Customer Reviews

Goy Crazy

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High school sophomore Rachel Lowenstein has a crush. A "crush" in itself provides sufficient drama for most successful YA novels. But author Melissa Schorr adds a little twist: Rachel is Jewish . . . and the object of her affection is not.
Although this detail sets Goy Crazy apart from most chick lit, Goy Crazy's themes are completely universal and applicable to all readers. The fundamental choices Rachel faces would be the same no matter what faiths or ethnicities the protagonists are--her journey confirms that basic human character and morality, rather than the labels and rituals of religion, are what's important when forging relationships.
As a bonus, Goy Crazy serves as a delightful insight into contemporary Judaism vis-à-vis Rachel's quirky family and friends, and it dips into such serious areas as anti-Semitism and intermarriage without being preachy or controversial. Indeed, this novel manages to be a breezy, hysterical read without compromising the seriousness of the lessons Rachel learns. It's touching, but never "touchy."
Goy Crazy, like most good teen lit, has the obligatory school dance scenes, ailing grandparents, and "does he or doesn't he?" girly telephone conversations, but nothing about these YA hallmarks feels "obligatory." The plot's so adeptly crafted, the words are so well chosen, and Rachel's voice is so original, that when I reached the last sentence I felt a lot sadder than I normally do when I finish a damn good book--I wanted more more more! Today's teens are lucky to have Melissa Schorr writing for them, and they, like me, will be anxiously awaiting her next opus.

This book totally cracked me up! It is modern, witty and funny. The characters are easy to relate to and at times I even felt like Rachel, the main character. Although the book touches on religious social issues, it is not "preachy" and it leaves it to the readers to make their own judgements about Rachel's predicament. This would be a great gift for a girl having a bat mitzvah or for any teenage girl for that matter!

I read this book when it first came out and liked it so much that I reached out to Melissa Schorr to let her know how much I identified with Rachel's experiences in the novel. She was kind enough to invite me to a party for the book at Katz's Deli, where I got to meet her and her family and friends. So not only is Goy Crazy a great teen novel, but its author is a female mensch (and why is there no Yiddish word for that?)!

In reading Goy Crazy, I felt like I was being pulled back to my own high school/Hebrew school days. The dilemmas that Rachel faces rang true to my own experience growing up in mostly Jewish suburbia. The book is hilarious, but its authenticity was what made it stand out for me. To be a Jewish teen in modern America has its own quirks and nuances that Goy Crazy articulates particularly well. The pressure Rachel faces to date the right kind of boy (aka "Jewish") and her desire to rebel despite the strength of her beliefs are all too familiar. I still feel it well into my twenties. This tweaking of the teen novel is is part of what makes Goy Crazy special, but I believe that this book can resonate with many minority populations in the melting pot, or anyone who feels a little different, as they grapple with their religious and cultural identity as well as their coming of age.

While at temple for Rosh Hashanah (one of the two times a year that her family actually makes it to temple), 15-year-old Rachel Lowenstein has an epiphany. If she's going to be forgiven once a year by praying and repenting, then what's stopping her from committing a few little sins, just like everyone else? Heck, maybe a bit more sin is just what she needs to perk up her infuriatingly dull life. Sophomore year is already off to a bad start--with her parents as overprotective as ever, her best friend now hanging out with the So Very crowd, and Mr. Demented Diamenties sticking her in the back row of math class, which had always been Rachel's best subject. Maybe it's time to try something different, and see if her life doesn't improve by breaking a few of the old rules, and making some new ones of her own.

The first, and most important, of those is to somehow snag the most bussable busboy that Rachel meets at her brother's bar mitzvah--the very blond haired and blue eyed Luke Christianson.

An attendee of St. Joseph's, Luke is definitely one goy that Rachel is sure her parents would never approve of. Her folks would much rather see her end up with a nice, predictable Jewish boy, like her neighbor, Howard Goldstein (who's been a total jerk since the sixth grade). Rachel's grandmother has always warned her to "never go with the goyim," but Rachel is just dying for a little excitement...and a little bit of Luke. The first step is to find out if he even remembers who she is...

Told with a breezy style, light-hearted honesty, and a keen eye for the hilarious, Schorr brings to life a heroine who takes realistic steps to find what she really wants. I truly enjoyed reading this successful first novel, and this is one author from whom I'll be watching for more YA in years to come.

For Rachel Lowenstein, the highlight of her brother's bar mitzvah was meeting a waiter named Luke. He's sweet, he's cute, he's her age - but he's not Jewish. In fact, his last name is Christensen and he goes to St. Joseph's Prep. She doesn't mind that he's not Jewish, and her friends probably wouldn't either, but Rachel is concerned that her parents might. It's really her grandmother's words that haunt her, accent and all: "Rachel, find a nice Jewish boy to marry. Don't go vith the goyim."

Rachel doesn't want to shake things up too much, but she doesn't want to ignore her feelings either. She decides to see Luke in secret. Never to fear: this is no Romeo and Juliet tragedy, but rather a light romantic comedy. While Rachel tries to figure out who she loves, she's also trying to sort out what she believes and who she is. Her little slip-ups along the way only make her more endearing to readers -- and to the boy next door, Howard Goldstein.

GOY CRAZY is a humorous, sweet story with a lovable main character and a delightful cast of characters. Rachel has two close friends who are extremely different: Jen, a social butterfly who goes to Rachel's school, and Leah, a reserved girl whose family goes to temple with Rachel's. There's Luke, of course, who is a basketball star, and Howard, the guy she's known forever and disliked just as long. Rachel's parents are kind and cautious, and her grandmother, Bubbe, has a remarkable presence. Rachel is never funnier than when she drafts - then breaks - the Teen Commandments, which include "Thou shalt not begrudge thy best friend's social success" and "Thou shalt not kill thy little brother."

Early teens who can't wait to be in high school as well as older teens who are currently stuck there should pick this book up. It is long enough to appeal to "serious" readers and the cover and plot are bound to catch the eyes of hopeless (hopeful!) romantics. Young girls will relate to Rachel's torn feelings, while adults who are kids-at-heart will remember their own high school dating experiences. Interfaith dating is not often addressed in teen novels, and Melissa Schorr clearly and gently addresses it, stamps it, and sends it with a smile. A notable debut.

All a girl wants to do is find the love of her life, or in this case a high school sweetheart. Fortunately for Rachel Lowenstein, she has just found the guy at her brother's bar mitzvah. He's handsome, a basketball player, and his name is Luke Christiansen. Which is the only problem she has with Luke--his last name. All Rachel hears from her grandmother and family is how she should find a respectable Jewish boy to date and marry. But crushing on Luke may not be the best choice for Rachel since he is far from being Jewish; he celebrates Christmas! So Rachel decides that she is tired of all the problems that she faces, from bad hair to having hardly any friends, and makes up her own teen commandments, which she occasionally changes, and which she hopes to break.

So Rachel begins to change the way she does things. She starts acting dumb in math class, lies to her family, and tries her best to keep Luke a secret. Besides that, Rachel also has to deal with her only best friend, Jen, who is trying to get into the popular crowd; Leah, her only other real friend who keeps on warning Rachel about her wrongdoings; and Howard,
Rachel's neighbor turned enemy.

Yet Rachel starts to second-guess her decisions and wonders if they are really worth all the lies and deception when the ultimate tragedy happens to her. Is Luke really the guy for her; is acting dumb in math class worth the "popular" points? Rachel ends up discovering her true self and sees that change just isn't for her.

GOY CRAZY is sweet, tragic, and laugh-out-loud hilarious. With her first teen novel, Ms. Schorr successfully makes her main character understandable, relatable, and, above all, realistic. By the end of the novel, readers will be glad about Rachel's final decisions, yet sad that the novel is over. GOY CRAZY was a fantastic read that left me wanting more. I just hope there will be a follow-up to this novel.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

although the book was witty and well written the whole point of the book is to see if Rachel decides to abide by her religion or to follow her heart, but the ending of the book just finds a way to skip the answer of her question!! (SPOIL ALERT!!!) The whole point was that she either chooses the Jewish boy or the non-Jewish one that she like, but when she realizes she like the Jewish boy just finds an easy way to answer her problem.... disappointed by the ending.

Fifteen-year-old Rachel Lowenstein is determined to break free from her "good-girl ways" as she enters her sophomore year of high school in New York City. Her best friend at school has joined the ranks of the popular crowd, and her geeky next door neighbor, Howard, just got his drivers license and has become the star of the school's track team. To make things worse, he's now dating one of the most popular--and wealthiest--girls at their public school. Rachel vows to bring a little excitement into her own life, and her first step is to find a boyfriend. She falls fast and hard for Luke Christiansen, a cute basketball player from St. Joseph's Prep, whom she meets by chance at her brother's Bar Mitzvah. But as she and Luke begin spending more time together, Rachel is unsure she should pursue a boy she is certain her parents will not approve of. Readers will relate to Rachel as she wrestles with questions of family, faith, and love, and as she struggles to remain true to herself amid pressures from both her family and her peers. Fast paced, and full of witty dialogue and pop-culture references, Goy Crazy is an engaging novel that will resonate with teen girls.
Ages 14 and up.
Reviewed by Alison Kelly

Rachel Lowenstein has always been a good Jewish girl. So when she first spots Luke Christiansen, Catholic schoolboy, she stays away from him, although she describes him as a "blond Adonis." Later on, she realizes that her life is truly boring and maybe what she needs to spice it up is a little sin. Her first plan of action: get Luke. After several planned "just-passing-by" incidents, she is successful, and Luke invites her to a party. At first, Rachel is thrilled to be the subject of Luke's affections, but sneaking out to meet him, using her neighbor Howard as a cover-up date, and lying to her incredibly overbearing parents causes more stress than the former good girl expects. This, coupled with the fact that Luke really is not a good kisser, cause her to break it off. Maybe (gasp!) her parents were right? But where to find a good Jewish boy that is just as attractive as Luke, and a much better kisser? This novel has a plot that many girls can relate to, Jewish or Goy: liking someone who your parents don't. The Goy characters are slightly flat, but that just helps to prove the point of the story. Rachel's lessons learned can also be predicted, but overall this is a fun, entertaining read.

A beautiful book that handles subjects that are universally important to teens, parents and grandparents with thoughtfulness, humor, subtle wisdom and with an entertaining and contemporary flare. Well written and just kept getting better and better with every page. A definite buy for my two granddaughters for Chanukah.