Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard’s new book WHAT JEWISH LOOKS LIKE (HarperCollins, 2024) illustrated by Iris Gottlieb, features thirty-six short biographies of diverse Jewish people, ranging from prominent artists to actors, athletes, and more. The authors emphasize how these…
NOT NOTHING by Gayle Forman is the moving story of 12-year-old Alex, who is sent by a judge to volunteer in a retirement home. His own family is fractured, and he is resistant to making connections, especially with Maya-Jade, another…
Terri Libenson’s new graphic novel, ALWAYS ANTHONY (Balzer + Bray, 2024) follows the alternating points of view between Anthony and Leah, two middle schoolers who don’t seem to have much in common until Leah begins to tutor Anthony, and they…
Alex Schumacher’s graphic novel THE EFFECTS OF PICKLED HERRING (Mango Publishing Group, 2024), follows Micah Gadsky, who is balancing a lot in his personal life as he prepares to become a Bar Mitzvah. In addition to troubles at school and…
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…
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…
Set in 1973, Deborah’s middle grade novel THINGS THAT SHIMMER (Kar-Ben, 2024) follows Melanie, a middle schooler desperate to join the cool clique in school while also dealing with her mother’s PTSD. But when she befriends a new student, Dorit,…
I am delighted to be a stop on the 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour! The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the…
Kayln Josephson is the author of the middle-grade fantasy novel HOLLOWTHORN (Penguin Random House, 2023), the second book in the RAVENFALL series. HOLLOWTHORN follows best friends Anna and Colin as they venture to save their home, the magical Ravenfall Inn, from…
In Barbara Tuckel’s guidebook for young readers, BANK ROBBERS DON’T SAY PLEASE (Menucha Publishers, 2023), a boy named Michoel often gets in sticky situations which require him to learn about manners and etiquette. Readers will be engaged and entertained while…