In Don’t Feed the Lion, a new novel about antisemitism for middle schoolers, published in the US by Arcadia Publishing, its first-time authors set out to fill a gap in books for tweens (children aged between 8-12) dealing with this issue, but also to tell a story that will entertain and enchant young readers.
The fact that it helps tweens understand contemporary antisemitism isn’t all that makes the book unusual. Its authors are among the world’s most respected television journalists: Yonit Levi, who for 22 years has been the anchor on Channel 12 of Israel’s top prime-time news program, and who has interviewed celebrities ranging from US presidents to Microsoft founder Bill Gates; and Bianna Golodryga, an Emmy-award-winning journalist, CNN anchor, and senior global affairs analyst. Based in New York, Golodryga anchors One World with Zain Asher on CNN. Levi also cohosts Unholy, a podcast in English about Israel and the Jewish world.
The novel follows three tweens in Chicago, siblings Theo and Annie, who are Jewish, and Gabe, who is part Korean, and examines how they are affected when Theo’s soccer-player idol tweets an antisemitic comment. The comment is repeated endlessly and uncritically on social media and leads Theo’s soccer teammates to deface his locker with a swastika.
The three protagonists cope with this incident in different ways and face pressure from their peers and the school administration, who at first simply see the incident as a minor problem that can be swept under the rug.
In a secondary but critical role are Theo and Annie’s grandparents, especially his wise and charismatic granddad, Ezra, a musician who wrote a hit Israeli pop tune for their grandmother.
In an afterward to the warm, often funny novel that nevertheless doesn’t flinch from showing how antisemitism can flare up in the US, the coauthors wrote that, following the October 7 massacre by Hamas in Israel, “as journalists and as Jewish mothers, we were shaken. As friends, we found comfort in turning toward each other. And as writers, we knew we had to create something for the children who, like our own, were asking hard questions and deserved better answers.”
'The seed for Don’t Feed the Lion was planted before October 7'
IN A recent Zoom interview with Golodryga and Levi, I asked them to tell me a little more about how the book came about.
Golodryga said, “The seed for Don’t Feed the Lion was planted before October 7. I had noticed rising antisemitism in the US, and it really hit home in 2022 when several celebrities – from rappers to NBA players – made antisemitic remarks online. My son, who’s a huge sports fan, asked, ‘Why do they hate us? Can I not go to basketball games anymore?’
“It was a gut punch. I came to this country [from the former Soviet Union] as a Jewish political refugee, and I didn’t know how to answer that question – in 2022, in Manhattan.
“Then came the earthquake of October 7, and Yonit and I immediately gravitated toward each other. We decided we needed to address what we were seeing – to create a book we wished we could have found for our own kids.”
Levi added, “Here in Israel, my son is almost the same age as Bianna’s – 12. After October 7, he asked, ‘Why do people who don’t even know me hate me?’ I felt prepared to answer questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but not that one.
“Bianna and I talked a lot in those first days. Because we’re both on television, we have to stay composed. We were each other’s shoulder to cry on. Out of that distress, we asked, ‘What can we do?’ And that’s where the idea for the book was born – it was Bianna’s idea originally.”
The strong friendship between the two journalists was evident even in a half-hour interview: They each speak admiringly of the other’s accomplishments and finish each other’s sentences. I was curious as to how they collaborated on a book when they were so far apart.
Golodryga said, “We’re both overachievers, so naturally we said, ‘Let’s write a children’s novel together across the ocean!’ We had wonderful support from our families, and the process turned out to be therapeutic.
“We scheduled weekly Zoom sessions – sometimes twice a week – despite our crazy time zones. Yonit never sleeps, so that helped! We’d start with a bit of therapy – talking about our week and the news – and then dive into plotting and character work.
“Yonit had spent years in the US, so she knew the American school system well. We created Annie and Theo early on, then added Gabe, because we didn’t want him to be just a token ‘best friend.’ The Israeli grandparents, Ezra and Talia, were all Yonit.”
Levi added, “Yes, it was a lot of Zoom calls. Bianna came to Israel a few times while covering the hostages’ story for CNN, and we worked together in person then.
“We write differently – Bianna is brilliant at structuring plot, while I start with character. I began with Ezra and Talia, who were my beloved characters. Bianna’s son inspired Theo’s voice; mine informed the Israeli characters. Our editor, Abby Sher, gave us invaluable feedback: She said, ‘The grandparents are great, but the kids need to drive the story.’ That helped us shape the final version.”
Ezra looms large throughout the novel, and it turns out that he had a surprising model: “Ezra was inspired by my dear friend and mentor Roni Daniel, Channel 12’s military analyst – of Iraqi descent, charismatic, blunt, and colorful,” said Levi. “He wasn’t a musician, but Ezra’s warmth and directness came from him. The book’s original title was ‘I Love You, Talia Kaplan,’ which fit their love story, but, as Abby gently pointed out, it wasn’t ideal for middle graders. So that became the prequel – maybe for another time!”
The plot was inspired by several real incidents, including several times that star athletes made antisemitic comments. Golodryga said, “Sports are supposed to unite people – but when a hero spreads hate, it divides. Other moments, like the swastika incident at school, were inspired by things that happened to my own family members less than a decade ago.
“The heart of the book, though, is about how adults respond. Often, they avoid confrontation – they’ll say, ‘Let’s move on,’ or ‘Let’s not make this a big deal.’ That avoidance lets antisemitism fester. We wanted to show what happens when kids see adults failing to stand up for what’s right.”
The climax of the book comes in a scene where Theo has a meeting with his soccer team coach and the school principal and must decide whether to be honest about how much the antisemitic incident in his school has hurt him. This confrontation also shows how deeply Theo has been influenced by his grandfather’s values.
Levi said, “That’s one of our favorite scenes. We all remember feeling bullied by adults who told us what to think. That moment changes everything for Theo and for the adults in the room. It’s about a child’s moral clarity.”
Golodryga agreed, “Yes – for me, that’s the hardest scene emotionally. Imagine being that age, standing up to authority, and being gaslit – told you’re making trouble. Shame on the adults who put him in that position.”
CERTAIN THAT anyone who writes a novel for middle schoolers was deeply influenced by books at that age, I asked about the fiction that shaped them back when they were growing up.
Golodryga said, “Judy Blume, without question. My daughter is reading Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself now. That book was my first introduction to World War II and what happened to Jews in Europe. It wasn’t didactic – just powerful. We hoped to write something like that.”
Not surprisingly, Levi said, “Same for me – Superfudge, Freckle Juice – I still have my old copies. I hope a little of Judy Blume’s warmth rubbed off on us.”
Asked whether their children read the book and gave feedback, the two admitted that they had – and spoke about the hard-won praise they received from these very tough critics.
Golodryga: “Yes. I was really nervous about how my son would react to it. He started reading it begrudgingly, then kept reaching for it, and at a certain point it was obvious that he wasn’t just doing me a favor. Eventually he said, ‘It’s pretty good.’ That was high praise! Many of the words in the book came directly from him.”
The authors 'hope parents will read it with their children'
After they spoke about winning over their own children, I wondered what they would tell parents who are thinking of giving the novel to their kids.
“First, it’s a good story,” said Levi. “It looks antisemitism in the eye but isn’t didactic. It shows that kids have moral compasses – often clearer than adults’ – and that they can stand up for what’s right. I hope parents will read it with their children. And it’s also about allies – how much we need friends beyond the Jewish community to stand with us in dark times.”
Golodryga added, “Yes, and we wanted something for everyone. It’s not just for sports fans or Jewish readers. Annie, Theo, and Gabe each tell parts of the story; Gabe, especially, represents empathy. It’s also for adults, because parents can learn from how the adults in the book fail and succeed in addressing hate. Antisemitism is pervasive; kids see it in protests, in the news, in daily life. This book can help families talk about it – and they can still enjoy the story.”
The two said that they are planning to continue their writing partnership, although their next project, which they aren’t ready to talk about yet, would not be for children. Right now, they were happy just to talk about Don’t Feed the Lion and how pleased they are that it is now out in the world.
“This experience, born out of tragedy, became one of the most rewarding of our lives,” said Golodryga. “We hope it helps readers find empathy and courage.”