Publishers Weekly
★ 04/15/2024
White-cued Benji Zeb—on the cusp of making his bar mitzvah—is struggling to keep many secrets as well as live up to the expectations of his kibbutz family. His first secret—he and his Modern Orthodox Jewish brood are werewolves who also operate a wolf sanctuary—is the least of his worries. It’s the fact that Benji has a crush on former friend Caleb Gao, who is of Chinese descent, that makes Benji nervous. Caleb was one of few people Benji was confident being himself around, but when the new school year starts, Caleb inexplicably begins ignoring Benji. Moreover, tensions have increased throughout Benji’s rural Washington town, which is facing financial challenges. Hoping to incite further upheaval, Caleb’s white farmer stepfather engages in racist, antisemitic, and homophobic rhetoric that threatens the Zebs’ livelihood. Moulton (Don’t Want to Be Your Monster) explores relevant issues surrounding anxiety, faith, prejudice, sexuality, and prioritizing others’ safety over personal comfort in this allegorical creature feature. It’s a heartening tale, ferried by Benji’s sincere first-person POV and enlivened by his endearing interactions with Caleb. Abundant back matter includes a Hebrew and Chinese glossary, author’s note, and anxiety resources. Ages 10–14. Agent: Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Agency. (July)
From the Publisher
"Moulton (Don’t Want to Be Your Monster) explores relevant issues surrounding anxiety, faith, prejudice, sexuality, and prioritizing others’ safety over personal comfort in this allegorical creature feature." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
"Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique take on the werewolf trope. Readers will root for the gentle and introspective protagonist." —STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
"Benji’s adultish inner voice, and lessons for Caleb about Jewish traditions and history, frequently eclipse both character development and plot, tilting this contemplative, profoundly allegorical story into teachy but never preachy territory . . . . A sweet, informative, and somewhat hairy coming-out and coming-of-age story." —Booklist
"An author for children does best when that person embodies a kind of fearlessness about their own material. Deke Moulton doesn’t just embrace their material, though, they celebrate it. Even as they pile on the different elements and attempt to make each one work in its own right, it takes a gutsiness to not only try but get the bulk of it all right AND in a svelte, handsome package. It would be difficult to overstate the impressiveness of Benji Zeb. With that in mind, hand it to your young readers that read fantasy not to escape the real world, but to highlight some of its most difficult elements. Elegant, smart stuff." —Betsy Bird, School Library Journal
School Library Journal
★ 06/01/2024
Gr 5 Up—In Moulton's latest, Jewish traditions and werewolf mythology blend seamlessly to create a compelling coming-of-age tale. Benji Zeb is overwhelmed. Faced with the strain of navigating his Modern Orthodox Jewish upbringing on a rural Washington kibbutz/wolf sanctuary and escalating threats from an antisemitic neighbor, Benji has barely had time to prepare for his upcoming bar mitzvah. Thankfully, the kibbutz's true purpose remains secret: a safe space for its residents, who are all werewolves. School presents its own set of problems for Benji. He's terrified of losing control and accidentally transforming in front of everyone. To make matters worse, his former friend (and secret crush) Caleb Gao has turned into an arrogant bully. When Caleb unexpectedly arrives at the sanctuary as a fellow werewolf, distraught and terrified of returning home, he desperately needs Benji's help. Though he's initially wary of Caleb, the two forge a sweet bond as they work to confront the threats to their town. The title may mislead readers into expecting chills and gore, but what the book lacks in horror it makes up for with nuanced characters and a thought-provoking take on antisemitism, bigotry, and the power of acceptance. Benji and his parents are cued as white, Caleb is of Chinese descent, and there is a diverse cast of kibbutz residents offering a contemporary, multifaceted exploration of marginalized perspectives. VERDICT Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique take on the werewolf trope. Readers will root for the gentle and introspective protagonist.—Alia Shields
Kirkus Reviews
2024-04-05
A closeted gay werewolf bar mitzvah boy hopes nobody will learn about his crushing anxiety.
Benji Zeb can’t let on how panicked he is about his impending coming of age. He knows that his mother, the leader of their egalitarian Washington state werewolf kibbutz and wolf sanctuary, expects greatness from him. The only thing to do is pretend he isn’t gutted by terror and shortness of breath at the idea of leading their Modern Orthodox congregation in a Torah reading. Changing into werewolf form calms him down, but he’s not allowed to shift because his mother says he isn’t studying enough. Benji knows that one of the local ranchers, the racist and antisemitic stepdad of his estranged crush, Caleb Gao, is planning something dreadful. Why doesn’t anyone on the kibbutz listen when Benji tries to warn them? But when Caleb turns up at the kibbutz, it turns out that he and Benji have something unexpected in common: Caleb’s turned into a werewolf, too. Benji finds that introducing Caleb to lycanthropy and Judaism is surprisingly rewarding. The boys’ relationship is by turns hopeful and charmingly uncomfortable. In this overwhelmingly white rural area, Caleb has much to learn about Jews (information that’s sometimes heavy-handedly delivered). Biracial Caleb, who’s white and Chinese American, is startled to discover that though Benji’s white, many of the other kibbutz families aren’t. Benji’s warm family counterbalances the hate Caleb’s heard from his internet-radicalized stepdad.
Busy but sweet and optimistic. (author’s note, resources) (Fantasy. 10-14)
