What Makes Us

(Paperback)

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Description

A viral video reveals a teens dark family history, leaving him to reckon with his heritage, legacy, and identity in this fiery, conversation-starting novel.

Eran Sharon knows nothing of his father except that he left when Eran was a baby. Now a senior in high school and living with his protective but tight-lipped mother, Eran is a passionate young man deeply interested in social justice and equality. When he learns that the Houston police have launched a program to increase traffic stops, Eran organizes a peaceful protest. But a heated moment at the protest goes viral, and a reporter connects the Sharon family to a tragedy fifteen years earlier and asks if Eran is anything like his father, a supposed terrorist. Soon enough, Eran is wondering the same thing, especially when the people hes gone to school and temple with for years start to look at him differently. Timely, powerful, and full of nuance, Rafi Mittlefehldts sophomore novel confronts the prejudices, fears, and strengths of family and community, striking right to the heart of what makes us who we are.

Reviews

What Makes Us is a heart-stopping, heartbreaking read a book full of heart. Mittlefehldts thoughtful, nuanced exploration of identity pulled me in from the very first page, and I could barely put it down. Erans story takes a universal coming-of-age theme finding out your parents arent who you thought they were to a tightly wound and thrilling extreme. Most important, this book provides satisfying, much-needed representation of a contemporary, complex Jewish teen and his family.
Lisa Rosinsky, author of Inevitable and Only

This coming-of-age story has heftand much relevance. Strong medicine for readers interested in how society accepts or rejects those who are different. An excellent choice for mature audiences.
School Library Journal

There are layers of deep meaning in this taut novel that feel like it came directly from the headlines with all the frenzy of social media. The well-drawn characters and believable dialogue are sure to inspire critical thinking and impassioned debate, for students will see themselves clearly in both the character of Eran and the maelstrom of current events that will be all too relevant to them.
School Library Connection

Provocative.
Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Rafi Mittlefehldt is a writer who has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance theater critic, and childrens author. His debut novel was It Looks Like This. Rafi Mittlefehldt lives with his husband in New York City.