How to Find What You're Not Looking For

De: Veera Hiranandani

Narrado por: Priya Ayyar

New historical fiction from a Newbery Honor-winning author about how middle schooler Ariel Goldberg's life changes when her big sister elopes following the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision, and she's forced to grapple with both her family's prejudice and the antisemitism she experiences, as she defines her own beliefs.

Twelve-year-old Ariel Goldberg's life feels like the moment after the final guest leaves the party. Her family's Jewish bakery runs into financial trouble, and her older sister has eloped with a young man from India following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down laws banning interracial marriage. As change becomes Ariel's only constant, she's left to hone something that will be with her always—her own voice.

©2021 Veera Hiranandani (P)2021 Listening Library

Reseñas de la Crítica

A Sydney Taylor Award Winner

A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner

A Judy Lopez Memorial Award Winner

A NAIBA Carla Cohen Free Speech Award Winner

A National Jewish Book Award Finalist

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A 2022 ALSC Notable Children’s Book

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2021

A New-York Historical Society's Children’s History Book Prize Winner

An Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2021

*"A splendid historical fiction tale of bravery and determination."—School Library Journal, starred review.

*"A powerful blend of important themes and everyday triumphs and sorrows."—Kirkus, starred review.

*"...explores the benefits and costs of assimilation and the complexity of being both white and a religious minority in America then—and now."—Publisher's Weekly, starred review.

Ingenious Writing

This story puts a face on the real life issues that plague kids who are discrimination targets. Ari, the main character must deal with adult ignorance of her disability, kids bullying her due to her religion, her sister eloping, and many other issues that overwhelm her. The author depicts all of these things with grace and and a deep understanding of how an 11U year-old girl thinks. Writing from a 2nd person POV, the author illustrates how the larger events of the turbulent 1960s influence one girl's life.

Chalked full of learning and discussion points

Written in second person, filled with historical facts and realities the story brought me back to 1967 I would have been in eighth grade. I encountered some of the same thoughts and discussions in a community with multiple races and religions. I was 10 when JFK was shot and began to become aware of topics including MLK’s peaceful protesting, interracial marriage, Viet Nam War and protests. I can remember family debates and discussions on some of these very topics. I hope this book can be a jumping off point, not to solve problems but to open discussions Some people have real value systems that may be different from yours; they may have real reasons why they believe what they do. That makes them different not wrong. “Can I love you as a person even though you have a belief that I feel is wrong? Can you love me as a person even though you don’t believe as I ?”