wishing and worrying and working together

Ellie Glantz may only be 11, but she knows how important it is to keep her family deli open. Lukshen Deli has been in her family for generations. Now it belongs to her grandparents and her parents, and Ellie is hoping to take it over one day. But there is talk that the deli may not last that long. Business is down, and her parents are having closed-door meetings about the future of the deli, the future of their home, and the future of the family.

But Ellie has a secret power. She can make wishes on her Bubbie’s Chicken and Matzo Ball Soup. When the soup is simmering on the stove, Ellie can stand over it and whisper wishes into its warm deliciousness. It’s worked before, so when Ellie tries it again, wishing to keep the deli open, she hopes it will work again.

Ellie has ideas about how to bring more people into the restaurant, but she’s just a kid. Will anyone really listen to her ideas? Will they try the delivery, the rewards program, and the idea of making the deli a place where Jews could come in the evening to pray and connect, when the synagogue can no longer offer an evening prayer?

And while Ellie is worrying about the restaurant and her family, things are changing with her friends too. A new girl at school moves from Chicago, and she makes friends with Ellie’s friends, making Ellie feel a little left out. Her best friend Ava is struggling with her mother’s new relationship status, and Ellie is trying to support her through that. But again, she’s just 11. When she has a panic attack at school, the nurse gives Ellie some advice about taking deep breaths and remembering that she is just 11.

Will Ellie’s new mental tools be enough to help her through a family illness, an important business meeting about the deli, and whatever else the future holds? Will her wishes on the soup protect her and the deli from the worst? And can she figure out how to be 11 and let go of some of her worries?

Ellie’s Deli is a charming story about family connections, dealing with worry, and figuring out how to live your best life, even if you’re just a kid. Ellie and her family deal with a lot of serious issues, and they do that with intelligence and compassion. The issues with Ellie’s mental health can offer kids support and encouragement for the worries they carry as well as ideas for facing their worries head on and communicating with those around them about what they’re thinking and feeling.

But Ellie’s Deli offers more than just a compelling story and charming characters. Every chapter also has a recipe for a popular Jewish American food, like the Matzo Balls, chicken soup, challah, and rugelach.

Ellie’s Deli is a sweet story of being 11 and wanting to make a difference, and it delivers on so many levels. It would make a great gift for your favorite young reader or young cook wanting to know more about Jewish American dishes.

Egalleys for Ellie’s Deli were provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss, with many thanks.