The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen

In "The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen," longlisted for the National Book Award, Hoodie Rosen navigates the complexities of life as his Orthodox Jewish community relocates to the predominantly non-Jewish town of Tregaron. What begins as a typical teenage existence filled with basketball and kosher snacks spirals into turmoil when he falls for Anna-Marie Diaz-O’Leary, the mayor's daughter, amidst a backdrop of rising antisemitism and community division. Isaac Blum's debut novel offers a poignant exploration of love, friendship, and the impact of cultural clashes, all while addressing the pressing issues of hatred and acceptance.