Becoming Brianna by Terri Libenson. © 2020; Harpers Collins Publishers, New York, New York; ISBN: 9780063-057586; 313 pages plus glossary and acknowledgements; PJ Our Way.
By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
As Brianna approaches her 13th birthday, she faces a meaningful decision: whether or not to have a bat mitzvah. Her mother had one, her aunt did not, and her father—who is not Jewish—remains neutral. With her family not particularly religious, the choice feels even heavier. After much reflection, Brianna decides to move forward, seeing it as an opportunity to learn more about Judaism and what it means to her personally.
Becoming Brianna moves back and forth between past and present, showing Brianna as she juggles studying Hebrew, learning the weekly parsha, preparing her speech, and balancing friendships and schoolwork. These shifting timelines highlight both the emotional and practical challenges of growing up while preparing for such an important milestone.
When the big day finally arrives, Brianna is a bundle of nerves. With encouragement from her friends, the cantor, and the rabbi, she’s reminded that she doesn’t have to be perfect—she just needs to do her best.
During her speech, Brianna shares a few jokes and explains that her favorite food in the world is pizza. On their own, dough, tomato sauce, and cheese aren’t all that special—but together, they make something wonderful. In the same way, Brianna explains, her congregation, friends, and family are her “pizza”: her community. It’s a sweet, heartfelt metaphor that resonates with everyone in the room.
The after-party is just as joyful. Guests bring books to donate, the DJ is delightfully silly, and Brianna repairs her friendship with her best friend Emmie. Even the popular girls, Zoe and Olivia, end up dancing alongside them. By the end of the night, Brianna is genuinely happy she went through with her bat mitzvah and excitedly decides to join Sunday school—much to the rabbi’s delight.
Aimed at readers ages 8 to 12, this graphic novel is charming and warm. The illustrations—also by Libenson—are expressive, funny, and full of heart. I found myself smiling (and laughing) as I turned the pages, eager to see what Brianna would face next.
Libenson is also the creator of the Emmie & Friends series and Positively Izzy. While this book connects to that universe, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.