“A wonderful book about figuring out who we are and who we want to be when we grow up. It’s also about being an American—especially a first-generation American.” —Roz Chast.
It’s 1950s New York, and Marisabina Russo is being raised Catholic and attending a Catholic school that she loves—but when she finds out that she’s Jewish by blood, and that her family members are Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, her childhood is thrown into turmoil. To make matters more complicated, her father is out of the picture, her mother is ambitious and demanding, and her older half brothers have troubles, too. Following the author’s young life from first grade to her teens in the tumultuous, liberating 1960s, this is a heartfelt, unexpectedly humorous, and meticulously illustrated memoir. In her graphic-novel debut, the author explores the childhood burdens of memory and guilt, and her struggle and success in forming an identity entirely her own.
Book Genres Autobiography/Biography, Graphic Novels
Canadian Rights Yes
Dewey B
Title alpha Why Is Everybody Yelling?: Growing up in My Immigrant Family
Level Biography High Plus
Pages Count 240
Genre Nonfiction
Topics Marisabina Russo (1950– ). Childhood and youth. Identity (psychology). Jews. New York State. Families. Women. Family life. Holocaust survivors. Catholicism. Catholics. The 1960s. Mothers and daughters. New York City. Memoirs.
Lexile HL610L
Trim Size 9" x 7"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2021-10-25
JLG Release Date Feb 2022
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
Biography High Plus (Grades 9 & Up)
Biography High Plus
Biography High Plus (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
Fascinating biographies and compelling personal stories that provide a view into history or perspective on the issues of our times.
Crime: Punishment/Execution,Discrimination: Reference/Discussion,Discrimination: Religious,Discrimination: Sexism,Discrimination: Sexuality,Language: Moderate Language,Sexual Content: Contact Between Adult and Minor,Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes,Violence: Gun Violence,Violence: Suicide,Violence: War/Harsh Realities of War