The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
Not found
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Detailed evidence, confidence ratings, and source citations for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD WINNER!
The Chosen meets Adam Silvera in this irreverent and timely story of worlds colliding in friendship, betrayal, and the hatred that divides us.
Hoodie Rosen's life isn't that bad. Sure, his entire Orthodox Jewish community has just picked up and moved to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, but Hoodie's world hasn't changed that much. He's got basketball to play, studies to avoid, and a supermarket full of delicious kosher snacks to eat. The people of Tregaron aren’t happy that so many Orthodox Jews are moving in at once, but that’s not Hoodie’s problem.
That is, until he meets and falls for Anna-Marie Diaz-O’Leary—who happens to be the daughter of the obstinate mayor trying to keep Hoodie’s community out of the town. And things only get more complicated when Tregaron is struck by a series of antisemitic crimes that quickly escalate to deadly violence.
As his community turns on him for siding with the enemy, Hoodie finds himself caught between his first love and the only world he’s ever known.
Isaac Blum delivers a wry, witty debut novel about a deeply important and timely subject, in a story of hatred and betrayal—and the friendships we find in the most unexpected places.
Praise for The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen:
“A deeply authentic story about the terror and glory of encountering the outside world without sacrificing who you are—and who you want to be. It’s touching, tragic, and as Jewish as your Bubbe’s cholent.” –Gavriel Savit, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the Swallow Man
“Blum gives the common but often-dismissed spiritual journey of many teens the respect it deserves in this witty, profound look at cross-cultural friendship, courageous honesty, and how a willingness to truly see and love our neighbors can change an entire community.” –Vesper Stamper, National Book Award-nominated author of What the Night Sings
“A refreshingly human look at the day-to-day nuances of Orthodox Judaism and the terror of modern antisemitism. I laughed, I gasped, I craved kosher Starburst. Two thumbs up from this nice Jewish girl!” –Tyler Feder, Sydney Taylor Award-winning author of Dancing at the Pity Party
“Bold, brave, and brutally honest, it holds a permanent piece of my heart.” –Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer
"Isaac Blum has the rare talent of telling searing, visceral truths in a witty, funny, punchy way . . . The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen is a vital voice in Jewish YA canon." –Katherine Locke, Sydney Taylor Honor author of The Girl with the Red Balloon
Frequently asked questions
Is The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The narrative includes incidents of antisemitic crimes that escalate to violence, impacting the protagonist's life and community. The story addresses the consequences of these violent acts within the context of the protagonist's experiences. No scary content or themes are indicated in the search results.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have violence?
The narrative includes incidents of antisemitic crimes that escalate to violence, impacting the protagonist's life and community. The story addresses the consequences of these violent acts within the context of the protagonist's experiences.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have scary content?
No scary content or themes are indicated in the search results.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have religious themes?
The book explores themes of Orthodox Jewish faith, including the protagonist's questioning of his beliefs and the expectations of his community. It addresses the cultural and religious dynamics within an Orthodox Jewish context.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have racial/cultural content?
The book addresses themes of prejudice and antisemitism, particularly in the context of the protagonist's experiences as a Jewish individual in a non-Jewish community. It explores the impact of racial and religious identity on the characters' lives.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have profanity?
No instances of profanity are mentioned in the search results related to the book.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions are present in the search results related to the book.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have sexual identity?
The book features themes of forbidden first love, indicating romantic and potentially sexual elements as the protagonist navigates his feelings. However, specific details about sexual content are not provided in the search results.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have gender roles?
No specific discussions about gender roles are mentioned in the search results related to the book.
Does The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results related to the book. The focus is on the protagonist's experiences within an Orthodox Jewish community and his first love.
