Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop

by Joshua S. Levy

Overview

Finn and Ezra’s bar mitzvah weekend takes on a Groundhog Day twist in this hilarious and magical middle grade novel from Joshua S. Levy.

Finn and Ezra don’t have a lot in common—except, of course, that they’re trapped in a bar mitzvah time loop, reliving their celebrations in the same New Jersey hotel over and over and over again. Not ideal, particularly when both kids were ready for their bar mitzvahs to end the moment they began. Ezra comes from a big family—four siblings, all seeming to get more attention than him, even on his bar mitzvah weekend. Finn is an only child who’s tired of his parents’ constant focus, even worse on his bar mitzvah weekend. They just want to get past it, just want to grow up. And now they’re both stuck. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. No way out.

Until Finn and Ezra meet and realize they’re not alone.

Teaming up, they try everything they can think of to break the loop. But nothing works, and after every reset, the boys’ schemes become more desperate. As their frustrations build, the questions mount and real-life problems start to seep through the cracks. With all the time in the world, can Finn and Ezra ever figure out how to move forward? 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063248243
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/14/2024
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	354,527
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Joshua S. Levy is the author of several middle grade novels, including The Jake Show and Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop. Born and raised in Florida, Josh now lives with his family in New Jersey, where he also practices as a lawyer. You can visit him online at joshuasimonlevy.com.

Editorial Reviews

02/19/2024

When 13-year-old Ezra Rosen starts repeatedly reliving his bar mitzvah weekend, he wonders if there’s a way out. Then he meets fellow 13-year-old Finn Einstein, who is also caught in the same 55-hour time loop. Armed with myriad theories on why this is happening—as well as many more about how to break the loop—type A Finn and cautious Ezra spend countless variations of the weekend putting their plans into motion and learning through trial and error. Enacting schemes such as engineering “the perfect loop” and robbing a bank, they leave no potential solve unexplored. It’s only when they discover the physicists convention taking place in the same hotel that they see real progress. While juggling matters of science, family, and faith, the two new friends must confront their personal challenges and vulnerabilities if they hope to break free. Levy (The Jake Show) puts a new spin on time loop tropes by infusing this energetic tale with Jewish sensibilities via Ezra’s conservative family traditions and Finn’s reformed upbringing, making for a delightfully offbeat read about becoming a man dozens of times over. The protagonists read as white; most characters are Jewish. Ages 8–12. Agent: Elana Roth Parker, Laura Dail Literary. (May)

Publishers Weekly

By the middle of the first chapter it's clear that Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop is funny, gripping, and written by an expert storyteller. By the end of the last chapter it's clear that Finn and Ezra is mind-bending and brilliant. A book you'll never forget.” — Adam Gidwitz, author of the Newbery Honoree The Inquisitor's Tale

“Levy puts a new spin on time loop tropes by infusing this energetic tale with Jewish sensibilities via Ezra’s conservative family traditions and Finn’s reformed upbringing, making for a delightfully offbeat read about becoming a man dozens of times over.”  — Publishers Weekly

“Exciting and heartfelt.”  — Kirkus Reviews

“The author inserts clues to what’s actually going on so artfully that even alert readers are going to have aha moments. The tale is embedded within such a rich matrix of Jewish customs that the story is likely to have an informational aspect for audiences of any belief or culture.” — Booklist

Praise for The Jake Show: "Astutely depicts the pain of a contentious divorce, the balm of friendship, and the complexity of Jewish culture."  — Kirkus Reviews

"You'll root for Jake as he navigates friendships, parents, religion, and figuring out who he is—and who he wants to be. Heartfelt and hilarious, The Jake Show is a coming of age story you don't want to miss."  — Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series

"A heartfelt story about discovering yourself while being pulled in two directions, Levy's The Jake Show had me laughing through tears and cheering for Jake every inch of the way. Give this TV-loving kid his Emmy; he deserves it."  — Nicole Melleby, award-winning author of Hurricane Season

"A relatable coming-of-age story filled with family strife, fraught friendships, and ridiculous decisions. Funny, heartwarming, and authentic, The Jake Show is a hit!"  — Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole

"This comical, authentic, and firmly Jewish caper should play to rave reviews with both secular and spiritual audiences."  — Booklist

"Themes of trust, friendship, family, and growing up are thoughtfully interspersed with madcap adventures. An unexpectedly poignant resolution offers the main characters a chance to prove that they made the most of their time, while not-so-subtly encouraging readers to do the same." — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher