Shoshana"s Song is a captivating, sensitive, and meaningful coming of age story about feminist teenager Shoshana Rosen, who was raised in a strict Orthodox Jewish home. The book was a finalist in the 2013 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. Determined to observe all the sacred traditions of her faith, Shoshana"s life drastically changes when she rejects her father"s wishes for an arranged marriage, and questions why she must decide between her love of Judaism, and her dream to pursue a college education and professional fulfillment. She makes the bold and painful decision to leave her home and community in New York and move to Chicago, where she rents an apartment with two young women. One of her roommates, Kate Shannon an Irish Catholic joins Shoshana on her journey, and shares her search for intellectual freedom, a successful career, happiness, love and marriage balanced with the intense desire to keep their respective faiths and traditions.In Shoshana"s Song, Jerry Marcus brings us a perceptive and unforgettable story of how a young woman uses the questioning process to face the clashes between freedom of thought, the traditions she loves, and her faith. Marcus portrays Shoshana"s difficult choices with charm, humor, understanding, and dignity - all contributing to her spiritual growth, and the power of the story. The story is symbolized on the book cover, which was designed by Shawn Biner, Biner Design. The illustrations were done by Portrait Artist Shawn Costello. The dark blue of the starless night sky represents the way Shoshana feels about the prospect of an arranged marriage and her fear of spending her lifetime under the authority of a husband - one who may not recognize her desire to have a fulfilling career and to contribute to society as a whole. The books Shoshana holds tightly in her arms are symbolic of her thirst for knowledge about her faith and the world around her. Behind Shoshana, in the dimly lit distance, is a street from her neighborhood, representing her foundation of faith and community, both of which are important to her. The stained glass window in the synagogue is brightly lit, just like the strong faith of her ancestors - represented by the Star of David - that glows within her soul. Shoshana"s face is illuminated by the light of the moon, representing her spirituality. Her expression is one of quiet determination, which is guided throughout the story by Shoshana"s heroine, the legendary Chana Rochel.