(2) K-3 Illustrated by Omer Hoffmann. Cousins Noah and Nora live on “opposite sides of the world,” with Noah in New York and Nora in Aotearoa New Zealand. During Hanukkah, they compete to determine whose celebration is better: “Hanukkah’s­ awesome in winter.” “Maybe...but it’s awesomer in summer.” Over the course of the eight nights, readers learn some details about the holiday’s rituals and about each of the settings. “Noah slid on his skates. Nora surfed to the shore. But on the seventh night of Hanukkah, they both spun sevivon -- and won gelt for gimel!” Digitally assembled pencil, charcoal, and brush and ink illustrations play up the humor (e.g., in the example above, both cousins have wiped out) and the friendly -- and futile -- competition.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(4) 4-6 In the follow-up to Nerd Camp, stepbrothers Zack (a cool kid) and Gabe (a nerd) are excited about their separate summer sleepaway camps, but when circumstances force them both to attend the same one, sparks fly. While the stereotypical labels initially detract from in-depth character building, the novel evolves into a touching and believable story about the challenges of balancing family with friendship.

Reviewer: Rebecca Kirshenbaum

(3) 4-6 The stock market is an unusual topic for a light middle-grade novel, but it largely pays off here. While twelve-year-old Lindy is laid up with mono, her dad teaches her about online trading. She's soon hooked and tempted to take bigger risks with money that's not her own. The finer points of high finance are explored less than are the risks of gambling.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) 4-6 Gabe realizes his cool stepbrother-to-be, Zack, won't be impressed by Gabe's enrollment in "Nerd Camp." As the six weeks of camp go along, Gabe creates a chart of "Things I Can Tell Zack" and "Things I Can't Tell Zack." Weissman gets the small details just right, and the relationships--and Gabe's stories--come to a satisfying and reasonably realistic conclusion.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2011

(4) 4-6 Fara becomes a local celebrity after accidentally mismatching her socks. She realizes fame could bring attention to issues she cares about, such as the environment. However, as Fara runs for student council she realizes she's popular for her socks, not her ideas. Though the story is message-y, Weissman's colorful cast of characters and sense of humor make for a lively read.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(2) 4-6 Mark Geoffrey Hopper is a mean-spirited, superior smarty-pants. Shy, nice Mark Geoffrey Hopper has just moved to town. Some of the novel's humor comes from confusion over the boys' identities, but much of the story involves the two Marks figuring out how to deal with each other. Realistic school interactions give Weissman's novel a lot of kid appeal with substance.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009