The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen

Kosher Starburst candies imported from the United Kingdom appear throughout The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen, first as a symbol of the Orthodox Jewish community’s difference, and then as a symbol of Anna-Marie’s attempts to be close to Hoodie. Because Hoodie and his family and friends keep kosher, they cannot eat many foods available in traditional supermarkets, especially packaged food like candy. Hoodie explains that “American Starburst aren’t kosher, but British ones are, and [the Abramowitz Kosher Market] import[s] them from England” (19). Because so few candy options are available in Tregaron, these imported Starburst become “the official soft taffy candy of the Moskovitz Torah Academy” (69). The boys’ obsession with British Starburst reflects the relative lack of choices in Tregaron: Unlike their non-Jewish counterparts, they are limited to a small selection of Kosher candies. The kosher Starburst act as a symbol of their difference from their neighbors.

When Hoodie meets Anna-Marie, Starburst become a symbol of their connection. After Hoodie explains the importance of imported Starbursts, Anna-Marie intentionally buys some for him “from the Abramowitz market” (110). The fact that Anna-Marie visits the Abramowitz market suggests that she is interested in learning more about him and his religion. Although she still holds some prejudices, she admits that “British Starburst are better” than their American counterparts (110).