religion. She never does talk to them, by the way, she only goes to church once and the whole time she sees both she and Jesus as outsiders.
All of that being said, I think that OyMG is a great book for those middle grade kids who may see that Ellie is truly conflicted, to me that did come across very well.
And, that's were this book kind of leaves me, well, a little peeved. Ellie has been raised by her Jewish family and although she is raised Jewish, she doesn't question it, until being Jewish means losing a scholarship to a prestigious, definitely Christian, high school. From the very beginning we see Ellie as a strong-willed girl and then we see this girl become less willful and, well, less truthful as the Christian camp progresses. She begins to hide her Jewish grandmother's cross and is embarrassed by her very Jewish Zeydeh (her eccentric grandfather).
I sort of understand why her parents would allow her to lie about her religious affiliation, if they would have protested too much she would have done it anyway, but they don't really talk to her about what it means to be Jewish or about what it means to be Christian. In this respect they seem like good-natured hippies and I bought that. But, if they're so good-natured why must Ellie be anything at all? In fact, it seems that all the Christians in this book are in some ways the villains of the piece...because of an incident long ago, Doris hates all Jewish people, so much so that she wants to punish them horribly and Ellie's Lutheran grandparents seem to be those crazy Christians who feel that their son 'dun did 'em wrong' by raising Ellie Jewish only. Her father talks to her a little bit about how he doesn't go to church because he feels spiritual in the great outdoors gardening and such, but she doesn't say much about where she feels most spiritual. And, why is Ellie only Jewish, just because her father leans towards wanting no religion that doesn't mean they shouldn't teach her all they know, instead of just assuming she will be?
The story itself is adorable and the characters are developed and believable. Ellie has never been challenged before and there are speech and debaters there who are better than her. The speech she gives at the end is poignant and would truly convince any kid waffling on either side of the issue to chose one...Ellie is two cultures, yet she must give up one to be the other. As a person of mixed heritage I find that, well, sad.
Hmmm...maybe that's the true problem I have with this book...the fact that Ellie chooses a side. I like the novel Kissing Kate because it gives us all the information and definitely tells us were the main character is leaning, but allows us to see it for ourselves. Lissa is still learning and questioning, therefore so must we. I like that ending. Teaching kids to question is the best part of teaching. I'm not sure this book does that.
I suppose if Jewish kids are reading this it is important for them to identify with Ellie and her family and then understand that being Jewish is their heritage and their identity. And, that would have worked had Ellie not been part Lutheran and if Ellie hadn't had family members (ie. her Lutheran grandparents) to talk to about their religion. She never does talk to them, by the way, she only goes to church once and the whole time she sees both she and Jesus as outsiders.
All of that being said, I think that OyMG is a great book for those middle grade kids who may see that Ellie is truly conflicted, to me that did come across very well.
August 30, 2014
Fourteen-year-old Ellie Taylor loves to argue, and did so well as a member of her junior high debate team. Now headed to high school, Ellie has her sights set on Benedict’s High, home of a prestigious debate team that could pave Ellie’s way to college. However, Benedict’s is a private school, and the only way Ellie will be able to attend is by earning a scholarship at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp. Ellie doesn’t think her Jewish heritage will be a problem, but it’s not long before she has to make big decisions about who she is and lengths she’s willing to go to in order to obtain her dream. And she has to do it all while figuring out how to handle her first real crush.
The stand-out feature of this book is Ellie’s voice. She’s smart, funny, and just sassy enough. She’s also insecure and confused. She’s instantly likeable and authentic. She displays the egotistical view of the world, but also has a soft spot for her family. This causes some good struggle and conflict as Ellie figures out how her selfishness can affect those around her.
I enjoyed the debates Ellie had with the adults in her life about religion and identity. (Since her mother is Jewish and her father is Lutheran, Ellie has to figure out which path to follow. Her discussions about the issue raise good points without taking sides.
I was also really interested in hearing the arguments the racist made to defend the behavior. Though eloquent and heartfelt, it’s clear that these debates are being raised by someone who’s not seeing the big picture. I think it’s important to understand how a person can embrace something like racist views and still consider him or herself a good person. These scenes, though uncomfortable to read, can open some meaningful conversations for the reader.
I went back and forth between thinking Ellie’s grandfather, who she calls Zeydeh, charming and thinking he was acting like a moody teenager with a point to prove. Their relationship is rich with love and angst, making their interactions complex.
There was some emotional manipulation at times in the book—a boy-who-cried-wolf kind of situation that got old fairly quickly.
The book has gotten some bad reviews for its portrayal of Christians. While the racist character is aligned with the Christian school, there are plenty of other Christian characters who do not share those views, and they say so specifically. I didn’t see it as a religion acting badly, but as an ignorant individual acting badly. And when this character explains the reasons behind the racism, it has nothing to do with religion. So I think some people really need to chill out. No Christians were harmed in the reading of this book.
I’m not sure how much a middle grade boy would appreciate this title, but I’m sure Ellie will appeal to plenty of girls.
• Mild language, a Yiddish swear that is the equivalent of moderate swearing
• Zeydah explains to young Ellie in a flashback that a dog didn’t have two tails like she thought, but a tail and a penis. I hesitate to even call this gross humor, but some parents or educators might find the mention inappropriate.
• No drugs or alcohol
The stand-out feature of this book is Ellie’s voice. She’s smart, funny, and just sassy enough. She’s also insecure and confused. She’s instantly likeable and authentic. She displays the egotistical view of the world, but also has a soft spot for her family. This causes some good struggle and conflict as Ellie figures out how her selfishness can affect those around her.
I enjoyed the debates Ellie had with the adults in her life about religion and identity. (Since her mother is Jewish and her father is Lutheran, Ellie has to figure out which path to follow. Her discussions about the issue raise good points without taking sides.
I was also really interested in hearing the arguments the racist made to defend the behavior. Though eloquent and heartfelt, it’s clear that these debates are being raised by someone who’s not seeing the big picture. I think it’s important to understand how a person can embrace something like racist views and still consider him or herself a good person. These scenes, though uncomfortable to read, can open some meaningful conversations for the reader.
I went back and forth between thinking Ellie’s grandfather, who she calls Zeydeh, charming and thinking he was acting like a moody teenager with a point to prove. Their relationship is rich with love and angst, making their interactions complex.
There was some emotional manipulation at times in the book—a boy-who-cried-wolf kind of situation that got old fairly quickly.
The book has gotten some bad reviews for its portrayal of Christians. While the racist character is aligned with the Christian school, there are plenty of other Christian characters who do not share those views, and they say so specifically. I didn’t see it as a religion acting badly, but as an ignorant individual acting badly. And when this character explains the reasons behind the racism, it has nothing to do with religion. So I think some people really need to chill out. No Christians were harmed in the reading of this book.
I’m not sure how much a middle grade boy would appreciate this title, but I’m sure Ellie will appeal to plenty of girls.
• Mild language, a Yiddish swear that is the equivalent of moderate swearing
• Zeydah explains to young Ellie in a flashback that a dog didn’t have two tails like she thought, but a tail and a penis. I hesitate to even call this gross humor, but some parents or educators might find the mention inappropriate.
• No drugs or alcohol
July 31, 2012
I was lucky enough to win an autographed copy of OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy back in April 2012 on the YA Reads for Teachers (And Any Other Adults!) Goodreads group. I was so excited to receive the book and join in the discussion on Goodreads, but alas the last third of the book waited for my summer break to finally see me complete this charming YA novel. Well, having just completed OyMG, I wanted to share my thoughts.
OyMG is the story of a young teenager, Ellie Taylor. Ellie is a born arguer, and she has par-laid this talent into becoming a successful debater. However, Ellie has just finished middle school, and wants to attend the private and ultra-exclusive Benedict High School, which is known for having the best debate team around. Not having the money to attend, there is only one way Ellie can make her dream reality, and that is to win the scholarship that is offered at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp that is held at the school. The one fly in the ointment is that Ellie has been raised in the Jewish faith, although her father is Christian, her family embraces her mother's Jewish heritage. How will she handle the problems that arise at camp?
I'll jump right in, the concept of uniqueness is one that has always intrigued me. OyMG addresses this theme in a big way. In movies we see memorable characters that are unique and different, and we love them. However, movies are not reality and even though these unique characters are placed on a pedestal and admired for their unconventional, unexpected, and unorthodox qualities-think Amelie-this is not the way of the real world. I guess the question I keep asking myself is does the majority of society really value this type of person? We tell children that everyone is unique and that this is something to be valued, but yet "sameness" and conformity is often what is expected, and ultimately more valued, especially at school. I don't want to explore why this is true, but rather state that it is and relate it to the novel.
The main character, Ellie Taylor, is faced with having lived her life as someone who is unique-different, but when her dream of attending an exclusive private school forces her to deny who she is, she is quick to conform. All the while, telling herself she still is the person she always has been, and this conformity is just a means-to-an-end. In other words, Ellie lies to herself. Ellie is lucky enough to have her parents and her grandfather in her life, each try to help her see that by denying who she is, she is selling out, and this choice has consequences. One of the consequences is that Ellie will never be the person she once was if she denies her heritage/race and her beliefs.
I truly enjoyed following Ellie's progress through the novel. It is an easy read, geared more to tweens, in my opinion. The main characters are believable. One of the most flushed out characters in the novel is Ellie's Jewish grandfather, Zeydeh, who truly helps Ellie value and accept herself-just as she is. The wealthy antisemitic antagonist is painted in a manner that helps teenagers see how someone can appear ever so nice on the surface, but harbor deep seeded prejudices. Throughout the arc of the story, young people learn that discriminators don't look different; it is their actions that make them appear ugly, and this is what sets them apart.
OyMG is the story of a young teenager, Ellie Taylor. Ellie is a born arguer, and she has par-laid this talent into becoming a successful debater. However, Ellie has just finished middle school, and wants to attend the private and ultra-exclusive Benedict High School, which is known for having the best debate team around. Not having the money to attend, there is only one way Ellie can make her dream reality, and that is to win the scholarship that is offered at the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp that is held at the school. The one fly in the ointment is that Ellie has been raised in the Jewish faith, although her father is Christian, her family embraces her mother's Jewish heritage. How will she handle the problems that arise at camp?
I'll jump right in, the concept of uniqueness is one that has always intrigued me. OyMG addresses this theme in a big way. In movies we see memorable characters that are unique and different, and we love them. However, movies are not reality and even though these unique characters are placed on a pedestal and admired for their unconventional, unexpected, and unorthodox qualities-think Amelie-this is not the way of the real world. I guess the question I keep asking myself is does the majority of society really value this type of person? We tell children that everyone is unique and that this is something to be valued, but yet "sameness" and conformity is often what is expected, and ultimately more valued, especially at school. I don't want to explore why this is true, but rather state that it is and relate it to the novel.
The main character, Ellie Taylor, is faced with having lived her life as someone who is unique-different, but when her dream of attending an exclusive private school forces her to deny who she is, she is quick to conform. All the while, telling herself she still is the person she always has been, and this conformity is just a means-to-an-end. In other words, Ellie lies to herself. Ellie is lucky enough to have her parents and her grandfather in her life, each try to help her see that by denying who she is, she is selling out, and this choice has consequences. One of the consequences is that Ellie will never be the person she once was if she denies her heritage/race and her beliefs.
I truly enjoyed following Ellie's progress through the novel. It is an easy read, geared more to tweens, in my opinion. The main characters are believable. One of the most flushed out characters in the novel is Ellie's Jewish grandfather, Zeydeh, who truly helps Ellie value and accept herself-just as she is. The wealthy antisemitic antagonist is painted in a manner that helps teenagers see how someone can appear ever so nice on the surface, but harbor deep seeded prejudices. Throughout the arc of the story, young people learn that discriminators don't look different; it is their actions that make them appear ugly, and this is what sets them apart.
December 19, 2016
At the start of OyMG, a debut YA novel by Amy Fellner Dominy published this past May, Ellie Taylor enrolls in a Christian Speech and Performing Arts summer camp. She doesn't think it really matters that she is Jewish, since she'll be there to practice debate, not to develop new beliefs, but Ellie soon learns that the situation is a bit more complicated than that. The debaters at this camp are all competing for a scholarship to attend a local private school, and the administrator of the scholarship is the grandmother of one of Ellie's new camp friends, a boy named Devon. Devon thinks he's doing Ellie a favor when he warns her that his grandmother prefers to give the award to Christian kids, and Ellie doesn't hesitate more than a second, at first, to pose as a Protestant. This decision angers Zeydeh, her grandfather, however, and as the final speech of camp approaches, Ellie must decide if what she will gain - a scholarship - is worth what she would have to lose - her true identity.
I really wish more children's and YA books would talk about religion. Every time I read a book like this, whether it's from my religious background or not (this time it's not), I am mostly pleased with the way religion is treated. I'm skeptical, on the whole, of the way Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, and other faiths are treated by the media, but by and large YA authors really do a good job of portraying religion as a positive thing in their characters' lives, and not a scapegoat or an easy target for ridicule.
This book is no exception. Ellie's dilemma is a realistic one, and the discrimination she endures happens to real teens, whether it's on the basis of race, age, class, or religion. I love the way the author explores the various emotions Ellie experiences, and how she made me feel the suffocating, boxed-in feeling of having to choose between two almost equally important options - the dream scholarship, which will help her future, and the faith she believes and values. I was a little unsure of the depiction of Devon's grandmother. Certainly her attitudes were wrong, and those are attitudes still adopted by people in today's world, but at times, she felt a little too evil, and I wondered if that made her lose some credibility as a character. Overall, though, I found this book to be a really moving portrayal of a girl who struggles to do the right thing, and triumphs, but not easily, and not right away.
This is a good one for young teens, and raises a lot of important issues for discussion. It would make a nice read-alike for About the B'nai Bagels by E.L. Konigsburg, which also deals with anti-Semitism, as well as Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, and The God Box by Alex Sanchez, which also provide realistic and well-written depictions of religious belief in teens.
I really wish more children's and YA books would talk about religion. Every time I read a book like this, whether it's from my religious background or not (this time it's not), I am mostly pleased with the way religion is treated. I'm skeptical, on the whole, of the way Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, and other faiths are treated by the media, but by and large YA authors really do a good job of portraying religion as a positive thing in their characters' lives, and not a scapegoat or an easy target for ridicule.
This book is no exception. Ellie's dilemma is a realistic one, and the discrimination she endures happens to real teens, whether it's on the basis of race, age, class, or religion. I love the way the author explores the various emotions Ellie experiences, and how she made me feel the suffocating, boxed-in feeling of having to choose between two almost equally important options - the dream scholarship, which will help her future, and the faith she believes and values. I was a little unsure of the depiction of Devon's grandmother. Certainly her attitudes were wrong, and those are attitudes still adopted by people in today's world, but at times, she felt a little too evil, and I wondered if that made her lose some credibility as a character. Overall, though, I found this book to be a really moving portrayal of a girl who struggles to do the right thing, and triumphs, but not easily, and not right away.
This is a good one for young teens, and raises a lot of important issues for discussion. It would make a nice read-alike for About the B'nai Bagels by E.L. Konigsburg, which also deals with anti-Semitism, as well as Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, and The God Box by Alex Sanchez, which also provide realistic and well-written depictions of religious belief in teens.
August 12, 2011
What first interested me about Amy Fellner Dominy's book was its ties to speech and debate. I'll admit it. I was the girl in high school who joined the club, lived at mock trial, spent her days arguing for or against anything they asked me to! I loved the high stress atmosphere and the good natured competition that came along with it. So when I saw that OyMG was about Ellie's life as an orator, I knew I was in. Plain and simple. Little did I know that I'd be sucked in ever further. This book is so much more than it seems to be!
From the beginning I was drawn in by Ellie's wit and ability to talk her way through anything that came her way. She is the perfect mixture of sweet, sensible, and downright fierce when it comes to competition. I loved how she was so driven to accomplish her goal of getting into the school she wanted. Despite her age, Ellie knew what she wanted and she was going for it. I so respected her for that. Then when Devon comes on the scene, things get cute and I was even more invested. Ellie is my kind of girl!
However I was only in love with Ellie at that point. The story was fun and sweet, but that's all it felt like to me. An enjoyable read. Until the second half of the book that is. Enter Devon's grandmother and her antiquated views. Without spoiling anything, I'll let you know that she drove me mad. I know that is what Dominy intended, but wow. Anyhow Ellie's struggle from that point on is what really really made me like this book. I saw the two halves of her life at war. The portion of her that knows what is right, warring with the part of her that is so goal driven. It was amazing. To see that struggle down on paper made me smile, because there are so many people out there who need to know that prejudice still exists, even today.
Lest I let Ellie overshadow the other characters, I'll fully admit that they are all fantastic! By far Ellie's zeydeh (grandfather) was my absolute favorite. Spouting Yiddish sayings, keeping Ellie thinking about the "right" path, he was such a vivid character. I think people from all religions and backgrounds will find a little of their own grandfather in him, and I loved him for that. He definitely made this book that much more fun for me to read.
I really enjoyed reading OyMG. I can't put my finger on what kept it from being a five rating for me, it could be as simple as the time I read it. However I can say that it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend! Ellie's wit, her zeydeh's humor, a little bit of romance, it all blends into a book that is a fun and meaningful read. I say give it a shot! Ellie might argue her way right into your heart.
From the beginning I was drawn in by Ellie's wit and ability to talk her way through anything that came her way. She is the perfect mixture of sweet, sensible, and downright fierce when it comes to competition. I loved how she was so driven to accomplish her goal of getting into the school she wanted. Despite her age, Ellie knew what she wanted and she was going for it. I so respected her for that. Then when Devon comes on the scene, things get cute and I was even more invested. Ellie is my kind of girl!
However I was only in love with Ellie at that point. The story was fun and sweet, but that's all it felt like to me. An enjoyable read. Until the second half of the book that is. Enter Devon's grandmother and her antiquated views. Without spoiling anything, I'll let you know that she drove me mad. I know that is what Dominy intended, but wow. Anyhow Ellie's struggle from that point on is what really really made me like this book. I saw the two halves of her life at war. The portion of her that knows what is right, warring with the part of her that is so goal driven. It was amazing. To see that struggle down on paper made me smile, because there are so many people out there who need to know that prejudice still exists, even today.
Lest I let Ellie overshadow the other characters, I'll fully admit that they are all fantastic! By far Ellie's zeydeh (grandfather) was my absolute favorite. Spouting Yiddish sayings, keeping Ellie thinking about the "right" path, he was such a vivid character. I think people from all religions and backgrounds will find a little of their own grandfather in him, and I loved him for that. He definitely made this book that much more fun for me to read.
I really enjoyed reading OyMG. I can't put my finger on what kept it from being a five rating for me, it could be as simple as the time I read it. However I can say that it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend! Ellie's wit, her zeydeh's humor, a little bit of romance, it all blends into a book that is a fun and meaningful read. I say give it a shot! Ellie might argue her way right into your heart.
May 3, 2011
I always love books filled with heart, and just my luck, Amy Fellner Dominy’s OyMG fit that ticket perfectly, as not only was it heartfelt but it also contained memorable characters and a story nearly like no other.
For Ellie getting accepted into the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp is the start of something fabulous, because not only will she be doing the thing she loves most- debating- but she will also be competing for a scholarship to one of the best schools in the country. Camp starts great. Ellie’s with her best friend; she is making new friends, including one dreamy Devon; Doris Yeats, the person in charge of the scholarships, seems to think she is a sure winner for the spot. However, there is one problem: Doris seems to have a problem with Jewish people. For Ellie’s this is devastating because not only is she Jewish but she has always been proud of her heritage. Now she is left to decide whether she should hide her heritage and win Doris over, or withdraw from the completion. What will she choose? Moreover, will she get the boy in the end? Only time and more pages will tell in Amy’s pitch-perfect contemporary debut!
In OyMG, there were several great aspects, but my absolute favorite would have to be the characters, Ellie and her Zeydeh (grandfather in Yiddish) in particular. Intelligent, sweet, and witty, Ellie is a girl I feel many will be able to relate to, because of her qualms with faith but everyday life as well. On the other hand, Zeydeh brought the wit and heart to the story. I loved seeing his relationship with Ellie, as I feel it will resonate well with anyone who has been close to a grandparent before.
Moving on, the plot of this was also fabulous. When I first heard of OyMG, I was interested to see how Amy would go about the topic of faith in today’s world. I wondered if it would be too preachy, or barely there. Thankfully, Amy reached a point in between, because while it was not at all preachy, it still played an important and fascinating part of the story. I always found Ellie’s actions and feelings to ring true, and I especially loved how everything turned out. The subplots dealing with Ellie’s first love as well as her friendship were also done well.
Lastly, Amy’s writing was decent. She did a fantastic job of bringing the story of OyMG alive, and I cannot help but applaud her for writing an important and great religion read so to say.
Full of zeal and wit, OyMG is a book that will surely capture the attention of many YA fans. Hopefully one of them will be you.
Grade: A+
For Ellie getting accepted into the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp is the start of something fabulous, because not only will she be doing the thing she loves most- debating- but she will also be competing for a scholarship to one of the best schools in the country. Camp starts great. Ellie’s with her best friend; she is making new friends, including one dreamy Devon; Doris Yeats, the person in charge of the scholarships, seems to think she is a sure winner for the spot. However, there is one problem: Doris seems to have a problem with Jewish people. For Ellie’s this is devastating because not only is she Jewish but she has always been proud of her heritage. Now she is left to decide whether she should hide her heritage and win Doris over, or withdraw from the completion. What will she choose? Moreover, will she get the boy in the end? Only time and more pages will tell in Amy’s pitch-perfect contemporary debut!
In OyMG, there were several great aspects, but my absolute favorite would have to be the characters, Ellie and her Zeydeh (grandfather in Yiddish) in particular. Intelligent, sweet, and witty, Ellie is a girl I feel many will be able to relate to, because of her qualms with faith but everyday life as well. On the other hand, Zeydeh brought the wit and heart to the story. I loved seeing his relationship with Ellie, as I feel it will resonate well with anyone who has been close to a grandparent before.
Moving on, the plot of this was also fabulous. When I first heard of OyMG, I was interested to see how Amy would go about the topic of faith in today’s world. I wondered if it would be too preachy, or barely there. Thankfully, Amy reached a point in between, because while it was not at all preachy, it still played an important and fascinating part of the story. I always found Ellie’s actions and feelings to ring true, and I especially loved how everything turned out. The subplots dealing with Ellie’s first love as well as her friendship were also done well.
Lastly, Amy’s writing was decent. She did a fantastic job of bringing the story of OyMG alive, and I cannot help but applaud her for writing an important and great religion read so to say.
Full of zeal and wit, OyMG is a book that will surely capture the attention of many YA fans. Hopefully one of them will be you.
Grade: A+
April 27, 2011
Posted on: http://www.cynthial11.blogspot.com/
I love it when I go into a book without really knowing what to expect, thinking it might not be for me to just be proven completely wrong and end up loving it. That's how I felt about OyMG, I have to be honest and say that the cover is what made me judge it before reading it, I think it's cute don't get me wrong, but I didn't think it was for me. I thought it would be more middle grade than YA and more cutesy fluffy light read which it wasn't at all. Yes, it's fun, definitely! It has its cute moments and made me giggle several times and smile through most of it but it also includes serious topics that are discrimination and stereotyping, but written in a way that is so well done that it doesn't feel like a heavy read but it still leaves its mark on you.
Ellie was such a fun character to read and connect with, I definitely loved her from the start. She was stubborn and smart, ambitious, competitive and always willing to speak her mind which was one of her best qualities, until she goes to camp and starts doubting her true self, her beliefs and who she really wants to be. I went into reading OyMG thinking it would be just a lighthearted read but was instead blown away by its dynamic set of characters, the depth of the story and how well and easy flowing the writing was. I literally immersed myself into Ellie's life that during the intense and wonderful scenes of love and courage I felt my heart warming and melting for her and her wonderful family, which by the way were one of the best I've read in YA.
Closer to the end of the book I was so caught up in the story that I got all teary-eyed and felt extremely proud of Ellie for the choices that she ends up making. I loved all the questions and doubts that the author brings out in Ellie, what is right and what is wrong? Is it right to overlook discrimination because it will get you where you want to be? Should you stand up for your beliefs even if it means you'll lose something you've been working so hard for? I loved all the heavy topics this story brings out and that it's all perfectly woven in this story that doesn't make it an intense read but an enjoyable one that leaves you with a great message at the end. OyMG was a wonderful book with well written characters that you'll easily fall in love with and a great plot without the heaviness but with hints of lightness and humor that makes it an all-around smart and fun read. I definitely recommend this one to everyone, from middle grade age to teens and adults, it's a book that anyone can enjoy.
I love it when I go into a book without really knowing what to expect, thinking it might not be for me to just be proven completely wrong and end up loving it. That's how I felt about OyMG, I have to be honest and say that the cover is what made me judge it before reading it, I think it's cute don't get me wrong, but I didn't think it was for me. I thought it would be more middle grade than YA and more cutesy fluffy light read which it wasn't at all. Yes, it's fun, definitely! It has its cute moments and made me giggle several times and smile through most of it but it also includes serious topics that are discrimination and stereotyping, but written in a way that is so well done that it doesn't feel like a heavy read but it still leaves its mark on you.
Ellie was such a fun character to read and connect with, I definitely loved her from the start. She was stubborn and smart, ambitious, competitive and always willing to speak her mind which was one of her best qualities, until she goes to camp and starts doubting her true self, her beliefs and who she really wants to be. I went into reading OyMG thinking it would be just a lighthearted read but was instead blown away by its dynamic set of characters, the depth of the story and how well and easy flowing the writing was. I literally immersed myself into Ellie's life that during the intense and wonderful scenes of love and courage I felt my heart warming and melting for her and her wonderful family, which by the way were one of the best I've read in YA.
Closer to the end of the book I was so caught up in the story that I got all teary-eyed and felt extremely proud of Ellie for the choices that she ends up making. I loved all the questions and doubts that the author brings out in Ellie, what is right and what is wrong? Is it right to overlook discrimination because it will get you where you want to be? Should you stand up for your beliefs even if it means you'll lose something you've been working so hard for? I loved all the heavy topics this story brings out and that it's all perfectly woven in this story that doesn't make it an intense read but an enjoyable one that leaves you with a great message at the end. OyMG was a wonderful book with well written characters that you'll easily fall in love with and a great plot without the heaviness but with hints of lightness and humor that makes it an all-around smart and fun read. I definitely recommend this one to everyone, from middle grade age to teens and adults, it's a book that anyone can enjoy.
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