Read In the Neighborhood of True Susan Kaplan Carlton Books

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A powerful story of love, identity, and the price of fitting in or speaking out.

“The story may be set in the past, but it couldn’t be a more timely reminder that true courage comes not from fitting in, but from purposefully standing out . . . and that to find out who you really are, you have to first figure out what you’re not.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things

After her father’s death, Ruth Robb and her family transplant themselves in the summer of 1958 from New York City to Atlanta—the land of debutantes, sweet tea, and the Ku Klux Klan. In her new hometown, Ruth quickly figures out she can be Jewish or she can be popular, but she can’t be both. Eager to fit in with the blond girls in the “pastel posse,” Ruth decides to hide her religion. Before she knows it, she is falling for the handsome and charming Davis and sipping Cokes with him and his friends at the all-white, all-Christian Club.
 
Does it matter that Ruth’s mother makes her attend services at the local synagogue every week? Not as long as nobody outside her family knows the truth. At temple Ruth meets Max, who is serious and intense about the fight for social justice, and now she is caught between two worlds, two religions, and two boys. But when a violent hate crime brings the different parts of Ruth’s life into sharp conflict, she will have to choose between all she’s come to love about her new life and standing up for what she believes.
 

Read In the Neighborhood of True Susan Kaplan Carlton Books

"Overall this was a quick and entertaining read. However, there were many parts that were not believable and shallow. Unnatural, quickly intense and unrealistic relationship between the main character and her beau. They hardly knew each other and didn’t have any deep or meaningful conversations, yet they spoke about marriage in their future. Huh?? And the political messages in the book felt forced into the storyline. There were parts that I enjoyed in the writing style, but overall I found it to be very poorly executed."

Product details Hardcover 320 pages Publisher Algonquin Young Readers (April 9, 2019) Language English ISBN-10 1616208600

Tags : In the Neighborhood of True (9781616208608) Susan Kaplan Carlton Books,Susan Kaplan Carlton,In the Neighborhood of True,Algonquin Young Readers,1616208600,Antisemitism,Antisemitism;Fiction.,Atlanta (Ga.) - History - 20th century,Hate crimes,Hate crimes;Fiction.,High school students,Historical fiction,Jews - United States,Jews;United States;Fiction.,50’s; 50s; books set in the 50s; 50s YA; Teen Books in the 50s; antisemitism; romance; high school; high school romance; social justice; racism; terrorists; coming of age; YA coming of age books; books about moving; popularity; HS Romance; secrets; atlanta; religion; hate crime; Judaism; romantic YA books; own voices; #ownvoices; own-voices; anti-semitism,50's;50s;books set in the 50s;50s YA;Teen Books in the 50s;antisemitism;romance;high school;high school romance;social justice;racism;terrorists;coming of age;YA coming of age books;books about moving;popularity;HS Romance;secrets;atlanta;religion;hate crime;Judaism;romantic YA books;own voices;#ownvoices;own-voices;anti-semitism,Fiction-Historical,Georgia,JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 10-12 Ages 15+,TEEN'S FICTION / HISTORICAL,TEEN'S FICTION / ROMANCE,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Historical,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Prejudice Racism,Young Adult Fiction/Historical - United States - 20th Century,Young Adult Fiction/Social Themes - Prejudice Racism,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Historical,YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Prejudice Racism,Young Adult Fiction/Historical - United States - 20th Century,Young Adult Fiction/Social Themes - Prejudice Racism

In the Neighborhood of True Susan Kaplan Carlton Books Reviews :

In the Neighborhood of True Susan Kaplan Carlton Books Reviews

• After her father's untimely death, Ruth Robb's mother uproots her and her little sister from New York City to Atlanta, Georgia. The main issue? Ruth is Jewish and she doesn't want anyone to know. Segregation and blatant racism still loom large in the 1950's South. Because Ruth's mother was raised in Atlanta, Ruth is able to hind behind her grandparents non-Jewishness. Ruth must wrestle between being popular and being who she truly is.I really think books like 'In the Neighborhood of True', are important for young adults of today. It helps them to realize that segregation and the civil rights movement are not things of ancient history but things that happened a short time ago. Desegregation here in Florida is something that was actively happening when I was in elementary school and segregation was still very much alive when my parents were in high school. An interesting topic for me was the situation with Ruth and the 'colored' water fountains. My mom was six in 1958. Her family had just moved to Florida from upstate NY.  When she took a drink from the 'colored' water fountain at a department store, she was summarily yelled at by a store employee. So these types of events are things of living memory.I appreciated that Carlton made Ruth a very flawed character. The fact that she and her grandmother hide that Ruth is Jewish so that she could attend 'wasp' country clubs and a Christian school made her believable. I  also think this is a reality for most teenagers who are put in Ruth's situation (especially in that time period).I loved that Ruth had two sisters in the story. I really feel there is a tendency in YA contemporary to make the protagonist an only child or child with absent siblings. I think this tendency is such a shame because for most of us our siblings are a major part of our young adult experience.I did have some issues with some of the dialogue. Sometimes it felt kind of clunky and confusing. For example, sometimes I couldn't tell who was talking or what they were talking about. Some of this may be due to the format of my digital ARC. I also felt that at times Ruth felt a little young for her age. I kept thinking she was thirteen or fourteen.The only other issue I had with 'In the Neighborhood of True' is Mr. Hank. I am a little torn whether his character was realistic for the time and place. I'm just not sure the outspoken liberal attitude of his newspaper would have been tolerated. I realize he owned the newspaper and that made him powerful and influential but I just don't see him not being shunned in his social circle.I really enjoyed 'In the Neighborhood of True' and it's message. I would love to read more YA historical fiction and I can't wait to read more from Susan Kaplan Carlton.
• Overall this was a quick and entertaining read. However, there were many parts that were not believable and shallow. Unnatural, quickly intense and unrealistic relationship between the main character and her beau. They hardly knew each other and didn’t have any deep or meaningful conversations, yet they spoke about marriage in their future. Huh?? And the political messages in the book felt forced into the storyline. There were parts that I enjoyed in the writing style, but overall I found it to be very poorly executed.
• Sweet story about a young girl who has to choose between her faith or being popular. A difficult decision as a teenager who wanted to fit in.
• This book is fantastic! It’s about being true to your identity, even when you risk losing things you love. A new favorite!
• With the death of her father, Ruth Robb and her family must move to Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother is originally from there but was able to get away to New York City, ended up converting to Judaism, and marrying the man that would be Ruth’s father.
  
  But being Jewish in 1950s Georgia is not as easy as New York Cuty, so when Ruth starts to make friends and catches the eye of Davis, one of the most popular guys in town, she leaves that part out. She wants to fit in and with the help of her grandmother, she does just that.
  
  But Ruth’s mother has other ideas. She went through the whole debutante thing when she was growing up and doesn’t want Ruth to get too hung up on it. So she tells Ruth that she can hang out with her friends and do her debutante duties as long as she goes to synagogue with Nattie (her younger sister) and her every week. Ruth reluctantly agrees but hopes that no one spots her there.
  
  Little does she know that she will meet people there, including a boy named Max, who will change her life and her views in ways that her debutante friends and Davis never could.
  
  Ruth travels between her debutante friends and her time at synagogue pretty effortlessly. But when the synagogue is bombed, Ruth’s life is turned upside down and as she starts to examine her relationships and things she has witnessed, she comes to put the pieces together about who could have done such a hateful thing.
  
  But will she cut herself off from her new life by telling the truth or will she continue to let people believe what they want to believe and stay silent?
  
  I have to say that I was a little worried about this book going in. I was worried I was going to get frustrated with Ruth hiding who she is. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. She does hide that she is Jewish for most of the book but that doesn’t mean she lets others push her around or that she doesn’t challenge people when she thinks they are doing something wrong.
  
  She is a loyal sister and daughter and despite her worry that she’ll be found out, she never feels ashamed for going to synagogue or for being who she is. Her friends believe what they want to believe about her and she lets them because its easier. But when the time comes for the not so easy decisions and the hard truth, she doesn’t stand by when she can ensure justice takes place.
  
  Ruth is a perfect main character in that she is flawed but does everything she can to do right. And her development was a joy to experience. I also fell completely in love with her sister, Nattie. She cute as hell, helps Nattie learn the rules of debutante etiquette, and will not get out of a swimming pool if she doesn’t have to. And their mother is a badass in her own right. She writes for her father’s newspaper and will go after any story no matter how small. She wants Ruth and Nattie to be who they are and not what the world tells them they should be.
  
  I also loved Ruth’s friends too, especially Gracie and Thurston-Anne. They seemed to genuinely like her and once the conflict really begins, still seem to be interested in some kind of friendship. They are truly just teenage girls looking for people to connect with. They didn’t seem to have an agenda.
  
  Now, if we’re talking about Claudia…well, that’s a whole different story. She’s got all kinds of agendas and they include whatever will make her the Magnolia Queen. Claudia is quite the mean girl but in a ‘you love to hate her’ kind of way. She is mean as hell but at least she doesn’t try to hide it behind a sweet facade.
  
  Then there is Davis and Max. I get the appeal of Davis. I get why Ruth is attracted to him but as soon as Max was introduced, I was mentally shoving Ruth over to him. He’s not the best looking and he’s not the popular football player, but he’s smart, Ruth feels completely comfortable in his presence (very important!), and he cares about the issues affecting the community. And while Ruth doesn’t immediately see his appeal, she slowly realizes that he might be more than she originally thought.
  
  And let me get one thing straight because I know what you’re thinking! There is no love triangle! Ruth is with one boy for most of the book and that only changes near the end. Don’t worry love triangle haters, you will love this book!
  
  There is also Fontaine aka Ruth’s grandmother. I would characterize her as a true southern belle. She teaches Ruth about the ins and outs of the debutante (or pre-debutante) world. The hair, the dresses, the shoes, the makeup, and most importantly, how to behave. But she definitely wishes the “Jewish thing” would go away. She is a woman who is trying to do what she thinks is best for the ones she loves but some of the things she says…yikes. At the beginning of the book, she pretty much implies that it’s great that Ruth doesn’t look “too Jewish.”
  
  I get it. She wants Ruth to fit in but damn! Living in a conservative Christian town, I have thought the same thing about myself. But me, a Jewish girl, thinking that is completely different than a Christian lady saying that to her Jewish granddaughter. Like I said…yikes.
  
  The bombing of the synagogue occurs near the end of the book and is absolutely heartbreaking. While this book definitely has its light moments, it also has moments that will make you feel like your heart is being torn out of your chest. I went into reading this knowing I was going to cry. You don’t go into a book about 1950s Georgia and think it’s not going to have some tragedy in it. But the people affected by the tragedy come together and try to make something good come of it.
  
  In terms of trigger warnings, I would say watch out for racism (the n word is used at least once), antisemitism, and hate crimes.
  
  In the Neighborhood of True is a book that I think about at least a couple of times a week since I reading it. I am SO GLAD that more books are coming out with Jewish representation AND not just books that take place during the Holocaust. Yes, we all have a responsibility to remember what happened but that is not the end all and be all of the Jewish story. Stories like this and so many other books out right now or coming out soon. (omg so much Jewish rep) are just as valid.
  
  We need stories of romance and fun and friendships and fashion right along with the ones of struggle and death and hardship. This book gives us both. If there was any doubt, I am giving In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton 5 out of 5 stars. I cannot wait to reread it. I really hope you get a copy and enjoy it too.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.