Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy. This science fiction novel is about Finn and Ezra, two boys who become stuck in a time loop over the weekend of their bar mitzvahs, which just happen to be at the same hotel in New Jersey. Ezra comes from a big family, having four siblings, and feels ignored, while Finn is an only child doted upon by his parents even though he doesn't have any real friends. Although they don't have much in common, both boys are unexcited about reliving their bar mitzvahs over and over again and just want to move forward and grow up. After they meet each other and realize they're not alone, they come up with different schemes to break the loop. Despite trying everything they can think of, nothing works and they get more desperate and frustrated with each plan. As they believe they're getting closer to finally being free from the time loop, they begin to realize they may have to deal with their real life problems first.

I enjoyed this book so much. It was exciting and funny, but at the same time, there were truly moving moments, especially as the story gradually revealed the challenges that the families of Ezra and Finn were facing. The different plans that the two boys devised were absolutely hilarious, and I was surprised when some of them actually worked. It made me feel bad, though, when they hurt the people they cared about with their schemes. They also got in trouble a lot when they weren't successful. It was obvious how frustrated they were getting, particularly when they clashed with each other. There was even a plot twist towards the end that made a lot of sense in hindsight. Additionally, I liked how the author incorporated the Jewish ritual of bar mitzvah and how family was an important theme through Finn and Ezra growing to appreciate their families over the course of the story. The end was delightful and there was one final reveal in the last chapter that completely shocked me. I never thought Finn would actually be right about one of his theories. I had a great time reading Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop and I'd recommend it to any kid who enjoy humor, family stories, and/or science fiction.