Don't Feed the Lion - (Arcadia Children's Books) by Bianna Golodryga & Yonit Levi (Paperback)

About the Book

With unexpected twists and compelling characters, Don't Feed the Lion explores how young people grapple with antisemitism, prejudice, allyship, and the courage to speak up. Annie and Theo Kaplan have a family ritual: every Friday night they celebrate Shabbat with their energetic, immigrant grandparents. But this Shabbat, which happens to fall on Annie's eleventh birthday, isn't like the others. Thirteen-year-old Theo's soccer hero--Wes Mitchell--has posted an antisemitic message that quickly goes viral, leaving his parents disgusted, his sister enraged, and Theo himself clobbered by a torrent of confusion, anger, sadness, and a deep desire to just ignore it. Antisemitism quickly affects the entire Kaplan family in various ways. Theo's teammates think Mitchell's comments were no big deal, and Theo notices an uptick in anti-Jewish commentary around school. A rare act of rebellion draws Annie into the fray, and a new classmate shows that ignoring pain is no way to get through it. Don't Feed the Lion asks readers of all backgrounds: What will you do when it's your turn to choose?

Book Synopsis

With unexpected twists and compelling characters, Don't Feed the Lion explores how young people grapple with antisemitism, prejudice, allyship, and the courage to speak up.

". . . A story of grounded optimism . . . and of proud resilience in the face of hatred, through family courage and personal agency."-Isaac Herzog, President of Israel

"This book is so needed right now."-Gal Gadot, actress and antisemitism activist

"This book . . . gives kids the tools to recognize and stand up to hate." --Jake Tapper, CNN Anchor and New York Times Best-Selling Author

Annie and Theo Kaplan have a family ritual: every Friday night they celebrate Shabbat with their energetic, immigrant grandparents. But this Shabbat, which happens to fall on Annie's eleventh birthday, isn't like the others. Thirteen-year-old Theo's soccer hero--Wes Mitchell--has posted an antisemitic message that quickly goes viral, leaving his parents disgusted, his sister enraged, and Theo himself clobbered by a torrent of confusion, anger, sadness, and a deep desire to just ignore it.

Antisemitism quickly affects the entire Kaplan family in various ways. Theo's teammates think Mitchell's comments were no big deal, and Theo notices an uptick in anti-Jewish commentary around school. A rare act of rebellion draws Annie into the fray, and a new classmate shows that ignoring pain is no way to get through it.

Don't Feed the Lion asks readers of all backgrounds: What will you do when it's your turn to choose?

Review Quotes

Praise for Don't Feed the Lion

"A brave and beautiful story that helps kids understand antisemitism--and stand up to it with strength, pride, and compassion. This book is so needed right now." --Gal Gadot, actress and antisemitism activist

"When hatred is dressed up as opinion, we need stories that teach kids the difference. Don't Feed the Lion is a fierce and necessary reminder that silence is never the answer." --Sacha Baron Cohen, actor

"As a journalist and a father of teens, I've seen firsthand how antisemitism festers when ignored. This book doesn't just tell a compelling story--it gives kids the tools to recognize and stand up to hate." --Jake Tapper, CNN Anchor and New York Times Best-Selling Author

"Hate can't be fought alone. This book shows young people--from every background--how to be allies, how to speak up, and how to build bridges instead of walls."-Van Jones, New York Times Best-Selling Author, CNN Host, Founder of DreamMachine.org

"This is an important and beautifully told story that captures the impact hatred has on individuals, families, and entire communities. At a time of growing antisemitism, it is critical that we teach our children to stand up for themselves and their heritage--and to come to the aid of friends in need. Bianna and Yonit have written a book that teaches a life lesson and is truly engaging." --Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer

"Don't Feed the Lion" will resonate with young Jewish Americans and their parents, and will better equip them as they navigate their teens in a highly polarised social climate. It is a story of grounded optimism, of the cyclical nature of history, and of proud resilience in the face of hatred, through family courage and personal agency." --Isaac Herzog, President of Israel

About the Author

Bianna Golodryga is an Emmy-award-winning journalist, CNN anchor, and senior global affairs analyst. Based in New York she anchors "One World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga" weekdays at 11am ET on CNN International and CNN Max. Fluent in Russian, Golodryga has helped lead the network's extensive Russia-related coverage, has reported extensively on Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, and regularly fills-in hosting on signature CNN programs including "Amanpour" and "Fareed Zakaria GPS." Golodryga lives in New York with her husband, Peter Orszag, and their children.

For the past 22 years, Yonit Levi has been the anchor of Israel's top primetime news program on Channel 12, Israel's most popular television station. Throughout her career she has conducted interviews with top world leaders, including President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, Secretary Mike Pompeo, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Ambassador Nikki Haley, as well as international icons such as Bill Gates, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Jon Stewart.

In 2021 Levi started a weekly podcast, "UNHOLY: Two Jews on the News," with Jonathan Freedland of the Guardian. The podcast discusses world affairs from a Jewish perspective and has listeners in more than 120 countries. Levi is married and shares three children with her husband, Ido Rosenblum.