Isaac

Blum

Jewish Writer and Educator

Longlisted for the National Book Award

Travels from: Philadelphia, PA

“Funny, smart, moving, courageous, and so timely it almost hurts.” –Kirkus Starred Review

Isaac Blum (he/him) is a writer and educator. He’s taught English at several colleges and universities, and at Orthodox Jewish and public schools. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers-Camden, and his stories and essays have appeared in The Iowa Review, The New York Times, and One Teen Story, among other places. Isaac lives with his wife in Philadelphia where he watches sports and reads books that make him laugh while showing him something true about the world. The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen is his debut novel.

Longlisted for the National Book Award, The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen is a wry, witty debut novel about a deeply important and timely subject, in a story of hatred and betrayal—and the friendships we find in the most unexpected places.

Isaac's Featured Titles

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen

Philomel Books |

September 13, 2022

Young Adult Fiction

LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD!

The Chosen meets Adam Silvera in this irreverent and timely story of worlds colliding in friendship, betrayal, and hatred.

Hoodie Rosen’s life isn’t that bad. Sure, his entire Orthodox Jewish community has just picked up and moved to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, but Hoodie’s world hasn’t changed that much. He’s got basketball to play, studies to avoid, and a supermarket full of delicious kosher snacks to eat. The people of Tregaron aren’t happy that so many Orthodox Jews are moving in at once, but that’s not Hoodie’s problem.

That is, until he meets and falls for Anna-Marie Diaz-O’Leary—who happens to be the daughter of the obstinate mayor trying to keep Hoodie’s community out of the town. And things only get more complicated when Tregaron is struck by a series of antisemitic crimes that quickly escalate to deadly violence.

As his community turns on him for siding with the enemy, Hoodie finds himself caught between his first love and the only world he’s ever known.

Isaac Blum delivers a wry, witty debut novel about a deeply important and timely subject, in a story of hatred and betrayal—and the friendships we find in the most unexpected places.

Diversity & Inclusion, Jewish Themes, Male Author, Young Adult

Cross-cultural and interfaith understanding

Everybody has their own cultural and spiritual journey. Isaac discusses how mutual curiosity and understanding (as seen in The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen) can help us through our own journey of personal identity and heal our communities in the process.

Antisemitism

Isaac takes his audience through the roots and causes of antisemitism, and discusses ways to combat anti-Jewish bias through literature.

Two shuls on a desert island, Jewish culture, identity, and religious bridge-building

Jewishness is a broad spectrum, but one with many divisions. Isaac discusses the issues, ideas, and principles that divide Jews, and ways that Jews can move past them to find common ground and understanding.

The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen: A journey from idea to publication

Isaac discusses the inspiration for the novel, and the journey it took from idea to published novel.

Finding your voice

Isaac helps young (or not as young) writers find their own unique voice in fiction. Through a series of fun writing exercises, Isaac helps participants develop their own personal style, technique, and personality in their prose.

Let's write a story

This can be done in a one-hour format with a participant (or participants) who has a finished story, or it can be done in a two-hour format where participants write first, then share. (I can send along materials for writing exercises that can be workshopped during the event, or, if the workshop is longer, we can do both the writing and critique/workshop in the same event).

Your voice matters

How every voice has the power to make a difference. This can be a discussion, workshop with activities, or both.

Isaac Blum introduces The Life and Times of Hoodie Rosen

“Blum tackles themes of acceptance and community [in] this impressively drawn story.” –Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*

“A sharply written coming-of-age story whose protagonist, like any teen, is figuring out where he fits in, under circumstances that are thought-provoking and at times heart-wrenching.” –Horn Book Magazine, *STARRED REVIEW*

“Blum’s novel is well plotted, instructive in its portrayal of Orthodox life, and dramatic…with some much-needed humor.” –Booklist

Future Events

Educator Resources

Order Signed Books | Isaac’s Hometown Bookstore

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Publishers Weekly | Best Book of 2022
Kirkus | Best Book of 2022
Longlisted for the National Book Award
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
MFA in Creative Writing | Rutgers-Camden