Like No Other

by Una LaMarche

Hardcover, 2014

Status

Available

Call number

F LAM

Collection

Publication

Razorbill (2014), 368 pages

Description

Though their relationship is strictly forbidden, Devorah and Jax arrange secret meetings and risk everything to be together. But how far can they possibly go? Just how much are they willing to give up?

Barcode

4110

Language

Lexile

1000L

User reviews

LibraryThing member Brainannex
A love story like no other I've read in a long time. I'm glad that the story ended the way it did because not everything in life is tied up in a pretty bow. I hope this book gets a lot of attention.
LibraryThing member EKAnderson
Is it the worst ever if I say that LIKE NO OTHER by Una LaMarche is like no other? I loved this book in an ELEANOR AND PARK kind of way. The authentic voice(s), the real relationships, and the beautiful prose all came together for an unbelievably good read.

LIKE NO OTHER follows two teens who never
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should have met. Jaxon is a black boy of Caribbean descent from Brooklyn. And while Devorah is from the same neighborhood, she would never in a million years think of venturing to Jaxon's side of the street. She's a Hasidic Jew, and it's forbidden for her to speak to strange men. Even if they are stuck in an elevator during a blackout.

Except, she does speak. And he's wonderful. And, little by little, these two teens find themselves going against everything that they know is practical and right to see each other. They sneak around, defy their parents (which neither of them EVER do), and even ignore the advice of friends because they have never felt a feeling like this.

I'd hate to give away any of the good stuff -- and there is so much good stuff -- but this is a book in which the tension runs high. How could it not? Between Devorah's controlling brother-in-law and Jaxon's mischief-making pals, there's no way to completely avoid trouble. The thing is, when you're in love, trouble doesn't really matter that much, does it?

Una LaMarche is a genius, and if you need the proof, it's right here in LIKE NO OTHER. Deftly navigating cultural boundaries, this is a book that not only highlights a pocket of the US population we might never see (or choose to overlook), without drawing boundaries or passing judgement. Plus, if your heart aches for a sweet romance that has the high stakes of Simone Elkeles but the sweetness of Stephanie Perkins, this is a book you absolutely must read.
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LibraryThing member Auj
Hasidic girl. Black boy. It's never going to work out. Or is it? I had to keep reading to find out. I was quite interested in the Hasidic religion and customs that were explained through the story lines. Near the beginning, one girl was wearing a wig and I wondered why, but later in the story it
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was explained. The author did a great job writing the love story of a young love that never should have happened.

I read this on my Kindle with a Net Galley proof.
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LibraryThing member amydelpo
Very interesting twist on Romeo and Juliet -- with two teens crossing cultural lines to be together. A nice glimpse into the life of a Hassidic girl -- and also a positive portrayal of a black boy in New York City. The romance is very tame -- but the feelings are sometimes intense -- and there is
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one scene with the word breast in it. So -- okay for anyone sixth grade on up -- but be sure they are okay with romance.
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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
Sixteen year old Devorah Blum is a such a good Hasidic girl, she’s nicknamed LikeNoOtherfrum Blum. It is nearly Rosh Hashanah and she’s at the hospital awaiting the arrival of her 18 year old sister’s first child. She’s in the waiting room sitting next to her brother-in-law, Jacob. It’s
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hurricane weather outside.

Taking the elevator down to the cafeteria, the electricity goes out and the elevator stops. That’s a problem in and of itself. However, the even bigger problem is that there is a 16 year old boy, Jaxon, in the elevator as well, and good Hasidic girls are not allowed to be alone with members of the opposite sex, regardless of the circumstances. As Devorah squats in the farthest corner of the elevator car, long dress draped over her legs, Jaxon starts talking to her. Against her better judgment, she begins to respond, his easy going manner and genuine interest a far cry from what Deborah’s used to.

As any astute reader will surmise, Jaxon is not Jewish. Additionally, he is Black, so he’s got a double negative against him. Before you know it, there’s an attraction between them and they are sneaking off to see each other, the consequences (especially Devorah’s), if found out (and you know they will be), be damned.

LaMarche paints what I’d consider a realistic picture of Hasidic life and thought, and the actions taken when a young girl rebels against Hasidic life. (Interestingly, I don’t recall reading any books about males exploring outside their very insular life. If you know of one, I’d be interested.) Having witnessed first hand what the Hasidic community will do when someone dates outside the religion, the actions taken by Jacob and Devorah’s parents do not surprise me.

While I thought at some points that Devorah’s actions and transformation were not realistic, I discovered, as I thought about it, that my thoughts changed. When a girl who is brought up all her life knowing she’ll get matched to a suitable mate and ‘learn’ to love him after marriage, experiences a physical and emotional attraction to someone for the first time, she could very well consider it love. (It might or might not be.) And given Devorah’s spunk, she’ll pursue it as aggressively as she can, bearing in mind the tug of war she’s having between her upbringing and family vs. her freedom.

And when a young man meets a girl who is so not the average girl he’s used to meeting, he too may interpret it as love, whether or not it truly is, and pursue her aggressively.

Like No Other is a powerful story. I can understand both Jaxon’s and Devorah’s emotions, their longing for each other. Devorah’s struggle to align her religious upbringing and beliefs with her desire to explore the outer world is true. Contrast that with Jaxon’s more liberal, more understanding family and you can understand Devorah’s turmoil.

I just need to say that insularity of Hasidic Judaism is not unique. There are many nationalities and religions that frown upon young women venturing out on their own, where parents determine the lives that their daughters, especially, will lead. And therefore, this book should resonate with young girls wherever they may be.

We, more liberal folk, tend to think that the whole world is in the 21st century, but clearly that is not true. Definitely give Like No Other a try.
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LibraryThing member WhitneyYPL
Like No Other is a Romeo and Juliet-esque tale about Devorah, a Hasidic Jewish girl, and Jaxon, a dark-skinned boy with Caribbean heritage. These two are from different sides of the tracks (quite literally, different sides of the street) in a New York neighborhood. Devorah's family never ventures
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to Jaxon's side of the neighborhood, and vice versa. The two would never have a chance to meet if not for a freak storm and a power outage at the hostpital where Devorah's sister has gone into labor and Jaxon's friend has injured himself doing a skateboarding trick. Jaxon and Devorah find themselves trapped in an elevator together, and this chance meeting ignites a spark that changes both of their lives forever.

Devorah's family will never be accepting of Jaxon. How will their fiery romance survive? Like No Other perfectly captures the urgency and desperation of first love. Will they be able to find a way to be together despite Devorah's strict faith? Readers will devour this book to find the answer. I recommend this book to grades 8-12. There was kissing and some touching, but no overt sexual references. -EC
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LibraryThing member fingerpost
Devorah is a 16-year-old Hasidic Jew. She is devout; never straying from the extraordinarily strict rules of her upbringing, among them, that an unmarried girl is never alone with any man outside of her own family.
Jaxon is a college bound, academically inclined 16-year-old black boy.
Both Devorah
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and Jaxon end up in a hospital during a storm, and get stuck in an elevator together. Devorah does what she has never done - she talks to boy unchaperoned. Jaxon does what he has never done - any form of association with the Hasids who live in his neighborhood of New York. A spark of a crush develops in each, and they begin looking for ways to see each other, though they know it is forbidden.
That spark that starts the book is a bit of a stretch. It's hard to imagine either of these characters having any sort of romantic interest in the other right off the bat. But once you accept that they do, the story follows a believable line, for anyone who remembers (or is currently dealing with) being head over heels in love. All rational thought is out the window, and both (but especially Devorah) do things they know will get them in serious trouble if they are caught, just to be with each other, even for a few precious moments. It's a sweet story, and the reader will be rooting for them to somehow find a way.
The story is told in alternating chapters, Devorah one, Jaxon the next, but it is pretty clear from the beginning that it is Devorah's story. She is one who is risking the most, she is the one doing more things forbidden to her, she is the one who will face the direst consequences if they are caught, and in the end, it is Devorah who changes and grows in the course of the book. Jaxon learns a few lessons, but is largely the same person at the end as he was at the start.
(Spoilers follow.)
In the end, it is a bittersweet tale. They are caught in a shocking encounter with the Shomrim (a sort of official Hasidic rule-enforcing police) and the reader will begin to suspect that this story will not have a fairy tale ending. Devorah realizes that even though she knows Jaxon loves her, and she loves him in return, there is no way for their relationship to have a happy ending. No matter what they do, one or both of them will sacrifice more than they can bear, and it just can't be. It was a bit sad to me. I wanted them to find a way. But while this ending didn't make it the sweet, heartwarming book I was hoping for, it did make it a better book.
Only drawback, it's very slow getting going. After their meeting in the first couple of chapters, very little happens in the first half of the book, other than the reader learning many details about life in a Hasidic Jewish community.
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LibraryThing member acargile
Audiobook sync offered this novel in the summer of 2020. I so enjoyed this novel because it was truly realistic. if you want a romance--it's a realistic romance for teens.

Devorah, a Hasidic Jew, finds herself trapped in an elevator with a black male, Jax. Hasidic females are never allowed to be
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alone with males. They graduate from high school, marry via an arranged marriage and take care of the house and have babies. Devorah epitomizes the "perfect" Jew. She's never questioned anything and followed the requirements. She regrets that she can't continue her education because she does well in school, better than many of the boys, but the path is set. This moment in the elevator raises Devorah's blood pressure, so to speak. Will she get in trouble? What should she do? People find Jax a dependable young man. He keeps his promises, makes good grades, shows up to work, and respects his family. He realizes this young girl is nervous and he wants to assuage her feelings. He tries to get them out and then they determine they're stuck. They strike up a friendship.

The novel then centers on how two people from two vastly different worlds can have a relationship. Neither can forget about the other. For Devorah, this relationship introduces her to a larger world where choice exists and not everything is a sin. Devorah's brother-in-law, Jacob, expresses disdain toward Devoah and expects her to do as he says. After all, he is male and he must protect the family's reputation. He suspects Devorah and certainly does not display any Biblical love towards others. Devorah imagines being married to someone like Jacob and realizes that she loves Jax because he is kind, the opposite of Jacob. Jax appears to be a better man then Jacob. Jax realizes that Devorah is interesting as well as beautiful. He fails to understand how difficult a relationship would be between them. They sneak around. Jaxon just wants to be with her; she wants to be with Jax but also to discover a wider world that she might exist in. Could other choices exist? Can a woman choose love before marriage? What does she want in her future? Is there another way besides the Hasidic way without turning away from the traditions and family in which she finds comfort and peace?

I liked the novel because it's important for teens to think and have choice. I don't live in a place with there is a Jewish population, so my knowledge is woefully inadequate. I liked that Devorah found the strength to experience life and seek her own truth. I liked thinking about the role of women and how some people still see women are inferior. Women can certainly choose to let their husband take the lead in the marriage, stay at home, and obey while raising children. However, these women should allow other women to find a different path and a different relationship. I like that both choices were presented as options. I also liked the realistic ending. I worried it would have a Romeo and Juliet ending. Because I was engrossed the entire reading and liked the realistic ending, I gave it five stars. This novel would make a great high school book club selection because there is so much to discuss and delve in to!
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LibraryThing member Herenya
Two teenagers meet in a New York hospital elevator during a blackout. Devorah is a Hasidic Jew, Jaxon is black. Devorah is not allowed to socialise with boys outside of her family, let alone anyone outside her community, but she and Jaxon keep finding ways to see each other.

This was fascinating,
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but also frustrating -- I was frustrated with Devorah’s culture for making her feel like she would be disowned if she put a foot wrong, and also frustrated, perhaps unfairly, with Jaxon for not fully appreciating the risks Devorah faces. However I liked the ending a lot.
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LibraryThing member Sarah220
The story of a Hasidic Jew teenage girl and a Jamaican teenage boy and their chance meeting. During a hurricane, they get stuck in an elevator together and start to talk. They find themselves immediately attracted to each other and start seeing each other in secret (her family would NOT approve).
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They are both trapped in lives that their parents have planned out for them and are searching for something better.

The peeks into the culture of Hasidism were very interesting (and made me grateful for my UU/atheistic upbringing) and both main characters were very likable. Maybe I'm getting old and crotchety but I had a bit of trouble believing/ understanding the desperate, I'll-die-without-him/her feelings. Despite that, it is still a good story of growing up and finding your place in your family and society.
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ISBN

1595146741 / 9781595146748
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