Ain't It Funny - by Margaret Gurevich

Book Synopsis

For fans of Stand Up, Yumi Chung! and The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl comes an honest and heartfelt novel about a girl who's determined not to let her growing anxiety and OCD hold her back from using stand-up comedy to get her parents back together. Now in paperback!

Eleven-year-old Maya's life is bit of a mess. Her dad just moved out to pursue his stand-up comedy dreams, her mom seems more preoccupied with running the family's Russian deli than getting Dad back, and Maya's anxiety and germ worries have only been growing stronger. Her grandma always tells her "slozi goryu ne pomozhet"--tears won't help sorrow--but right now it's hard to be strong.

So when her teacher Ms. Banta announces the sixth-grade talent show, Maya sees an opportunity. If she can perform stand-up comedy in the show, she can prove to her mom and dad that comedy has a place in all their lives and try to get them back together. But conquering her fears amidst her family falling apart and a growing hot-hot-hot feeling inside is easier said than done...

In this authentic novel full of both humor and heartbreak, Margaret Gurevich crafts a story about comedy, fractured family, and learning how strength comes in many forms.

Review Quotes

"A novel that made me laugh, then cry, and stayed with me long after I finished reading."--Stacy McAnulty, author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

"Maya's genuine and hopeful spirit captivated me from the start! I rooted for her as she skillfully navigated the humorous challenges of working in her grandmother's Russian store, negotiated growing family and school anxieties, and geared up for her debut as a stand-up comedian. Ain't It Funny is a story that's wholly original, bighearted, and empowering--just like Maya herself."--Jennifer Richard Jacobson, author of Small as an Elephant and Paper Things

"Themes of bullying, friendship difficulties, and mental health support are handled with sensitivity and authenticity. Budding comedians will also enjoy the humor and the useful sections that explain the process of creating a joke, along with tips for performing stand-up routines . . . A culturally textured, heartfelt story of dislocation and growth."--Kirkus Reviews

"Beyond mental health representation, Gurevich imbues the narrative with Russian Jewish heritage by featuring some traditional Russian dishes, Chanukah, and Russian cultural beliefs, such as adhering firmly to reserved displays of emotions. Gurevich has created an earnest but nervous protagonist in Maya, reflective of anxious adolescents today."--Booklist

"Gurevich balances the seriousness of Maya's anxiety with laugh-out-loud humor...Maya's story speaks directly to the stigma of mental health and the ways those attitudes can harm people of all ages."--The Horn Book

About the Author

Margaret Gurevich (she/her) is a middle-school teacher and the author of Who Was? books as well as the award-winning Chloe by Design series. She has dabbled in stand-up comedy and, like Maya, sometimes crafts jokes in her head while doing errands. She also has many great memories of cooking Russian food with her grandmother. When not writing or teaching, Margaret enjoys hiking, bingeing too many shows, and spending time with her family. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, son, and their wise cat, Goosie.