Published: 2022
Series: N/A
Genres: Middle Grade, Jewish, Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Grade Levels: Middle Grade
Content Warnings: Vandalism, antisemitism, grief
Goodreads Link: Aviva vs. the Dybbuk
Publisher’s Summary:
2023 SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD WINNER
A long ago “accident.” An isolated girl named Aviva. A community that wants to help, but doesn’t know how. And a ghostly dybbuk, that no one but Aviva can see, causing mayhem and mischief that everyone blames on her. That is the setting for this novel of a girl who seems to have lost everything, including her best friend Kayla, and a mother who was once vibrant and popular, but who now can’t always get out of bed in the morning.
As tensions escalate in the Jewish community of Beacon with incidents of vandalism and a swastika carved into new concrete poured near the synagogue, so does the tension grow between Aviva and Kayla and the girls at their school, and so do the actions of the dybbuk grow worse. Could real harm be coming Aviva’s way? And is it somehow related to the “accident” that took her father years ago?
Review:
A Jewish teenage girl is the protagonist in this middle grade novel centered around a Mikveh, a Kosher bathhouse that serves as both a sacred space and an emotional anchor in her life. Themes of grief, friendship and fantasy weave through this multigenerational story as Aviva struggles to make sense of the world after the loss of her father and the unraveling of her once-close relationships. The presence of the dybbuk adds a supernatural layer that mirrors Aviva’s inner turmoil, creating moments that are both unsettling and deeply moving. Only after the truth is revealed can healing truly begin, and watching Aviva reach that point is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Readers will grieve and rejoice with her as she navigates complicated friendships, community tensions and the heavy weight of unspoken trauma.
While the story feels deeply personal, it offers meaningful curricular connections. It can support lessons on symbolism and metaphor, particularly through the dybbuk as a representation of grief. The novel also provides an accessible entry point for discussions on cultural literacy, Jewish traditions and the impact of hate incidents on communities. In social emotional learning, Aviva’s journey aligns well with themes of resilience, belonging and coping with loss. Ultimately, though it may not align with traditional content-area objectives, the emotional value and opportunities for reflective dialogue are unmatched.
