ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Marylandian -- A magical Bat Mitzvah gift gets out of control and thrusts a girl into a supernatural quest with the fate of the world at stake in this "refreshing, fast-paced" (School Library Journal) middle grade adventure that's perfect for fans of Aru Shah.

Naomi Teitelbaum is so ready for her Bat Mitzvah. Her prayers are memorized, and she's definitely got a handle on her Torah portion (well, almost). Then she gets a mysterious gift: a tiny clay Golem. To Naomi's shock, it comes to life—and obeys her every command.

At first, this small magical helper seems like the best Bat Mitzvah gift ever. But with each command, the Golem grows…and gets harder to hide. And creepy, unnatural creatures like dybbuks, demons, and a congregation of ghosts have started following Naomi around. To keep herself out of trouble and the Golem out of harm's way, Naomi gives the Golem well-intended instructions: save the world.

More on Marylandian

• American Garden Rose Selections™ Announces 2024 Winners
• Boutique Consulting Firm with Unique Project Leadership Offering is Now GSA Approved
• Robotics and Automation are Driving Demand for Upgraded Warehouse Management Systems concludes new report from the Mobile Robot Directory
• Governor Wes Moore Declares October as Maryland Apple Month with "Take A Bite of Maryland" Promotion
• Doctors for Cannabis Regulation Rebrands as Doctors for Drug Policy Reform

Unfortunately, this leaves more room for interpretation than Naomi thought. Before long, the Golem is wreaking havoc all over Los Angeles, and only Naomi and her friends can stop it.

"Shanker has created a refreshing, fast-paced book, while centering a culture often overlooked in middle grade fiction. Full of adventure and Jewish ­traditions and customs, Jewish readers will relish in recognizing their own culture, while other kids will root for good over evil and learn about the ­Jewish faith along the way."

– School Library Journal

Metamorphosis Literary Agency

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Naomi-Teitelbaum-Ends-the-World/Samara-Shanker/Golems-and-Goblins/9781665905022