2022 Sydney Taylor Book, Manuscript, and Body-of-Work Award Winners Announced! Winners of the annual Sydney Taylor Book Award were announced by the Association of JewishLibraries. Named in memory of Sydney Taylor, author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series, the award…
I’m so thrilled to welcome Freda Lewkowicz, author of I AM HAVA: A Song’s Story of Love, Hope and Joy (Intergalactic Afikoman, 2021) illustrated by Siona Benjamin. The story is a beautiful, heart-filled tribute to the song we all know and love,…
Shirley Reva Vernick is an author who explores difficult topics and makes them relevant for young readers. Her newest book, RIPPED AWAY (Fitzroy Books, 2022), is a time-travel story that takes readers back to the days of Jack the Ripper. She explores…
Happy New Year! The Jewish Book Carnival, a monthly roundup of Jewish literary links from across the blogosphere, has been posted for January. Our host this month is Heidi Rabinowitz at The Book of Life Podcast blog. You can see the Carnival at https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2022/01/jewish-book-carnival.html,…
Emily Barth Isler is the author of AFTERMATH (Carolrhoda Books, 2021), a beautiful, honest novel about empathy, compassion, and the deepest kind of loss. In the story, Lucy grapples with her grief over her little brother’s death. But when her…
I’m so excited to share THE CLEVER LITTLE TAILOR (Kinder-Loshn Publications, 2021) by Solomon Simon, translated by David Forman with illustrations by Yehuda Blum. This unique translation of a Yiddish tale is about a poor tailor who cleverly solves mysteries in…
It’s the season for holiday books and I’m so delighted to share a truly special picture book – THE CHRISTMAS MITZVAH (Creston Books, 2021) by Jeff Gottesfeld. Young readers will be inspired by the story of Al Rosen, who helped others in his…
Hanukkah is early this year and books make great presents. Here is a roundup of some terrific books for all ages. Baby Loves Angular Momentum on Hanukkah! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan (Charlesbridge) Against the backdrop of Hanukkah,…
I am excited to chat with author Karen Pokras about her engaging middle grade novel, THE BACKYARD SECRETS OF DANNY WEXLER (Kar-Ben, 2021). The story follows eleven-year-old Danny as he and his friends attempt to solve a local mystery that…
It’s wonderful to once again interview my friend and fellow Book Meshuggenah, Nancy Churnin. Nancy is known for creating exceptional books for young readers. Her new picture book biography, A QUEEN TO THE RESCUE: THE STORY OF HENRIETTA SZOLD, FOUNDER…