Antisemitism Explored in New Middle-Grade Novel, Yet Missing from Bestseller Lists

The middle-grade novel *Don’t Feed the Lion*, authored by Israeli Channel 12 evening news anchor Yonit Levi and CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga, addresses the issue of antisemitism through the lens of three middle schoolers in Chicago. The narrative unfolds as the protagonist, Theo, grapples with the repercussions of his idol—a soccer player—making an antisemitic comment on social media, which leads to bullying and vandalism against him. Despite selling over 34,000 copies and receiving acclaim from notable figures such as Gal Gadot and Sacha Baron Cohen, the book has not made it onto *The New York Times* Bestseller List.

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According to Page Six Hollywood, the book has consistently exceeded the sales threshold required to qualify for the *NYT* list, which typically demands sales of 3,000 to 6,000 copies in a single month. The book has made it onto the USA Today list, indicating its popularity. However, the *NYT* has not included it, citing that their bestseller rankings are based on data compiled from various sources. The book's publisher, Arcadia, co-owned by Michael Lynton, took a chance on *Don’t Feed the Lion* despite having no prior experience in publishing middle-grade literature. Lynton expressed surprise and delight at the book's sales, emphasizing its importance and the quality of the authors' work.

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Bianna Golodryga shared that her motivation to write the book stemmed from witnessing a rise in antisemitism in the United States, particularly in 2022, when several celebrities made antisemitic remarks. This personal experience resonated with her son, who questioned the safety of attending basketball games due to the hate he perceived. Similarly, Levi noted that her son posed similar questions about the hatred directed towards him, highlighting the emotional impact of rising antisemitism on young individuals.

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Despite the book's success and positive reception, its absence from the *NYT* Bestseller List has raised questions about the criteria used for selection. Critics argue that the list may not adequately reflect the sales performance of books tackling sensitive and timely subjects like antisemitism. This discrepancy has sparked discussions about the visibility of important social issues in mainstream media.

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In response to inquiries about the book's omission from the *NYT* list, the publication indicated that their rankings are based on a compilation of sales data from multiple sources. Lynton, the publisher, expressed his belief in the book's potential impact and the authors' efforts in promoting it, stating, “It has been a joy and an honor to publish the book. It's a book that deserves to be published.”

The Jerusalem Post

• “I always knew it would sell well. But yes, I'm surprised that it's sold in the numbers that it has. And delighted… It has been a joy and an honor to publish the book. It's a book that deserves to be published, and Brianna and Yonit did a brilliant job writing it and publicizing it. And I'm glad that it's getting into the right hands.” — Michael Lynton, Publisher

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• “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.” — Yonit Levi, Author

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The narrative surrounding *Don’t Feed the Lion* underscores the complexities of addressing antisemitism in literature while navigating the publishing industry's challenges.

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