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Best Children's Jewish Fiction

Yellow Star
Of those who survived, only twelve were children. This is the true story of Syvia Perlmutter—a story of courage, heartbreak, and finally survival despite the terrible circumstances in which she grew up. Grade 5-9–In thoughtful, vividly descriptive, almost poetic prose, Roy retells the true story of her Aunt Syvia's experiences in the Lodz Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. The slightly fictionalized story, re-created from her aunt's taped narrative, is related by Syvia herself as a series of titled vignettes that cover the period from fall, 1939, when she is four years old, until January 1945–each one recounting a particular detail-filled memory in the child's life (a happy-colored yellow star sewn on her favorite orange coat; a hole in the cemetery where she hides overnight with her Papa). This gripping and very readable narrative, filled with the astute observations of a young child, brings to life the Jewish ghetto experience in a unique and memorable way. She was afraid of it; when she was growing up, there was no Holocaust curriculum, no discussion-just those images of atrocity, piles of bones, and skeletal survivors being liberated. Syvia remembers daily life: yellow stars, illness, starvation, freezing cold, and brutal abuse, with puddles of red blood everywhere, and the terrifying arbitrariness of events ("like the story of a boy / who went out for bread / and was shot by a guard / who didn't like the way the boy / looked at him"). In 1944 the ghetto is emptied, except for a few Jews kept back to clean up, including Syvia's father, who keeps his family with him through courage, cunning, and luck.
Reviews
"i feel the author made a good decision by telling the story in first person."
"This account of life in the Lodz Ghetto so poignantly brings into focus the fears, doubts, hunger and sheer boredom of these years in the vivid voice of a child."
"It's the story of a child who was enclosed in the Lodz ghetto at age four and survives to be one of twelve children to survive when relief finally comes."
"First person true story of one young girls memories, and life during WW2, as a Jewish child."
"It can be read by an 8 year old or an 80 year old and I think will produce in either an understanding of the power of "need" in an incomprehensible situation."
"A touching recount of Hitlers evil reign."
"To think that only 12 children from the Lodz Ghetto survived the war speaks volumes as to the cruelty of the Nazi's and the determination of the families and other survivors to keep them alive."
"Loved the way it is written, sent to another friend to read."
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The Devil's Arithmetic (Puffin Modern Classics)
— Kirkus Reviews , starred review Hannah dreads going to her family's Passover Seder—she's tired of hearing her relatives talk about the past. But when she opens the front door to symbolically welcome the prophet Elijah, she's transported to a Polish village in the year 1942. When 12-year-old Hannah is transported back to a 1940's Polish village, she experiences the very horrors that had embarrassed and annoyed her when her elders related their Holocaust experiences. She is captured by the Nazis and taken to a death camp, where she is befriended by a young girl named Rivka, who teaches her how to fight the dehumanizing processes of the camp and hold onto her identity.
Reviews
"At first, I had my doubts about reading this book because it was so thin, but If you actually read this book, it is short and the story is AWESOME!!! So read this book and find out just how good this book is!"
"This book was required summer reading for my 7th grade daughter."
"My daughter is reading this book in school and because she is dyslexic, I have started getting my own copy of her required reading so that I can help her if she needs it."
"The story is told in first person and follows the main character as she is sent back in time to find out more of her culture."
"I love the reason hardbound her way back to her family and she did."
"The fact that some of the events in the book could've actually happened made the book historically informative as well."
"Engaging with every page turned, not knowing what would happen next as the words made us more and curious as to, "What's going to happen now?!?!""
"This book may be fiction but it gives the reader a good grasp of what the Holocaust was like."
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Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas
In this sweet and humorous picture book, Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas , a multi-cultural family (Mom's Indian; Dad's Jewish) celebrate Hanukkah while incorporating traditional Indian food. ― Publishers Weekly "Sarkar’s vibrant illustrations focus on the entire family―mom, dad, kids,amma-amma―and work with Ehrenberg’s accessible text to highlight Jewish andIndian cultures." In addition to Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas , Pamela Ehrenberg is the author of the young readers novels Ethan , Suspended and Tillmon County Fire .
Reviews
"Fantastic—coming from a family with the exact same dynamic as the main characters (Jewish father, Indian mother), we found it relatable and adorable."
"Fantastic children's book."
"What a wonderful book!"
"Cute and unique Hanukkah story/sibling story."
"I had a little dosa; I made it out of dal.... is a song that Sadie's older brother sings to himself, softly, as Sadie, too young to understand, crawls (and topples) over a pyramid of coconut milk cans at the Indian grocery store."
"An engaging, interesting, and sweet story that skillfully touches on several worthwhile topics, including: (1) the integration of two different cultures in the celebration of a significant holiday, (2) the nurturing and validation of an older sibling towards an "annoying" younger sister, and (3) the recognition that even the smallest individual can be a key player in solving a problem."
"Such a sweet tale of preparing for the holiday season."
"It's a wonderful book involving an older sibling dealing with and coming to appreciate his younger sister - an important lesson for kids because it's hard sometimes for them to deal with a little brother or sister who embarrasses them or makes what they want to do difficult just by being younger."
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Best Children's Jewish Books

Elmo's Little Dreidel (Sesame Street) (Sesame Steet)
This sturdy board book introduces toddlers to the traditions of the Jewish Festival of Lights and even teaches them how to play dreidel themselves! Naomi Kleinberg is a children’s book editor and the author of many children’s books.
Reviews
"My 16 month old daughter is obsessed with Elmo, and we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas so this was a nice little board book for her."
"This little book is the cutest thing."
"Our 2 1/2 year old son has just started to understand the meaning of the holidays this year."
"Always nice to have more books to help our children celebrate Hanukkah."
"My grandson loves Elmo and thus this book."
"I can't recount how many times my son asked to hear this book - over and over again throughout the 8 days of Hanukkah."
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Best Children's Judaism Books

The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible . . . on Schindler's List
“Much like The Boy In the Striped Pajamas or The Book Thief ,” this remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s list, “brings to readers a story of bravery and the fight for a chance to live” ( VOYA ). Amazon Best Books of the Month, August 2013: For readers ages 11 and up, Leon Leyson’s remarkable memoir, The Boy on the Wooden Box , is the moving account of a happy childhood shattered by the Holocaust. As the youngest member of Schindler’s list, Leyson offers a unique perspective on the man who became his lifelong hero and his first-hand account of day-to-day existence in the factory--which did not alleviate the fear or deprivation--and his personal interaction with Schindler is powerful and special.
Reviews
"She's not old enough to watch Schindler's List yet, but I love that this book is based on a true story of a boy who was on his list."
"This book taught me more about the mindset of Jews during WWII than just about any other."
"My daughter just started to read it."
"I read this book quickly on my Kindle and enjoyed it thoroughly."
"His story ."
"Great book with personal insights to Oscar Schindler."
"I would recommend this book to anyone especially to those who think they have life so tough."
"Amazing story that should never be forgotten."
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Best Teen & Young Adult Jewish Fiction

Wolf by Wolf: One girl’s mission to win a race and kill Hitler
Yael, a former death camp prisoner, has witnessed too much suffering, and the five wolves tattooed on her arm are a constant reminder of the loved ones she lost. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele's twin brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. "― Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy. "Ryan Graudin opens one of the darkest chapters in history and spins a what if into an incredible tale of survival, identity, and purpose. "The rush of an action movie combined with a flawlessly executed history, this is the book I've been waiting for. Filled to the brim with tension and intrigue, nonstop action, and a vivid cast of characters, you'll feel every bump in the road they ride. * "Graudin ( The Walled City ) crafts another fast-paced, enthralling tale of sacrifice and dogged determination as she fuses alternate history and spy-thriller suspense. A provocative rumination on self-preservation, the greater good, and the boundaries that keep heroes from becoming as cruel as those they fight.
Reviews
"What if the fate of the world depended on one young girl and her success in her mission to destroy Hitler."
"I thought the concept of this book was awesome, however, it took so long for something to happen that I lost interest."
"Basically, the axis powers win World War II instead of the ally powers. She must race AND win the Axis Tour Motorcycle race to meet Hitler and complete her mission."
"I could not put this book down, I read it in a matter of days."
"My high school teen loved this book."
"I finished this book in less than four hours."
"12 year old summer reading.. she liked it."
"It also goes over the what could have been of one of the defining moments in world history and makes you glad you live in the world you do."
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Best Children's United States Biographies

The Bell Jar (FF Classics)
I was supposed to be having the time of my life. The Bell Jar tells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City in the early 1950s.
Reviews
"Was an enlightening read with interesting insight into mental illness and depression."
"An amazing book."
"Can be a tough read to keep up with the transitions from memory to memory but absolutely worth it!"
"Was a good book."
"Every girl and woman should read this book after they turn 15 or so... obviously it's a classic."
"It makes sense that Sylvia Plath's writing is so beautiful, given that she's a poet."
"Very good to see a young adult in the grips of mental health issues."
"I would recommend this book."
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Best Poland Travel Guides

Rose Petal Jam: Recipes and Stories from a Summer in Poland
Part memoir and part travelogue, this unique cookbook that the story of Beata Zatorska's childhood in rural Poland, mixing stories of her youth and her grandmother’s handwritten recipes with stunning photos of Poland in summer. “From fold-out endpapers featuring colorful, folksy textiles, to the lace overprint on the front cover, the textures are so rich they almost render the experience three dimensional. "In addition to being a serious cookbook with more than 50 Polish recipes (from pierogi to poppy-seed cake) taken from Beata's grandmother's handwritten notes, as miraculously preserved as preserves, Rose Petal Jam is also part memoir and part travelogue, the story of Beata's idyllic childhood in the rural Karkonosze Mountains and her later day adventurous travels with Simon in Poland today.
Reviews
"I left Poland at the age of seven but my roots will always be there and the spirit of my homeland flows in my veins. I give it four stars because sometimes the timing and instructions to the cooking process needs to be modified slightly but all round a gem!!!"
"And, it is very much a “coffee table book”: It is artistically laid out; there are very many photographs, both new and old; the writing is thoughtful and thought-provoking, with the stories, history and information very interesting to read; the content of the book—the combination of the pictures and the words—is often very poignant. About the recipes: As an example of the flexible instructions: The recipe for rose petal jam is to gather 3-4 large handfuls of the wild rose “Rosa canina” and place them in a stone mortar, slowly pour in about a pound of sugar and crush with the pestle to create a paste. In a way, that “loose”, open attitude is exactly what’s wonderful about Babcia’s (Grandma’s) recipes, but in another way, it won’t be helpful to a new cook."
"Beautiful pictures and her writing paints a picture of the unforgettable landscape, people and food of a beloved country that still remains a hidden gem to western cultures."
"I'm looking forward to Beata's next book and also the publication of this book in the Polish language."
"This book is not only beautiful but it tells such a heart-felt story about childhood memories and the loss of leaving your homeland."
"The format and photography is as lovely as you could find in an art book."
"If anyone wants to read why your heart never leaves Poland no matter what part of the world life takes you to, this book is for you."
"The book was much larger and weightier than I expected, but it was the size that encouraged me to slow down, and sit and enjoy the stories and pictures."
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Best General Poland Travel Guides

Rose Petal Jam: Recipes and Stories from a Summer in Poland
Part memoir and part travelogue, this unique cookbook that the story of Beata Zatorska's childhood in rural Poland, mixing stories of her youth and her grandmother’s handwritten recipes with stunning photos of Poland in summer. “From fold-out endpapers featuring colorful, folksy textiles, to the lace overprint on the front cover, the textures are so rich they almost render the experience three dimensional. "In addition to being a serious cookbook with more than 50 Polish recipes (from pierogi to poppy-seed cake) taken from Beata's grandmother's handwritten notes, as miraculously preserved as preserves, Rose Petal Jam is also part memoir and part travelogue, the story of Beata's idyllic childhood in the rural Karkonosze Mountains and her later day adventurous travels with Simon in Poland today.
Reviews
"I left Poland at the age of seven but my roots will always be there and the spirit of my homeland flows in my veins. I give it four stars because sometimes the timing and instructions to the cooking process needs to be modified slightly but all round a gem!!!"
"And, it is very much a “coffee table book”: It is artistically laid out; there are very many photographs, both new and old; the writing is thoughtful and thought-provoking, with the stories, history and information very interesting to read; the content of the book—the combination of the pictures and the words—is often very poignant. About the recipes: As an example of the flexible instructions: The recipe for rose petal jam is to gather 3-4 large handfuls of the wild rose “Rosa canina” and place them in a stone mortar, slowly pour in about a pound of sugar and crush with the pestle to create a paste. In a way, that “loose”, open attitude is exactly what’s wonderful about Babcia’s (Grandma’s) recipes, but in another way, it won’t be helpful to a new cook."
"This book is not only beautiful but it tells such a heart-felt story about childhood memories and the loss of leaving your homeland."
"Beautiful pictures and her writing paints a picture of the unforgettable landscape, people and food of a beloved country that still remains a hidden gem to western cultures."
"The book was much larger and weightier than I expected, but it was the size that encouraged me to slow down, and sit and enjoy the stories and pictures."
"This is probably the most beautiful cookbook I have ever seen."
"The format and photography is as lovely as you could find in an art book."
"I'm looking forward to Beata's next book and also the publication of this book in the Polish language."
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Best Children's Christian Books

Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
The multiple award-winning Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. Tullian Tchividjian, Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church -- PCA, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Jago's award-winning cover art is a foretaste of the whimsically insightful and richly colored drawings that await you on every one of the book's 351 pages. Lloyd-Jones does it as well as any biblical commentator....The title and subtitle are even better than the book's delightful illustrations and narrative -- because they provide, in one deft stroke, the interpretive key that unlocks the meaning of the whole Bible. True, that's to be expected when you combine the mesmerizing illustrations of Jago and the award-winning writing of Sally Lloyd-Jones, a Brit with an uncanny knack for storytelling. True, that's to be expected when you combine the mesmerizing illustrations of Jago and the award-winning writing of Sally Lloyd-Jones, a Brit with an uncanny knack for storytelling. -- More to Life Magazine In the interests of full disclosure, let me reveal that I had the privilege of reading the manuscript of this book several years ago as a theological consultant to Zondervan, the publisher. I hope that every family, and even people without young children, would get a copy of this book just to remind them of what the Real Story of the Bible is all about.
Reviews
"I've tried three or four toddler Bibles, but they ranged from the meaningless and banal (Read With Me Bible For Toddlers) to the downright horrifying in their interpretation (The Story For Little Ones). The Jesus Storybook Bible, on the other hand, seeks to show how God's plan of salvation is unfolding through each story, and largely succeeds in doing so. First of all, there are children's Bibles like the Read With Me Bible that are simply bland. Granted, toddlers are not going to pick up on every nuance of a story from the Bible, but the Read With Me Bible often chooses the wrong points to emphasize, entirely leaving out important points of narrative along the way. One story simply lists miracles Jesus did with no context, failing to communicate that Jesus' miracles actually anticipate and begin to realize a new world, a world where God's Kingdom and rule are breaking into the world in a new and exciting way. This simply displays a level of ignorance about the story of Samson that is beyond belief for someone writing (interpreting) a Bible for children! So, for example, the story of the Exodus is told not as the story of God's great magic show, but instead on the great, mighty, and terrifying rescue of God's people from their slavery, pointing forward also to humanity's slavery to sin and coming rescue in Jesus. But again, the strength of this Bible is that it gets the story right, interpreting the main idea correctly and always pointing toward Jesus."
"For someone who may be familiar with the full version of the Bible and may be concerned about teaching children biblical accuracy, this book may be found a bit frustrating. While the illustrations are whimsical and a great accompaniment to the text, and the story language is simple and easy to follow, there are an awful lot of unnecessary additions."
"I personally like the cover because the picture of Jesus, I believe, is more accurate than the traditional image of a "white" Jesus that we usually see."
"I love this, I have toddlers and want them to know about the happiest, greatest story in all the world<3 Its simple and sweet and I love how each biblical story ends with how that story paves the way for Jesus. Mostly the main message, the good news; God loves the world, loves YOU, no matter what!"
"It’s great to read alternate translations (even kids versions) while retaining biblical accuracy."
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