May is Jewish American Heritage Month! This time of year is a great opportunity to celebrate and honor Jewish American contributions to the arts, sciences, culture, politics, and other aspects of society. Below is an approachable book list for readers of all ages who want to learn more about Jewish American heritage, celebrate Jewish American stories, and honor Jewish American talent and skill. As we get ready to dive into Summer Reading, consider adding a few books to your reading list!
YOUTH
- Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey by Ruth Behar
A poignant multicultural ode to family and what it means to create a home as one girl helps her Tía move away from her beloved Miami apartment. - The Spy Who Played Baseball by Carrie Jones
Moe Berg is not a typical baseball player. He's Jewish--very unusual for the major leagues in the 1930s--has a law degree, speaks several languages, and loves traveling the world. He also happens to be a spy for the U.S. government. When World War II begins, Moe trades his baseball career for a life of danger and secrecy. - Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan's Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants by Norman H. Finkelstein
A loving tribute to a towering figure in Jewish American history from two award-winning creators. - Hank on First! How Hank Greenberg Became a Star On and Off the Field by Stephen Krensky
A story about the baseball player Hank Greenberg: how he balanced his love of baseball with his Jewish heritage, and how he stood up for his beliefs. - What Rosa Brought by Jacob Sager Weinstein
A stunning picture book about a young Jewish girl fleeing Nazi occupation with her parents. While her parents work at their store, she plays with her grandmother, reads her favorite books, and climbs trees. - Lilah Tov, Good Night by Mister G
Text based on a Hebrew lullaby tells the story of a Jewish refugee family traveling by night to find a safe home in a new land. - Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar
In 1938, eleven-year-old Esther joins her father in tropical, multicultural Cuba, where they toil together to rescue the rest of their Jewish family from persecution in Poland. Includes notes about the author's grandmother, on whom the story is based.
TWEEN
- The Lost Ryu by Emi Watanabe Cohen
A story of multigenerational pain, magic, and the lengths to which we'll go to protect the people we love. - Noah Green Saves the World by Laura Toffler-Corrie
Twelve-year-old aspiring filmmaker Noah stumbles his way through the summer at a Jewish sleepaway camp while his elderly grandfather is sending him messages by carrier pigeon about saving the world. - The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe
Shaindy is a twelve-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl who has no good friends, until she and her neighbor Gayil set up a harmless prank in their classroom. But under Gayil's instigation the mischief becomes malice, and Shaindy must figure out how to stop it. - Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucido
In this heartfelt middle school drama, Hannah's schemes for throwing her own bat mitzvah unleash family secrets, create rivalries with best friends, and ultimately teach Hannah what being Jewish is all about. - Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen
In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes. - The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero
Staying with her aunt in Prague, aspiring violinist Ilana finds a forgotten Jewish cemetery where she meets a kindhearted ghost named Benjamin who introduces her to the enchanted side of the city where she resolves to save the boy she loves. - This is Just a Test by Madelyn Rosenberg
A 12-year-old boy is caught in the middle of cultures, friends, and growing up Chinese Jewish American in this acclaimed, hilariously witty, and heartwarming coming-of-age story.
TEEN
- "Nice" Jewish Girls by Julie Merberg
Thirty-six mini biographies of groundbreaking, outspoken, odds-defying Jewish women explore their fascinating lives, as well as the ways in which they were shaped by their heritage. - She's a Mensch!: Ten Amazing Jewish Women by Anne Dublin
From the poorest neighborhoods in Kenya to the halls of the Canadian Supreme Court, the Jewish women found in these pages have accomplished remarkable feats. Some survived the horrors of the Holocaust while others had more peaceful childhoods, but all of them saw unfairness in their world and decided to do something about it. - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel-- a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors. - The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Issac Blum
An irreverent and timely story of worlds colliding in friendship, betrayal, and the hatred that divides us. - The Berlin Boxing Club by Rob Sharenow
In 1936 Berlin, fourteen-year-old Karl Stern, considered Jewish despite a non-religious upbringing, learns to box from the legendary Max Schmeling while struggling with the realities of the Holocaust. - Once More with Chutzpah by Haley Neil
Anxious eighteen-year-old Tally and her twin Max set off on a whirlwind high school exchange trip to Israel where she grapples with her Jewish identity, mental health, and sexuality.
ADULT
- Feasting: A New Take on Jewish Cooking by Amanda Ruben
Eighty recipes for the new generation of Jewish home cooks who are looking for a modern, healthier approach. - The Orchard by David Hopen
A commanding debut and a poignant coming-of-age story about a devout Jewish high school student whose plunge into the secularized world threatens everything he knows of himself. - House on Endless Waters by Emunah Elon
An exquisitely moving novel about a writer who discovers the truth about his mother's wartime years in Amsterdam, unearthing a shocking family secret that becomes the subject of his magnum opus. - Sadie on a Plate by Amanda Elliot
A chef's journey to success leads to discovering the perfect recipe for love in this delicious romantic comedy.
Visit jewishamericanheritage.org to learn more about American Jews, and explore more reading material, podcasts, TV, local events, and other resources that celebrate and elevate Jewish American voices! Plus, visit your Cromaine Library and speak to a talented Librarian for more recommendations. We are always excited to help you find the material or resource you're looking for!