The widely acclaimed coming-of-age novel that offers compassion and hope

Inside the closed community of Borough Park, where most Chassidim live, the rules of life are determined by an ancient script written thousands of years before-and abuse has never been a part of it. But when thirteenyear- old Gittel learns of the abuse her best friend has suffered at the hands of her own family member, the adults in her community try to convince Gittel, and themselves, that nothing happened. Forced to remain silent, Gittel begins to question everything she was raised to believe.

A nuanced exploration of a complex world, one of both humor and depth, understanding and horror, this story illuminates the conflict between yesterday's traditions and today's reality