Highlighting: “Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop” by Joshua S. Levy. Quill Tree Books. 2024. 256 pages. ISBN-10: 0063248247.

For as long as he can remember, storytelling has been a part of Joshua S. Levy’s life. He wrote his first book in elementary school — a story inspired by his favorite video game— and felt the thrill of creating a world of his own. That passion never faded. Years later, Levy is now the author of multiple middle grade novels, including his latest, “Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop,” published by HarperCollins. In January, the book won both the National Jewish Book Award for Middle Grade Literature (awarded by the Jewish Book Council) and a Sydney Taylor Honor (awarded by the Association for Jewish Libraries).

“As someone who always loved stories, it means the world that I can now create them for young readers,” Levy shared with The Jewish Link. “Writing has been a constant in my life since I was a kid, and seeing my books out in the world is always a thrill.”

Levy’s first published book was “Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy,” a sci-fi adventure about a school that gets catapulted across space. Since then, Levy has continued writing books that blend humor, adventure and heart. His experience as a former middle school teacher has helped him connect deeply with young readers, capturing the way kids navigate the world.

“As a former teacher, I got to see firsthand how kids think, talk, and experience life,” Levy said. “That’s something I always try to bring into my books — authentic characters who feel real, who face challenges, and who grow in ways that will resonate.”

In addition to being a published author, Levy is also a practicing lawyer. He lives in New Milford, New Jersey with his wife and three children.

“My 10-year-old recently read one of my books,” Levy shared. “She liked it, and that was a relief! Although I’ll admit she had a few notes.”

Levy’s latest novel, “Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop,” is set in a fictional Bergen County town and follows two Jewish boys who find themselves trapped in a Groundhog Day-style loop, reliving their bar mitzvah weekends over and over. Their challenge isn’t just breaking out of the loop; it’s learning to appreciate the time they have and the moments that matter.

“The story is fun, but at its heart, it’s about learning to slow down and appreciate life,” Levy shared. “Not rushing too fast, learning to love the little moments.”

Authenticity is a core part of Levy’s storytelling. As a Jewish author, he’s passionate about creating books where Jewish kids can see themselves reflected in a natural, relatable way while also making his stories accessible to all readers.

“There’s an instinct in the literary world to ensure kids from different backgrounds see themselves in books, and that’s important,” Levy explained. “A Jewish kid should be able to open a book and find a character who feels familiar, who shares their experiences. At the same time, kids from other backgrounds should be able to look in and see us as part of the larger world, just like any other community.”

The cover of “Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop” features a boy wearing a yarmulke, something Levy considers especially important for Jewish representation in children’s literature. The book has also earned Levy two major accolades: the National Jewish Book Award and a Sydney Taylor Honor.

“It’s an incredible honor to have my work seen in this way,” Levy continued. “And it’s a privilege to be among the other books recognized by the Jewish Book Council and the Association for Jewish Libraries. Both organizations do an incredible job every year of reviewing and elevating Jewish books. I’d encourage Jewish Link readers to check out these organizations for book recommendations in my category, and others.”

Looking ahead, Levy plans to create more stories for readers to enjoy. “I’m always thinking about the next book,” Levy went on to say. “Writing is a way for me to explore ideas and offer readers something fun and meaningful. I’m excited to keep growing as a writer and bring more

stories to life that will hopefully inspire and entertain readers.”

Levy’s books are available for purchase on Amazon and in bookstores across the U.S. To learn more about him, visit his website, joshuasimonlevy.com or follow him on Instagram, @soshuaslevy.

Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.