NO VACANCY

Narrator Rachel Botchan irresistibly portrays 11-year-old Miriam Brockman and her family, who move from Manhattan to upstate New York to run a motel. As Miriam is doing her chores, she meets the Whitleys--including granddaughter Kate--who run a nearby diner. Jewish Miriam and Catholic Kate become fast friends who team up to help faltering businesses. As the girls learn about each other's religion, including the Brockmans' Shabbat prayers, Botchan is at her finest. When anti-Semitism rears its ugly head, the families fight back, and everyone benefits. This coming-of-age story, rich with appealing characters and situations, is a wonderful listening experience for those of all ages. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2021]