Ain't It Funny
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Penguin Putnam Inc
Published:15th Oct '24
£15.99
Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.
Eleven-year-old Maya’s life is bit of a mess. Her dad just moved out to pursue his stand-up comedy dreams, her mum seems more preoccupied with running the family’s Russian deli than getting Dad back, and Maya’s anxiety and germ worries have only been heightening. Her grandma always tells her “slozi goryu ne pomozhet” - tears won’t help sorrow - but right now it’s hard to be strong. So when her teacher Ms. Banta announces the talent show, Maya sees an opportunity. If she can perform stand-up comedy in the show, she can prove to her mum and dad that comedy has a place in all their lives and try to bring them together again. But conquering her fears amidst her family falling apart and a growing hot-hot-hot feeling inside is easier said than done . . . In this authentic novel full of both humour and heartbreak, Margaret Gurevich crafts a story about comedy, fractured family, and learning how strength comes in many forms.
“A novel that made me laugh, then cry, and stayed with me long after I finished reading.”—Stacy McAnulty, author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
“Maya’s genuine and hopeful spirit captivated me from the start! I rooted for her as she skillfully navigated the humorous challenges of working in her grandmother’s Russian store, negotiated growing family and school anxieties, and geared up for her debut as a stand-up comedian. Ain’t It Funny is a story that’s wholly original, bighearted, and empowering—just like Maya herself.”—Jennifer Richard Jacobson, author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things
"Themes of bullying, friendship difficulties, and mental health support are handled with sensitivity and authenticity. Budding comedians will also enjoy the humor and the useful sections that explain the process of creating a joke, along with tips for performing stand-up routines . . . A culturally textured, heartfelt story of dislocation and growth."—Kirkus Reviews
"Beyond mental health representation, Gurevich imbues the narrative with Russian Jewish heritage by featuring some traditional Russian dishes, Chanukah, and Russian cultural beliefs, such as adhering firmly to reserved displays of emotions. Gurevich has created an earnest but nervous protagonist in Maya, reflective of anxious adolescents today."—Booklist
ISBN: 9780593659434
Dimensions: 216mm x 145mm x 24mm
Weight: 352g
240 pages