3.5 stars.jewish-life lois-ruby-collection5 s Liz Friend979 95

The story: EDDIE WHATEVER, by Lois Ruby (grades 4-7) - Eddie needs a service project for his upcoming bar mitzvah, and his mom isn’t taking “no” for an answer when she signs him up to do twice-weekly visits to the oldsters...ahem, “seniors”...at the Silver Brook residential facility. He never expected to actually develop friendships with the inmates...ahem, residents...or run into gangsters, hear stories of the Holocaust, or be searching for ghosts. But once he recruits Tessa, the girl he wishes was his girlfriend, to help so she can get bat mitzvah hours, he’s in it for the long haul. At least, until he’s accused of being the thief who’s making off with the residents’ valuables and then banned from the premises. What can he do to clear his name and get his senior friends to trust him again?

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (abandoned seniors) PG; overall rating PG. Best for grades 4-7.

Liz's comments: Lois Ruby has come up with a winning, although unexpected, combination of mystery, intrigue, and social commentary, interlaced with wisecracks and school woes. Eddie’s middle-school voice is spot on, his love of baseball will appeal to sports fans, and his bar mitzvah preparation will enlighten younger readers who’ve never actually known a Jewish person. Although there’s a lot crammed into this fun and funny story, the frenetic pace of Eddie’s life will appeal to readers of the target audience, and his good heart and eventual friendship with the seniors at Silver Brook are heart-warming.contemporary-fiction mystery2 s L.M.Author 3 books13

Every once in a while that rare book comes along that really means something to you. The kind of book where you read the last page and then sit in silence for a bit, absorbing the experience you just had. This is one of those books. I wanted to turn right back to page 1 and start all over again.

Eddie Lewin is volunteering at a retirement facility as part of his bar mitzvah project. To say he's not excited about it is an understatement and on his first day he's literally counting the minutes until he'll be able to leave. But he quickly realizes that his initial assessment of Silver Brook is wrong. He finds sanctuary there, he finds adventure, he finds friends, and he learns to appreciate people for more than what he sees and hears on the outside.

There is so much going on in this book that not a single paragraph is missing action, emotion, growth, discovery. Eddie isn't necessarily a flawed person, he's simply a typical, inward-focused adolescent. Throughout the course of the book he becomes a better person and begins to truly become a man as he opens his mind and heart to the people he's helping serve. It was so heartwarming to read about the things he does for people he initially didn't think he wanted to have anything to do with.

To avoid spoilers I'll simply tell you that you need to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.read-childrens2 s Laura2,903 83

The basic story is the Eddie has to do some community service by working at a senior citizens home, in preparation for his bar-mitzvah.

This is a bit of a mystery, in that while Eddie is making friends with all the seniors, there is a woman who says that her sister is haunting the place, and things keep going missing. Who is taking things, and is there really a ghost, when everyone says that the woman never had a sister?

And then Eddie is accused of being the thief, so he really has to solve the mystery.

A slightly slow story, which I didn't really get interested in, until Eddie started getting interested in the seniors, and their past, which happened about the 40% mark. Up until then, I really didn't care about anything that was happening.

Once we and Eddie gets to know these people, and care about them then there is more to the story. And we find out about the missing sister, and the mysterious voices in the heating vents, and all the things that work together, along with red herrings, to solve the mystery.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.contemporary jewish middle-grade ...more1 Jan5,479 78


Eddie is an ordinary kid preparing for his Bar Mitzvah and that includes community service at the local care home. He also has some problems in his home life that the parents don't want the kids to know about. While at the home he learns that the old folks are interesting once he takes the time to listen to them, even when some of them repeat the same things over and over or don't talk at all. He even learns things about the holocaust and even about gangsters. Then the thefts begin and his sleuthing follows soon after.Excellent story!
I can testify to the changes that can happen to young folk when they spend time with folks at care home as I worked as a second shift nurse in them for several years.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Lerner Publishing Group, Carolrhoda Books ® via NetGalley. Thank you!










eddie is an ordinarbar-mitzvah care-center falsely-accused ...more1 Julie513 9

I read this book with my 13 year old son -- it's probably better for a younger audience, but we both enjoyed the light-hearted mystery. We both sympathized with Eddie, when his bat mitzvah volunteer project unexpectedly turns into something much more.1 Lenabean48 1 follower

I really d all the characters. I think the dog was the funniest. I loved all the old people to they were very funny. It was a good book. 1 Tonya518

This book had so many plots. I couldn’t keep up with what it was exactly about other than a boy doing his bar mitzvah program in a nursing home and building a robot and just a lot a lot and a complete waste of time to read.1 Carolyn Bragg374 6

Eddie's life is busy. But is it full? He doesn't find out until he's forced to spend 25 hours doing community service. At an old-folks home! His grandparents aren't this old, so he wonders how to fill 2 hours a week...refilling water pitchers?

He was silly to worry! How ly is it, really, that a young boy (working toward his bar mitzvah) could work that long without some odd things happening? The first day begins with a ghost. Another unexpected thing is that he begins to care about the people; a lot. Thefts and shady pasts are uncovered! Then things get even more difficult!

Stuff at home is tense too. Eddie's parents think they're protecting their kids by hiding a secret. But kids always know when something is wrong, and their fears are torture! After some parental honesty, things go better at home, but other problems become almost unmanageable.

This book has funny moments, embarrassing kid moments, successes, and mystery. But the primary story is about how Eddie discovers a new world through these "old seniors," and the things he learns and experiences change who he is. Some are fun, some are serious, but he has the support of friends, a wonderful family, and a group of residents who won't bother to remember his last name--in case he doesn't stay. In time, he learns to love the name Eddie Whatever.

The mystery moves the story along, but it's more character-driven. Memorable and thoughtful; it's a refreshing look into the lives of good people with positive intentions.

This book would make a great gift for kids interested in the Jewish culture in America, in middle-school, relationships, and a light mystery.

5/5 Stars

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the preview of this ebook!

#EddieWhatever #NetGalley Becky B8,230 130

Eddie has to do a community service project as one of his bar mitvah requirements. His mom signs him up to volunteer at the Silver Brook Pavilion retirement home. Eddie feels he already has enough on his plate with the robotics club (which has hit a major road block), baseball team (still yet to win a game), and worrying about whatever has made his dad so mopey and caused his parents to fight behind closed doors. He isn't sure if he can handle volunteering at the retirement home. The people there are...odd, and some of the residents inform him the place is haunted by the twin of the lady who s to guard the front door. As the days pass, the residents do start to grow on Eddie. And when more and more things go missing, blamed on the ghost, Eddie starts to think there may be a very un-supernatural answer. But can he catch the thief before he goes down for the crime and loses his chance at completing his bar mitvah?

I absolutely loved this. The quirky residents of Silver Brook really grow on the reader as they grow on Eddie. They are by turns hilarious and moving. I loved how the story showed the value of intergenerational friendships (for both parties), and how meaningful just being there to listen can be to someone. Eddie's friend Tessa also doing community service is a fun addition to the story and partner in investigation for Eddie; and Eddie's little genius sister Gabby is such a hoot. She only appears sporadically, but she's amazing when she shows up. I think Lois Ruby should totally do a book on Gabby too. Highly recommended.

Notes on content: One of the ladies at the home survived the Holocaust and she tells Eddie her story and also about the family she lost. The details are kept sparse, but it is sobering. Some people are falsely accused of theft.contemporary-fiction middle-grade-ficiton multicultural ...more Sarahs Reads ToKids441 2

I would recommend this book to readers between the ages of 10 to 12 years old and grades 4, 5, and 6.

Eddie needs to do a community service project to complete his hours so he can have his bar mitzvah. He needs to get the hours in soon. So his mom signs him up to help at a retirement home in town where he can go over two times a week after school.

This story starts off about a kid trying to juggle all the things on his plate that he has going on. Not only does he have school and his mitzvah project but he plays baseball and is on the school’s robotics team too. And then family issues come up and make home life hard. Eddie also tries to make his robotics team project helpful to one of the residents at the retirement home. And he encourages one of his mitzvah classmates to join him back at the retirement home to finish out her hours. But Tessa ran off the last time because she didn’t it there so Eddie tries to make things go smoothly for her this time.

The story has a three mysteries going on. The first is there is something up with his parents. Eddie and his sister try to figure that out together. The second mystery is about a resident. Lina can make things difficult around the nursing home. Eddie takes his time with her and doesn’t let her grumpy and sour disposition get to him. Through Eddie’s patience, he finds out a really sad story about Lina’s past and how it effected her life story. And the third mystery is the biggest one. Residents are missing valuables and it all started happening when Eddie showed up. Is that coincidence? If Eddie didn’t steal from the residents, then who did and why?

The story was interesting but I thought the pace of the story was inconsistent. It kind of dragged through the first part and then went super speed in the last half.

My first thoughts at the beginning of the book, was that this would be a great book for all middle grade readers to read. But if you haven’t talked to your younger reader about WWII, Lina’s story might be really upsetting. I also thought that older middle grade readers might find the pace of the book to slow to stick with it.10-to-12 chapter-book Kim969 10

The story was OK - it just didn’t mesh with the kid telling it, nor the expectation that the scenario might be plausible. Some parts were too basic, some too advanced, some too obvious, some just oh really?! There were lots of lessons being taught and to be learned, lots of religious information and tradition, some humor, however it was a tick off - all of it. “But suddenly words begin to form in the back of my mind - the kernel of the nucleus of an atom of a quark of an idea.” Now that is a great thought and perhaps the best line in the book.

Eddie Whatever to the rescue - but whose? I love children’s books as well as YA but this one missed the mark for me. Another issue I found troubling was the less than honest and often bad behavior, rule breaking, and wonder about the lesson of justification being offered.

Thank you NetGalley and Carolrhoda Books for a copy Dawn825

Eddie must do a service project for his upcoming bar mitzvah. He chooses to do service hours at a local retirement home with some motivation from his mother. There he finds that he actually s being there and that the residents aren't so bad. When some of the residents valuables come up missing, blame is pushed on him. It is up to him to solve the mystery of who is really stealing the items.
Opinion
This is a great middle school novel. The mystery is appropriate to middle schoolers and is consuming. I certainly had my villain picked out from the beginning but it was fun to see blame cast on different characters throughout. This would make a great addition to school and classroom libraries. I think students will devour this book.
Many thanks to Lerner Publishing Group and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book. Emilee (emileereadsbooks)1,400 31

Thank you Netgalley and Carolrhoda Books for the gifted book!

Sometimes a book pleasantly surprises you by being so much more layered than you expected, and this book fits that description for me. Eddie is sent to a senior citizens home to do some community service in preparation for his bar-mitzvah, but as he is making friends with all the seniors, their stuff starts to go missing! When he is accused of being the thief, he has to clear his name. I loved the relationships between Eddie and his family and the seniors and how the problems of the seniors were well represented for a middle grade audience. I flew through this read and enjoyed every fun and sweet second.

Content Warning: Description of the Holocaust Beth Hommes369 1 follower

As part of Eddie’s preparation for his bar mitzvah he must do a service project. Though he is busy after school with baseball and robotics, he begins working two afternoons a week at a senior home. Over time he becomes quite fond of some of the residents and learns a lot about some of their histories. He helps to solve a mystery involving missing jewelry and money from residents’ rooms. I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and easy read. I recommend it to 6-8th graders. It would be a good addition to middle and upper elementary school libraries. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. RainyDayReader270 8



My first Lois Ruby book was enjoyable. I related to Eddie as I have also enjoyed volunteering with older people. The relationships he forms are touching and so fun to read about. The mystery element, along with history brought in added layers that young readers are sure to appreciate and learn from. I loved Zippy and watching as Eddie developed the deeper friendships with residents.

This story follows Eddie who is preparing for his Bar Mitzvah with community service hours. His mom sets him up to volunteer at an assisted living home, which he is not excited about. When he arrives he realizes the residents are not what he imagined and there may be a thief and/or ghost on the loose.

I did however feel the “romance” was just a crush. And I would have d to see more interaction between Eddie and the senior because there was so much potential there. Emily282 1 follower

Thanks to #NetGalley, Lois Ruby, and the publisher for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Eddie "Whatever" is a Jewish baseball loving boy from Oklahoma is working to complete his project for his upcoming bar mitzvah. Eddie ends up volunteering at a senior living facility. The seniors call him, "Eddie Whatever".
When things begin to go missing and Eddie ends up a suspect, he must enlist help to clear his name and make it to his bar mitzvah.
I loved this story! I think Eddie could be very relatable to young teens and readers a. I look forward to recommending this book to others! Molly430

Eddie Whatever is a plucky kid just trying to do what he’s been told he has to in order to complete the qualifications for his bar mitzvah. To do this, he has to volunteer at an old folks’ home. At first he’s nervous, and then he starts to get to know and love the men and women at the home. And then he finds himself in the middle of a crime wave and he’s the main suspect! I enjoyed this middle grades novel and give it 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Stormi (StormReads)1,876 178

I think this is probably my favorite contemporary middle grade books I have read. Grant it I haven't read a lot because I don't normally go for the contemporary ones. I am also a fan of books with fun seniors in them.

In this one Eddie needs to do a Mitzvah project and his mom signs him up to work at Silver Creek a retirement home and he meets all sorts of interesting characters and while there someone is stealing for the seniors and when Eddie is accused he must figure out who is behind it.

Super cute, tugs at your heartstrings and just a lot of fun! Martha Simpson75

Eddie has to do 25 hours of community service for his bar mitzvah at a nursing home. He expects to be bored, but bonds with the seniors, several of whom are Jewish. He is accused by the administrator of stealing valuables and decides to do some detective work (along with Tessa who is doing bat mitzvah hours there) to find the real culprit. Lots of humor and empathy, and a touching revelation of a woman who survived the Holocaust but her twin sister and parents didn't. A humorous mystery for middle graders. Crystal Palmisano-Dillard486 11

Eddie begins volunteering at a local retirement home as a part of his bar mitzvah preparation. He is NOT looking forward to it, but finds how just his interesting the residents are if you listen.

He shortly discovers a mystery, helps a lonely resident find connection and more.

His connection with the residents, particularly Lina, also help him finder a deeper connection to his family’s past and history. Eileen Winfrey973 6

Eddie Lewin is assigned (by his mother) to do his Bar Mitzvah community service hours at an old folks home. He does this reluctantly until he begins to get to know the residents. Then, he is accused of stealing from them. As he goes about trying to find the actual thief Eddie uncovers lots of things about the residents that he wasn’t expecting. I wasn’t totally following who was who (some of the characters just made basic appearances) but the story was fairly humorous and the ending satisfying.middle-grade Kathleen McKim599 7

Cute middle grade novel. To finish his community service project for his Bar Mitzvah, Eddie goes to Silver Brook Pavilion where he encounters residents with stories to tell. With his friend, Tessa, he ends up solving a mystery and learning a thing or two in the process. Recommend without reservations. Melody Shafer17

I how the author built the relationships between the adolescent main character and the senior citizens. She utilized the quirkiness of aging to form endearing relationships with the young boy. By weaving in a little mystery, she kept the story from dragging, and kept it interesting. This was a nice read I was able to complete in a day.fiction young-adult Suzy817

Eddie has to do 25 of community service for his Bar Mitzvah. He ends up at a retirement community that has a mystery going on. He learns more about his family and his heritage through getting to know Lina.
Eddie is funny, but the story is a little slow at times.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC! JacquelineAuthor 95 books89

After volunteering in a senior citizen residence to fulfill a Bar Mitzvah project requirement, thirteen year old Eddie is framed for burglaries he did not commit. Determined to clear his name, he teams up with another religious school classmate in this fun middle grade mystery.
Andréa11.7k 112 Want to read

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.arc digital kids ...more Ileana RenfroeAuthor 32 books49

Very well written children's book. Eddie Whatever is relatable with an interesting storyline. I highly recommend this book. Mnmstaten153 1 follower

This was a fun new read from a great middle grade author! Caitlin463

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