Yoyo Gold has always played the role of the perfect Jewish daughter. She keeps kosher, looks after her siblings, and volunteers at the local food bank. She respects the decisions of her rabbi father and encourages her friends to observe the rules of their Orthodox faith. But when she sees her best friend cast out of the community over a seemingly innocent transgression, Yoyo's eyes are opened to the truth of her neighbours' hypocrisies for the first time. And what she sees leaves her shocked and unmoored. As Yoyo's frustration builds, so does the pressure to speak out, even if she can only do so anonymously on TikTok, an app that's always been forbidden to her. But when one of her videos goes viral - and her decisions wind up impacting not only her own life but also her relationship with the boy she's falling for - Yoyo's world is thrown into chaos. She is forced to choose which path to take, for her community, for her family, and most importantly, for herself. Award-winning author Isaac Blum returns with a new novel that asks what it really means to be part of a community - and what it means to break free.

About the Author
Isaac Blum (he/him) is the National Book Award-longlisted and Morris Award-winning author of The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen. He's taught English at several colleges and universities, and at Orthodox Jewish and public schools. He lives with his wife in Philadelphia, where he watches sports and reads books that make him laugh while showing him something true about the world. You can visit Isaac online at IsaacBlumAuthor.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @IsaacBlum_.

Reviews
Praise for The Judgment of Yoyo Gold:

NPR Books We Love A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Horn Book Best Book of the Year ALA's Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top Ten Title Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of the Year New York Public Library Best Books for Teens

* "Blum's depiction of a teenage Orthodox Jewish girl is remarkable in its precision and authenticity, along with the depth he gives Yoyo as she experiences life outside her community and contemplates her future. [C]onvincing and appealing." -Booklist, STARRED review

* "[E]ach potential hot-button issue is handled with delicacy and nuance . . . the characters have dimension and agency, and Yoyo models a level of integrity that feels both genuine and aspirational." -Horn Book Magazine, STARRED review

"A deeply modern and moving YA novel set in a tightly closed community, this book is a near-perfect exploration of teen self-discovery." -NPR

"A nuanced novel about finding oneself amid the perceived constraints and comforts of one's environment." -Publishers Weekly

"A kosher coming-of-age story with a bissel of romance." -Kirkus Reviews






Awards
Short-listed for National Jewish Book Award 2025.



Book Information
ISBN 9780593525852
Author Isaac Blum
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Philomel Books,U.S.
Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
Weight(grams) 408g
Dimensions(mm) 217mm * 149mm * 26mm