First-chapter Friday : Some Kind of Hate, by Sarah Darer Littman

Each Friday that school is in session, I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Sept. 22, 2023 was Some Kind of Hate, by Sarah Darer Littman.

After winning state as a freshman starting pitcher, Declan Taylor accidentally messes up his throwing arm. Despite painful surgery and brutal physical therapy, he might never pitch again. And instead of spending the summer with his friends, Declan is forced to get a job to help his family out. On top of that, it seems like his best friend, Jake Lehrer, is flirting with Declan’s crush and always ditching him to hang out with the team or his friends from synagogue.

So Declan ends up playing a lot of Imperialist Empires online and making new friends. It's there he realizes he’s been playing with Finn, a kid from his class. Finn is the first person who might be just as angry as Declan.

As the two spend more time together, Finn also introduces Declan to others who understand what it’s like when the world is working against you, no matter how much you try. How white kids like them are being denied opportunities because others are manipulating the system. And the more time Declan spends with Finn, the more he sees what they’re saying as true. So when his new friends decide it's time to fight back, Declan is right there with them. Even if it means going after Jake and his family.

Some Kind of Hate was an Honor Book, in 2023, for the Sydney Taylor Book Awards in the Young Adult category. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries, this award honors outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.