The Day I Became a Potato Pancake

"Young inventor Naomi Hirsch and her best friend Ben Sherman love playing with her scientist mother’s inventions, like the hologram simulation program. But when they break into Professor Hirsch’s lab after being banned, they find something even more powerful: the Transfogram, “an experimental machine” that accidentally turns Ben into a human-sized latke. Naomi’s mother endeavors to develop an antidote before Ben’s transformation becomes permanent at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah, but Ben’s sudden boost in popularity among his classmates makes him reluctant to be human again. Kaplan (96 Facts About Bad Bunny) maintains gravitas amid silly circumstances by utilizing emotional dialogue centered on character relationships and growth. Singaporean illustrator Xu’s brightly colored art showcases facial expressions that emphasize the struggle between knowing what’s right and letting go of something that makes one feel special. This speculative, character-focused graphic novel highlights aspects of Jewish identity and culture through multiple lenses to craft a goofy yet nuanced read. Naomi and (human) Ben have tan skin. Back matter includes an art activity." —Publisher's Weekly

"How could I resist a graphic novel about a boy who turns into a latke? In 'The Day I Became a Potato Pancake' by Arie Kaplan with illustrations by Beilin Xu (Apples & Honey Press), best friends Ben and Naomi should know better than to sneak into Naomi's mother's secret lab. After all, her mother has forbidden them to enter many times. But that just makes the lab more intriguing. Unfortunately, although Ben should also know better than to touch anything, he can’t resist pushing one of the buttons, one that turns him into a potato pancake.

At first, Ben is upset, but, as he lets people know what happened, he begins to enjoy the notoriety. After all, a walking, talking latke is a great novelty. But there is a problem: if Naomi’s mom can’t discover an antidote before the week is over, Ben will have to spend the rest of his life as a human fried potato. To complicate matters, someone else – someone out of this world – is interested in Ben.

OK, so 'The Day I Became a Potato Pancake' is silly, but it is also great fun. The drawings add to its appeal: Xu does a wonderful and convincing job of making Ben look like a latke with a human personality. In fact, he looks so appealing, readers will understand Ben’s temptation to remain a potato. The novel is perfect for middle graders and anyone with a great sense of whimsy." —The Reporter, Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton

"Naomi Hirsch would really like to know what her scientist mother has been working on in her top secret lab, which is conveniently located in the garage. With her best friend Ben along for the adventure, she breaks into the lab and finds the Transfogram, "an experimental machine that scans your mind, homes in on whatever you're thinking about at that given moment, and transforms you." Curious, Ben pushes a big yellow button, and ZAP! Ben had tasty potato pancakes on his mind, and now he is a walking, talking, person-sized latke, and if the change isn't reversed in one week, it will be permanent.

While Dr. Hirsch works frantically to create an antidote, Ben enjoys newfound popularity at school. Just when he starts thinking that life as a latke might be pretty cool, a Hanukkah-obsessed alien shows up and wants to add Ben to his collection. Ben has to get transformed and get back to Earth before the Dreideltopians make him a museum exhibit.

Beneath the surface of a silly sci-fi adventure, this graphic novel has heart. Naomi and Ben struggle with the impact of Ben's sudden fame on their friendship, but they find they can rely on each other when it counts. Both come from clearly loving supportive families. Beilin Xu's dynamic panels add emotional depth to the story: latke-Ben has a very expressive face, considering he is a large pancake with eyes, a nose, and a mouth. This is a fun and fresh take on a popular holiday and is recommended for schools and public libraries." —Association of Jewish Libraries