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nigelthotberry's review
5.0
I think my favorite quote from this book is from Birdie. “Do not use my children to impress your friends.” Pg.231
This book as definitely earned a place among my favorite books, It really blew me away. But I really wish there had been more resolution in the end. I feel like, if the bombing had come earlier, then Ruth would’ve had more time to look into herself, and there would’ve been more closure, and things would’ve wrapped up neater. I was a little disappointed that the last five chapters were what you’d think was the climax, the bombing, and thinking now I can’t really recall what the climax could’ve been of not the bombing. But then why have to happen so late in the book? But it is what it is, and I still love it immensely.
That, was my only grievance with the book. While Ruth did annoy me a little, her character growth really shines through. She goes from not wanting to go to Temple, to feeling at home there, and helping clean it up when it’s vandalized. She’s growing, and trying to understand the issues around her, but she’s still bumbling through like the teenager she is. She makes some mistakes in her journey to understand, but she realizes them. I loved her mother, and Mr. Hank. Nattie was always fun to hear from, and I wish Max were featured more throughout, but what we got of him were some very important pieces to Ruth’s growth.
This book as definitely earned a place among my favorite books, It really blew me away. But I really wish there had been more resolution in the end. I feel like, if the bombing had come earlier, then Ruth would’ve had more time to look into herself, and there would’ve been more closure, and things would’ve wrapped up neater. I was a little disappointed that the last five chapters were what you’d think was the climax, the bombing, and thinking now I can’t really recall what the climax could’ve been of not the bombing. But then why have to happen so late in the book? But it is what it is, and I still love it immensely.
That, was my only grievance with the book. While Ruth did annoy me a little, her character growth really shines through. She goes from not wanting to go to Temple, to feeling at home there, and helping clean it up when it’s vandalized. She’s growing, and trying to understand the issues around her, but she’s still bumbling through like the teenager she is. She makes some mistakes in her journey to understand, but she realizes them. I loved her mother, and Mr. Hank. Nattie was always fun to hear from, and I wish Max were featured more throughout, but what we got of him were some very important pieces to Ruth’s growth.
daniellereadslikealot_'s review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loosely based on the 1958 Atlanta temple bombing, In the Neighborhood of True is a beautiful coming of age story with strong themes of family, religion and being true to who you are. Ruth was certainly a compelling and relatable narrator. Her conflicting feelings of wanting to fit in among the popular southern belles and her love for her Jewish heritage was so well written. I loved reading from her POV and seeing her internal struggle between who she thinks she should be and who she is. I also loved her relationships with her family, especially her mom and her grandfather. My only complaint was the pacing. I felt like the bombing happened very late in the book and after that, the rest of the story was wrapped up too quickly. I would have liked a little more time for the trial and to see more of the aftermath of what happened, especially with the other girls and Davis. However, I still think that this is such a powerful story of identity, family and resilience and I’m so glad I read it.
CW: death of a parent, antisemitism, racism, hate crimes
imablondie123's review
2.0
If you've never read a YA historical fiction where a teenage girl who is somehow Different From Other Girls has a crush on a privileged white guy who initially seems charming, eventually realizes he is a stuck-up racist, takes an interest in the off-beat, minority, unconventionally handsome guy, and realizes that instead of fitting in, she just needs to be true to her beliefs and cultural identity, then you might enjoy this book for it's interesting historical setting and decent characters. But if you've already read any of the other 2 million books that match this description, don't bother with In the Neighborhood of True.
jordan22105's review
4.0
The ending felt a little rushed, but other than that I loved it. It could just be the arc copy, but.
justme17021212010524's review
4.0
FULL REVIEW: https://sumaiyaahmed.com/2020/07/07/in-the-neighborhood-of-true/
I’ve not come across many books with Jewish protagonists, so it was refreshing to find this book. When Kelly emailed me about writing a review on it, I jumped at the chance, more so since it completely related to the events currently unfolding. The book is about a biracial Jewish girl, Ruth, who moves to the South from the North in 1958, and conceals her religion to be able to fit in with her white peers.
It is worth mentioning that she is white-passing too, with suntanned skin. Though, in a place surrounded by blonde or light brown hair, and being the only girl with black hair, she does stand out.
I’ve not come across many books with Jewish protagonists, so it was refreshing to find this book. When Kelly emailed me about writing a review on it, I jumped at the chance, more so since it completely related to the events currently unfolding. The book is about a biracial Jewish girl, Ruth, who moves to the South from the North in 1958, and conceals her religion to be able to fit in with her white peers.
It is worth mentioning that she is white-passing too, with suntanned skin. Though, in a place surrounded by blonde or light brown hair, and being the only girl with black hair, she does stand out.
aliena_jackson's review
3.0
Cute, I suppose, but I feel like the more serious issues in the book were overshadowed by Ruth's shallowness and her desire to be popular.
ladytiara's review
4.0
It’s 1959, and Ruth Robb is a Jewish teen from New York who moves to Atlanta to live with her mother’s family after her father’s sudden death. She enters a rarefied world of debutante dances and country clubs, and her socialite (and Christian) grandmother encourages her to keep her religion a secret to fit in. Ruth embraces her new life, dating a handsome good old boy, but she can’t ignore the harsh realities of life in the south under Jim Crow. She attends the synagogue every Saturday, and the rabbi is promoting the civil rights movement. She meets a young Jewish man who’s fighting the good fight, and she has to decide who she wants to be.
In the Neighborhood of True is a great book. Ruth is a really well-written, multifaceted character. She wants to do the right thing, but she also wants to be crowned queen at a debutante dance. She has a lot of conflicting emotions, and she feels very real to me.
The portrayal of life in the Deep South at the beginning of the civil rights movement is fascinating. The veneer of pretty dresses and debutante dances is hiding a lot of ugly truths. The KKK is terrorizing Black people (and the Klan is also anti-Semitic), Ruth’s private school was formed by parents who didn’t want to send their children to segregated public schools, and Ruth wouldn’t be allowed into any of the fancy country club events if anyone knew she was Jewish. There’s a lengthy author’s note at the end of the book that provides more historical context and gives the author’s reasons for writing the book.
This is an excellent coming of age story, and the time and place it’s set in give the story extra resonance. Figuring out who you want to and what you stand for is such a big part of being a teen, and this book really captures that. It also feels timely right now as we as a nation are facing a reckoning on systemic racism and the many ways that our society is built against Black people. I highly recommend this book.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
In the Neighborhood of True is a great book. Ruth is a really well-written, multifaceted character. She wants to do the right thing, but she also wants to be crowned queen at a debutante dance. She has a lot of conflicting emotions, and she feels very real to me.
The portrayal of life in the Deep South at the beginning of the civil rights movement is fascinating. The veneer of pretty dresses and debutante dances is hiding a lot of ugly truths. The KKK is terrorizing Black people (and the Klan is also anti-Semitic), Ruth’s private school was formed by parents who didn’t want to send their children to segregated public schools, and Ruth wouldn’t be allowed into any of the fancy country club events if anyone knew she was Jewish. There’s a lengthy author’s note at the end of the book that provides more historical context and gives the author’s reasons for writing the book.
This is an excellent coming of age story, and the time and place it’s set in give the story extra resonance. Figuring out who you want to and what you stand for is such a big part of being a teen, and this book really captures that. It also feels timely right now as we as a nation are facing a reckoning on systemic racism and the many ways that our society is built against Black people. I highly recommend this book.
I received a review copy from the publisher.