Joel Silver (YoYo) loves to be a comedian and to play practical jokes. However, when he, his twin sister Ellie (YaYa) and the rest of their fifth-grade Hebrew school class find something surprising in the synagogue's sukkah just before the holiday of Sukkot, it's no laughing matter. Where did the mysterious four-legged visitor come from? What will become of it? Their unexpected adventure brings Joel and Ellie face to face with the importance of shelter and caring for those in need.

Shaking in the Shack: (YaYa & YoYo, Book 2)

Children's Books

Weinstein, Dori

Literature & Fiction

Five Flames Press

Thrill-loving fifth grader Ellie Silver (YaYa) has been waiting all summer to visit the brand new indoor water park in town. She is ecstatic when her best friend, Megan, invites her to go-that is until her twin brother, Joel (YoYo), points out that Megan is going on Rosh Hashanah. Sure, Rosh Hashanah is a big deal, but so is Splash World! What will Ellie do?

Sliding into the New Year: (YaYa & YoYo, Book 1)

Ellie Silver (YaYa) doesn’t think she believes in superstition. Yet it seems like lately everywhere she goes and everything she touches brings bad luck. She thinks she may have even upset something called the Ayin Hara, also known as “The Evil Eye.” Ellie has been counting down the minutes until she, her twin brother Joel (YoYo), and older brother Jeremy will be in their favorite aunt’s wedding. But with all the unfortunate events leading up to the wedding, Ellie wonders if it will just be one gigantic disaster. And how much of that will be her fault? She needs to figure out how to get rid of the bad luck--and fast!

Hoopla Under the Huppah: (YaYa & YoYo, Book 3)

Review\nIn a Latke Trouble is the fourth installment in Dori Weinstein's series about the Silver family and the charming, fun, creative way they celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions. This time, the Silver twins, nicknamed YoYo and YaYa based on their Hebrew names of Yoel and Yael, gleefully anticipate Hanukkah. They have formed a club with their schoolmates in which they dare one another to complete a series of challenges. A creative lesson by a marvelous educator who is their "shul school" rabbi, some wise decisions by their parents, and a wholesome, sincere attitude shown by the children themselves help them understand that there are many lessons in the popular holiday that are not apparent at first glance. Ultimately, YoYo and YaYa learn that challenges can be broader than the ones they had anticipated and can include helping others and deepening their understanding of their places in the world.\nThe story is packed with well-researched information about Hanukkah but focuses most intensely on the broader lessons inherent in its celebration including kindness, thoughtfulness, respect, and rededication to goals, all inspired by what the children have learned about the Maccabees. Humor abounds, intertwining with the deeper lessons learned and resulting in a book that is thoroughly entertaining but also provides more than the standard Hanukkah fare. Middle grade readers will have fun and will also walk away with a renewed appreciation for the holiday.\nMichal Hoschander Malen 
Jewish Book Council\nJoel (YoYo) Silver loves to play practical jokes and make people laugh. Just when he decides to stop pranking people and focus instead on wowing a crowd with magic and juggling, his buddies start a “challenge” club, daring each other to contests and pranks. When the dares go beyond his comfort zone, Joel has to decide if he should take the risk or stand up to the pressure that his friends are putting on him. Meanwhile, it’s almost Hanukkah. Joel and his twin sister Ellie (YaYa) are learning about the Maccabees, the ancient Jews who refused to give up their way of life despite enormous pressure from the Greeks. Joel discovers that peer pressure and making good (and not-so-good) decisions can be almost as tough as being a Maccabee!

In a Latke Trouble: (YaYa & YoYo, Book 4)

Thrill-loving fifth grader Ellie "YaYa" Silver has been waiting all summer to visit the brand new indoor water park in town. She is ecstatic when her best friend, Megan, invites her to go-that is until her twin brother, Joel (YoYo), points out that Megan is going on Rosh Hashanah. Sure, Rosh Hashanah is a big deal, but so is Splash World! What will Ellie do?

Sliding into the New Year (Yaya & Yoyo)

Yotzeret Pub Inc