Key Highlights
- CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga co-authored a young adult novel titled “Don’t Feed the Lion” with Yonit Levi.
- The book addresses issues of antisemitism and was inspired by real-life experiences, including incidents involving the author’s own son.
- Golodryga discusses the lack of resources for educating children about antisemitism in schools.
- The novel features a central character named Theo Kaplan who faces antisemitic comments after his favorite player makes a controversial statement.
Bianna Golodryga and Yonit Levi’s “Don’t Feed the Lion”
CNN International anchor Bianna Golodryga, along with her friend Yonit Levi, has co-authored a young adult novel titled “Don’t Feed the Lion.” The book aims to provide Jewish kids and non-Jewish children, as well as adults in their lives, with tools to deal with antisemitism. “Don’t Feed the Lion” is centered around Theo Kaplan, a soccer-obsessed middle-school student from Chicago who grapples with the real-world implications of antisemitic remarks.
Personal Motivation and Inspiration
Golodryga shares that her personal experiences as a former political refugee have shaped her perspective. She recounts how her son’s reaction to NBA star Kyrie Irving’s controversial social media post led to an uncomfortable conversation about why people hate them. Golodryga highlights the lack of resources for children on antisemitism, which motivated her and Levi to write this book. “There weren’t any good stories out there for kids on this topic,” she explains.
Addressing Antisemitism in Schools
The novel delves into the issue of how schools respond to incidents of antisemitism. Golodryga notes that while other forms of hate are addressed more proactively, antisemitic incidents often receive a “kumbaya” session or casual discussion without deeper engagement. She emphasizes the need for schools to take these issues seriously and provides an example from her family’s history where swastikas appeared at school with a tepid response.
Broader Context of Antisemitism
Golodryga also discusses how broader geopolitical events, such as the conflict in Gaza, can exacerbate antisemitic sentiments. She mentions that there is often a conflation between discussions about Israel and antisemitism, making it challenging to address these issues without drawing attention to other geopolitical tensions.
Challenges and Successes
The book faced initial challenges when seeking publication, with many publishers expressing skepticism about the market for such content among young adults. However, through persistent efforts and self-publishing, Golodryga managed to bring “Don’t Feed the Lion” to fruition. She expresses gratitude towards Michael Lynton of Arcadia Children’s Books for believing in the project.
Golodryga concludes by reflecting on how her son’s reaction to reading the book has been positive, noting that it has made him more conscious about his Judaism and heritage. “He had his bar mitzvah in Israel last year,” she says, “and he’s wanted to go to synagogue more.” This highlights the personal impact such literature can have on young readers.
