Many thanks to Deborah Kalb for her blog interview about my two latest books: Zevi Takes the Spotlight for middle grades.
"I wanted to write a fun book but a book that would get kids thinking about what fame really is. I started noticing that young people have gone from wanting to become scientists, or vets, or firefighters, to YouTube influencers. It seemed to me that fame had become the goal, not the result of hard work or inspiration. So, something to mull over."
Zevi Takes the Spotlight has been chosen by School Library Journal as one of 42 Stellar Middle Grade books for 2024.
What a wonderful review from the Association Of Jewish Libraries (AJL).Plus: School Library Journal has included Zevi Takes the Spotlight in their Top Trends in SLJ's Starred Books/ The 2024 Stars issue!“Prolific Canadian author Carol Matas has another winner with this fun middle-grade novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, Jewishness, friendship, and the extraordinary…The plot is entertaining, the portrayals of family and friendships are positive and the inclusion of Jewish practices and values are few, but important, especially at the conclusion of the book, set at the family Shabbat dinner table.”—Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)
