In Anna E. Jordan’s middle grade book SHIRA & ESTHER’S DOUBLE DREAM DEBUT (Chronicle Books, 2023), look-alike thirteen-year-olds Shira and Esther concoct a plan to swap places when they discover they are living each other’s dreams: one girl wants to…
Kathy Kacer’s new book TWO PIECES OF CHOCOLATE (Second Story Press, 2024), illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, is based on the true story of a young girl named Francine and her mother, who help a pregnant woman find a bit of…
Ann Koffksy’s nonfiction picture book PING-PONG SHABBAT: THE TRUE STORY OF CHAMPION ESTEE ACKERMAN (Little Bee Books, 2024), illustrated by Abigail Rajunov tells the story of Estee Ackerman, a talented young Ping-Pong champion. When a big competition that could earn…
Bess Kalb’s picture book BUFFALO FLUFFALO (Random House Studio, 2024), illustrated by Erin Kraan, follows Buffalo Fluffalo, a gruff, fluffy buffalo who rebukes offers of friendship from the eager animals around him. But after a rainstorm causes Fluffalo to lose…
Sarah Sassoon’s picture book THIS IS NOT A CHOLENT (Kar-Ben, 2024) illustrated by Viviana Garofoli, is set in Australia and follows a girl named Amira and her grandmother, Nana, who participate in a Cholent cooking competition. Amira and Nana make…
Caroline Kusin Pritchard’s new picture book WHERE IS POPPY? (Simon & Schuster, 2024), illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte, follows a child struggling with the loss of her beloved grandfather on the Passover holiday. The young protagonist ultimately finds comfort in family…
In THE SCHLEMIEL KIDS SAVE THE MOON (The Collective Book Studio, 2024), illustrated by Rotem Teplow, Audrey Barbakoff puts a fresh spin on a traditional Chelm story. Filled with humor, the book follows siblings Sarah and Sam who face frustration…
Richard Michelson’s picture book biography ONE OF A KIND: THE LIFE OF SYDNEY TAYLOR (Calkins Creek, 2024) illustrated by Sarah Green, tells the life story of Sydney Taylor, author of the iconic ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY book series. Sydney Taylor is a…
Emily Barth Isler’s middle-grade book, THE COLOR OF SOUND (Carolrhoda Books, 2024), follows twelve-year-old Rosie, who has synesthesia. Although Rosie is a gifted musician, she refuses to play her violin. She also struggles with her mom and has issues with…
An informative and important story, Frank Baker’s graphic novel illustrated by Tim Ogline, WE SURVIVED THE HOLOCAUST: THE BLUMA AND FELIX GOLDBERG STORY (Imagine and Wonder, 2022), chronicles the true story of Bluma and Felix, two young adults who survived…