IZZY, Joel Ben

The story, set during Hanukkah in 1971 and loosely based on the author's childhood, is divided into nine chapters, one for each night of the holiday ("The First Candle: Chopped Liver"; "The Fifth Candle: Schlemiels and Schlimazels") plus the shammes. Twelve-year-old narrator Joel, a budding magician and the "only Jew in my class," humorously describes life in suburban L.A. It's not always a laugh riot-his father suffers from severe arthritis and spends much of the story in the hospital-but Joel's offbeat perspective leavens darker moments. Two of the running gags are particularly good: Joel's endless variations on the spelling of "Hanukkah" (try: "Chanayhayah" or "Khanukhaya") and the eventual reveal of his last name. elissa gershowitz

Nine chapters (one for each night of the holiday plus the shammes) set during Hanukkah 1971 are loosely based on the author's childhood. Twelve-year-old Joel, a budding magician and the "only Jew in my class," humorously narrates life in suburban L.A. It's not always a laugh riot--his father spends much of the story in the hospital--but Joel's offbeat perspective leavens darker moments.