'This zany and fun story of family, adventure and imagination is also about gaining confidence and growing up. Ben learns courage and builds belief in himself as a member of his family and the wider community’

Jewish Book Council

Ben Bonkers is getting ready for his Bar Mitzvah. In just a few days he will participate in the Jewish coming of age ceremony and he is SURE that something will go wrong. However, he is not prepared for just how wrong. The synagogue temporarily disappears, he sees aliens and discovers that they plan on talking over the world. First, he sees one of the aliens take over a person, later his family begins to act strange. Only his grandpa believes Ben, so it is up to them to hatch a plan to stop the aliens. At the age of thirteen, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But for Ben Bonkers, it is the fate of the world.

I enjoyed this outrageous middle grade science fiction book. The plot was reminiscent of the old “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” novel which was made into movies four different times. Although the fate of the world is at stake, the topic is treated as a grand adventure with humor and provides a quick escapist novel for youngsters. The Bar Mitzvah may be the setting, but it is really a background for the story. One doesn’t have to be Jewish to enjoy the book. Most preteens will identify with Ben as he explores his coming-of-age angst. He would rather stay a child than deal with all the problems that come with being an adult.

NetGalley, Julie Ditton

This is a really enjoyable story about Ben and the unexpected challenges he faces leading up to a special event in his life. It's a quick and easy read, and offers an added cultural dimension wrt the Jewish faith.

As the book points out, being something of a worrier, Ben was certainly prepared for any number of things to go wrong before the religious ceremony he had been studying for. He just wasn't prepared for the *kind* of things that went wrong!

And to be fair, could anyone be expected to plan for the disappearance of the shul just when they're preparing to have their final lesson before "graduating"?! I liked how bonkers the story indeed was, and particularly enjoyed Ben's interactions with his grandfather.

There is a lot of humour, and there are times when you cannot help but feel feel for Ben's plight, even if you have long ago left behind the kind of coming-of-age ceremony symbolised by a bar mitzvah. Recommended for the target age group and the young at heart.

NetGalley, Farah Ghuznavi

As featured in

Jewish Chronicle

Article: 'Ivor Baddiel goes bonkers'

Jewish News