Every now and then a social media personality will espouse an opinion on why 'kids today don’t read'. Everything from corona virus to books being too short or too long will be blamed. As is the case with most things, there’s some truth to all of those theories, depending on which particular kid and community we are talking about. Such nuance, in which not everything is absolute, is generally beyond the capabilities of internet discourse. Instead, people immediately start supporting and attacking the poster based on their personal experiences. The vast majority of these responders will be adults - some in kid facing roles like educators and librarians - while the kids roll their eyes and back away slowly from these debates about what is 'wrong' with their generation. Into this complicated foray comes Abby White's debut, D. J. Rosenblum Becomes the G. O. A. T., which I will admit I did not immediately realize was a YA. 

At fourteen, D. J. is young for what the industry has taught me to expect from YA. A shelf full of seventeen/eighteen/nineteen year-old protagonists graduating high school, going on parent-less trips and internships abroad, or even starting college has taught me to expect YA characters to be mini adults with slightly more angst and sexier outfits. D.J. is very much still a teen enmeshed in her family dynamic. She and her mother are moving in with her Aunt and Uncle to support them after the death of D.J.s older cousin Rachel. While most kids would balk at spending their last middle school years away from their friends, D.J. is viewing the situation as an opportunity. Although Rachel's death was declared a suicide, D.J. has never accepted that as true, and believes her cousin was murdered. Now that she's living in Rachel's town, she can investigate the situation for herself. That being said she's not going it alone - she manages to rope in her best friend from back home as well as several kids from her new school who were unaware of D.J.'s ulterior motives when she presented Rachel's death as a potential story for the middle school newspaper.

To be clear: D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T is not a suspenseful murder mystery. I knew right away what had happened to Rachel and I suspect most readers will too. Attempts at making the investigation more suspenseful or believable failed to convince me. For me, the suspense came in the form of wondering what would happen to D. J. when she finally acknowledges the truth about Rachel. I could be wrong, but I think that was the authors intention all along, and it's really well done.

A small side note: there is a content warning and resources to reach out to for support, but I want to point out something more subtle in case it pertains to any BookishlyJewish readership. The favorite pastime of many authors (especially, but not limited to, debuts) seems to be making their protagonists book lovers and inserting favorite books into the story. As a book lover myself, I don't mind, although I do wonder why it happens so often. I point it out because one book D.J. mentions was unfortunately was very jarring for me. It's author, who I will not name, has been widely acknowledged to have caused irreparable harm to a variety of groups including several I belong to. No, it is not the author you are thinking of, it's an even older story, which is how I suspect it snuck through. Back then we didn't have as much fanfare about these things. Luckily, it was just one mention and I was able to move right along. Many readers who are too young to remember the incidents won't even notice, I just cringe to think of them going to pick up the aforementioned book and accidentally supporting this person which I do not think was anyone's intent here.

There are several unique things about D.J. Rosenblum, including featuring a Jewish community in a part of America other than NY or LA, but what I especially appreciated was the way this book felt extremely attuned to its market. This is not a cross over appeal, market to everybody, and therefore fully satisfy nobody book. D.J. having a delayed bat mitzvah (a classic MG experience) should tip the reader off that this is a book for the subset of kids who don't want their books packed with sex or adult style problems and life experiences. There are lots of kids who need those books, and find them true to their lived experience, but there are a whole lot of kids who were left behind by the push to focus exclusively on those styles of books and a whole lot more who want the full spectrum (I read everything from middle grade to adult sci fi as a teen.). D. J. is closer to first crushes than first intercourse, and her one attempt at attending a party is both hilarious and sweet in terms of how she has no idea what she’s doing and how the older kids actually take care of her rather than taking advantage. Her story adds some much needed variety to the YA shelf.

I know it may sound strange given the subject matter, but I thought D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. was a feel good book. D.J.'s friends come from an assortment of backgrounds. Her relationship with her mother, who is a single mom and conceived D.J. via artificial insemination, is delightfully oddball as the two of them discuss the insemination and various other topics (one of the first things that made me realize this was not a MG was D.J. recalling a discussion with her mother that was decidedly NOT middle grade in nature). There is also compassion - the queen bees of both the middle school and high school defy the stereotypical roles they are usually given. Instead they are complex characters who show empathy and self awareness.

White does not go easy on topics like mental health, suicide, honesty in relationships, and how to give help even when someone is failing to ask for it. She simply does it in a hopeful way that focuses on younger readers - the twelve to eighteen set - rather than trying to “age it up” to also appeal to adults.  Some older teens might find they’ve moved beyond this and into the adult section. Some younger ones will probably shed tears of relief that finally there is a book designed specifically for them. Which is maybe the solution to the whole debate- stop forcing all kids books into the mold of what one guru thinks is the way to “get kids reading again”. Instead, offer up a variety of lengths, maturity levels in content, and experiences, by having authors write what is true to them. Then, when a teen browses or approaches their friendly local librarian, there will be something different and wonderful to offer each of them.

I… loved this!! I’m not a huge YA reader so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The writing captivated me, DJ was such a likable protagonist. All of the side characters felt multi dimensional and fleshed out. How lucky is DJ to have such wonderful and loving friends and family.

Look, the content is tough but so real. DJ’s cousin Rachel dies by suicide. Struggling to cope with her grief, DJ investigates her death as a murder. The book deals with adult themes that sadly many young adults find themselves dealing with. It was refreshing to see this depicted in a story.

DJ having the maturity level of a 14 year old, while grappling with grief, lying, making poor (and naive!) choices had me feeling such fondness seeing a loved ones of a similar age in her, who are also navigating realities I wish they didn’t have to at such a young age.

I cried twice — once during the part during Yom Kippur services and once during DJ’s Bat Mitzvah. I am not Jewish, but the thread of Judaism, a young persons relationship to their faith (or lack thereof) in crisis, and the ritual that can bring families together is was deeply compelling.

I can already tell this will be one of my go-to books to gift upon publication.

Thank you to Netgalley and Levine Querido for a complimentary earc in exchange for an honest review.

Spotlight in JUDITH: Editor’s note: Abby White’s debut young adult novel, set to release on August 5, 2025, D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T., is a compelling blend of mystery and real emotional depth. D.J. Rosenblum navigates the complexities of adolescence and a big move while confronting the enigmatic circumstances surrounding her cousin Rachel's alleged suicide all while preparing for her own bat mitzvah.

I love the Jewish references and characters, as well as the mystery to be solved throughout the storyline. There were a few things that the reader should know, including trigger references around suicide and mature content. The thing that confused me the most was that this features middle school students, who act like middle schoolers, yet includes quite a bit of more mature themes and profanity....I feel like it would have worked better if the main characters were high schoolers, making this a book more for high schoolers.

I really enjoyed this one! When the first page mentioned kichel, I knew I was in for a treat. I only realized after reading that the front matter *does* say this is YA, not middle grade, but the age of the characters (and their actions) made me assume it was middle grade, which left me feeling slightly shocked at a few of the references and the profanity. I'm left wondering who the intended reader is, because D.J.'s maturity level does feel very middle school.

That being said, I am so here for the writing (incredibly fun, despite tackling a very difficult topic), the Yiddishkeit, and the depiction of Jews in Northeast Ohio. (Also, this book wins for the most references to Elyria in any book I've read. Also, a reference to Sherrod Brown.) 4.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested D.J. to make sure the link worked, and it does! Yay! I am biased, but I really love this book. :-)