Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Candlewick (2019), 352 pages
Description
Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: A viral video reveals a teen's dark family history, leaving him to reckon with his heritage, legacy, and identity in this fiery, conversation-starting novel. Eran Sharon knows nothing of his father except that he left when Eran was a baby. Now a senior in high school and living with his protective but tight-lipped mother, Eran is a passionate young man deeply interested in social justice and equality. When he learns that the Houston police have launched a program to increase traffic stops, Eran organizes a peaceful protest. But a heated moment at the protest goes viral, and a reporter connects the Sharon family to a tragedy fifteen years earlier �?? and asks if Eran is anything like his father, a supposed terrorist. Soon enough, Eran is wondering the same thing, especially when the people he's gone to school and temple with for years start to look at him differently. Timely, powerful, and full of nuance, Rafi Mittlefehldt's sophomore novel confronts the prejudices, fears, and strengths of family and community, striking right to the heart of what makes us who we are.… (more)
Awards
National Jewish Book Award (Finalist — Young Adult Literature — 2019)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member NadineC.Keels
I was drawn by this book's description, especially the social justice aspect. Unfortunately, the profanity was a turn-off for me--a bit too much of it before I could get into the story. It's not something I personally enjoyed back as a teenager either (considering this is a young adult novel.)
Even
___________
I received a complimentary copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for an honest review.
Even
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so, the portion I read shows the author's knack for imagery and wry irony.___________
I received a complimentary copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member ireneattolia
very interesting, though i do think it sort of lost the plot a little in the second half
LibraryThing member over.the.edge
What Makes Us
by Rafi Mittlefehldt
due 10-2019
Candlewick
4.0 / 5.0
Amazing story of social justice and teen angst. Looking for the best in people, realizing for many of us, there is or will be, a time we act at our worse.
Eran Sharon is just that guy. Growing up not knowing who his father was and his
At the protest he gets into an argument with one of the protesters of the march, calling them Anti Police. As the argument escalates Eran pushes another man, knocking him over. Many began seeing Eran differently.
Eran finds out the truth about his father's absence, and it is hard for him to accept. The truth about who his father is and his actions at the protest change his life.
Thanks to Goodreads for sending this ARC for review!
by Rafi Mittlefehldt
due 10-2019
Candlewick
4.0 / 5.0
Amazing story of social justice and teen angst. Looking for the best in people, realizing for many of us, there is or will be, a time we act at our worse.
Eran Sharon is just that guy. Growing up not knowing who his father was and his
Show More
mother determined he not find out. Eran was active in his High School Social Justice class, organizing a protest for police reform. He wanted police to stop pulling over people for no apparent reason. They found one after you were pulled over. At the protest he gets into an argument with one of the protesters of the march, calling them Anti Police. As the argument escalates Eran pushes another man, knocking him over. Many began seeing Eran differently.
Eran finds out the truth about his father's absence, and it is hard for him to accept. The truth about who his father is and his actions at the protest change his life.
Thanks to Goodreads for sending this ARC for review!
Show Less
LibraryThing member KarenRendall
This book deals with a teenage boy named Eran who feels things strongly and has passion about issues in the world. He is also unaware of who his father is due to his mother’s choice of never telling him anything about his father. When Eran plans a protest that gets out of hand, the true story of
As a whole, this book does an amazing job at looking at how people are overwhelmed by fear and make very poor choices, blaming the wrong people for the events that have made them afraid. It also looks at how fear can shape our choices and lives on small personal scales as well as large social scales. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in social justice and how easy it is for a community to fall down the path of mob mentality and blaming victims for their own victimisation.
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his father comes to light, shoving Eran into the middle of a media circus not of his own creation. In the process, Eran learns about who he is and who he wants to be. As a whole, this book does an amazing job at looking at how people are overwhelmed by fear and make very poor choices, blaming the wrong people for the events that have made them afraid. It also looks at how fear can shape our choices and lives on small personal scales as well as large social scales. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in social justice and how easy it is for a community to fall down the path of mob mentality and blaming victims for their own victimisation.
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LibraryThing member lenamaybooks
Heartbreaking, beautiful and terrifying all rolled up into one story - an unbelievable tale of terrorism and social injustice. There’s a bit of profanity but that didn’t phase me as it might some others.
LibraryThing member acargile
What Makes Us gives the reader an inside look at anger and the ramifications of secrets.
Eran Sharon passionately supports many causes and harbors the feelings of injustice for everyone. He has a long list of injustices. Even one of his electives revolves around society and injustices where he
Eran cannot imagine the ramifications of this event. Thankfully, the guy has no intentions of pressing charges. Nonetheless, the consequences ensue. So, what happened after the guy fell? Eran's mother, unknowingly to Eran came to the protest to see what her son was into and tells him in front of the cameras, "This is not our fight." He gets in the car with his mother and goes home. A smart reporter picks up on the phrase, "This is not our fight." One phone call. Everything changes.
After Eran finds out the big secret of his life, he cannot possibly concentrate. His friends notice and he tells them what he learned. Jade is one of these friends. She hasn't been around long, but he feels comfortable revealing this dark secret to her and his best friend. While suspended for pushing the guy at a protest from school, Eran has time to deal with all of the changes in his life. Parallel stories, Jade has questions about her life. There's a picture of her that has inconsistencies to her life. There are also topics she isn't allowed to talk about in front of her mother. What's the secret?
The book's main characters are less Eran and Jade and more anger and the ramifications that happen because of secrets. Eran frequently talks about his inability to stop and think. He says he realizes right when he's gone to far, but he can't stop before then. He responds quickly and argues well with people over all different topics. He never learns--he keeps making the same mistake over and over and cannot control his temper. He believes his temper is from his mother until the secret comes out. Would his life had been different if his mother had told him the truth? Would his identity be less anger and one of thoughtful and purposeful action? Could he have stayed anonymous? When secrets are kept for years, others feel the tension. This tension is what causes Jade to feel disconnected.
I don't know if I liked the book. Eran drove me crazy because he couldn't learn. Over and over he committed the same mistakes. I also couldn't believe his epiphany. People told him he had a problem and he just felt he was passionate and it's his mom's fault for having a temper. Taking responsibility is not Eran's strength. It's only when Jade says something that Eran can change. I found this change unbelievable. What I liked about the novel is what IS believable. People are angry. People are angry in America all the time. No one listens. Everyone argues and is prepared to "fight" online, in person, and on social media. It dominates so many peoples' lives just like it does Eran's. He also lives in Texas highlighting the political climate in Texas. Because of this underlying anger, I feel it's the main character and Eran is merely the vehicle. Perhaps that's why I'm ambivalent to whether I like the novel. I'm so tired of the ever present anger as people all feel abused and refuse to take responsibility for their actions when in the throes of their anger. I do think it's worth your time to meet Eran, his mother, and Jade. It'll make you think and, perhaps, be more thoughtful.
Eran Sharon passionately supports many causes and harbors the feelings of injustice for everyone. He has a long list of injustices. Even one of his electives revolves around society and injustices where he
Show More
voices his opinions about everything, including the possibility that violence is sometimes necessary to create change. His mother cannot understand these strong emotions--let everything be someone else's problem is her opinion. Eran is also Israeli, where much prejudice exists. When he organizes a protest against allowing police to have more power, Eran finds he cannot control himself. A spectator argues with one of the other teenage friends of Eran, so Eran rushes over only to forcefully poke his finger in the guy's chest. The guy stumbles backward and falls. Yep--all caught on the news cameras. Eran cannot imagine the ramifications of this event. Thankfully, the guy has no intentions of pressing charges. Nonetheless, the consequences ensue. So, what happened after the guy fell? Eran's mother, unknowingly to Eran came to the protest to see what her son was into and tells him in front of the cameras, "This is not our fight." He gets in the car with his mother and goes home. A smart reporter picks up on the phrase, "This is not our fight." One phone call. Everything changes.
After Eran finds out the big secret of his life, he cannot possibly concentrate. His friends notice and he tells them what he learned. Jade is one of these friends. She hasn't been around long, but he feels comfortable revealing this dark secret to her and his best friend. While suspended for pushing the guy at a protest from school, Eran has time to deal with all of the changes in his life. Parallel stories, Jade has questions about her life. There's a picture of her that has inconsistencies to her life. There are also topics she isn't allowed to talk about in front of her mother. What's the secret?
The book's main characters are less Eran and Jade and more anger and the ramifications that happen because of secrets. Eran frequently talks about his inability to stop and think. He says he realizes right when he's gone to far, but he can't stop before then. He responds quickly and argues well with people over all different topics. He never learns--he keeps making the same mistake over and over and cannot control his temper. He believes his temper is from his mother until the secret comes out. Would his life had been different if his mother had told him the truth? Would his identity be less anger and one of thoughtful and purposeful action? Could he have stayed anonymous? When secrets are kept for years, others feel the tension. This tension is what causes Jade to feel disconnected.
I don't know if I liked the book. Eran drove me crazy because he couldn't learn. Over and over he committed the same mistakes. I also couldn't believe his epiphany. People told him he had a problem and he just felt he was passionate and it's his mom's fault for having a temper. Taking responsibility is not Eran's strength. It's only when Jade says something that Eran can change. I found this change unbelievable. What I liked about the novel is what IS believable. People are angry. People are angry in America all the time. No one listens. Everyone argues and is prepared to "fight" online, in person, and on social media. It dominates so many peoples' lives just like it does Eran's. He also lives in Texas highlighting the political climate in Texas. Because of this underlying anger, I feel it's the main character and Eran is merely the vehicle. Perhaps that's why I'm ambivalent to whether I like the novel. I'm so tired of the ever present anger as people all feel abused and refuse to take responsibility for their actions when in the throes of their anger. I do think it's worth your time to meet Eran, his mother, and Jade. It'll make you think and, perhaps, be more thoughtful.
Show Less
ISBN
0763697508 / 9780763697501