How to Find What You're Not Looking For

This historical fiction novel follows 12-year-old Ariel Goldberg in 1967, a pivotal year marked by the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court decision. Ariel's life is upended when her older sister elopes with a young man from India, challenging her family's traditional views and creating tension. Simultaneously, Ariel confronts antisemitism in her community and witnesses her family's Jewish bakery facing financial difficulties. The book sensitively explores themes of prejudice, identity, family dynamics, and the courage it takes to stand up for one's beliefs and find one's own voice during a time of significant social change. It's an excellent read for middle schoolers ready for a deeper dive into historical context and personal growth.

New historical fiction from a Newbery Honor–winning author about how middle schooler Ariel Goldberg's life changes when her big sister elopes following the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision, and she's forced to grapple with both her family's prejudice and the antisemitism she experiences, as she defines her own beliefs. Twelve-year-old Ariel Goldberg's life feels like the moment after the final guest leaves the party. Her family's Jewish bakery runs into financial trouble, and her older sister has eloped with a young man from India following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down laws banning interracial marriage. As change becomes Ariel's only constant, she's left to hone something that will be with her always--her own voice.