This Is Just a Test

Written by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Madelyn Rosenberg

A boy juggles cultural clashes, friendships, and Cold War fears in a coming-of-age tale.

3.8 Goodreads · 545 ratings

256 pages· 50,222 words· Est. 7 hour read· 690L

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

David Da-Wei Horowitz navigates the chaos of preparing for his bar mitzvah while caught between his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers' disputes. As Cold War tensions rise, he and his friend Scott dig a fallout shelter, but David questions if he wants to be stuck with Scott forever. With a trivia tournament looming and friendships on the line, David must find the courage to stand up for his best friend Hector and face his feelings for Kelli Ann. Can he balance cultural expectations, friendships, and looming global threats?

From the publisher

A 12-year-old boy is caught in the middle of cultures, friends, and growing up Chinese Jewish American in this acclaimed, hilariously witty, and heartwarming coming-of-age story.David Da-Wei Horowitz has a lot on his plate. Preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah would be enough work even if it didn’t involve trying to please his Jewish and Chinese grandmothers, who argue about everything. But David just wants everyone to be happy.That includes his friend Scott, who is determined to win their upcoming trivia tournament but doesn’t like their teammate – and David’s best friend – Hector. Scott and David begin digging a fallout shelter just in case this Cold War stuff with the Soviets turns south… but David’s not so convinced he wants to spend forever in an underground bunker with Scott. Maybe it would be better if Hector and Kelli Ann came with them. But that would mean David has to figure out how to stand up for Hector and talk to Kelli Ann. Some days, surviving nuclear war feels like the least of David’s problems.