In May, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month by reading and sharing stories by Jewish American authors and illustrators. Celebrate in your school or library by uplifting these voices all year round! Enter a sweepestakes below for the chance to win an advance reading copy of Caldecott Medalist Uri Shulevitz’s final work, The Sky Was My Blanket. Find more resources on the Jewish American Heritage Month website.
THE SKY WAS MY BLANKET SWEEPSTAKES
Enter for a chance to win a galley of Caldecott Medalist Uri Shulevitz’s final work, The Sky Was My Blanket: A Young Man’s Journey Across Wartime Europe. From celebrated Caldecott Award-winning illustrator Uri Shulevitz comes the gripping and revealing true story of a young Polish exile fighting to survive in war-torn Europe. Inspired by the true story of Uri’s uncle and stunningly illustrated by the author, this is a unique and riveting account of one man’s courage and resilience amidst one of the darkest periods in global history.
Read on for more resources to use in your library or classroom!
Click the tabs below to view more books by Jewish American authors in each age category.
Tree of Life
by Nalini Nadkarni; illustrated by Kendra Binney
A lift-the-flap book about the animals, plants, and fungi that live in trees, written by pioneering tree scientist Nalini Nadkarni.
A single tree can be home to hundreds of different species. This joyous book highlights some of the best tree habitats in the world, with plenty of fun things for young readers to spot in each stunning illustration by Kendra Binney. After spying a creature hidden in the foliage they can lift a flap to learn more about it.
The book includes famous trees like coast redwoods and ancient oaks, as well as some species kids might be less familiar with–like the dragon blood tree of Yemen! They will meet swinging orangutans in the dipterocarp trees of Asia, witness elephants drinking from wells inside the baobab trees of Africa, and spy some sleepy koalas in the eucalyptus trees of Australia. The Tree of Life also looks at the importance of these giants on human societies, such as the Hindu festivals that take place among the roots of the Indian banyan.
By the end of the book kids will have a new-found appreciation for the role trees play in ecosystems all over the world.
Madame Alexander: The Creator of the Iconic American Doll
by Susan Goldman Rubin; illustrated by Sarah Dvojack
A Sydney Taylor Notable Book
An inspiring, uplifting picture book biography about iconic doll creator, Madame Alexander, whose love for dolls and bringing joy to others began at a young age and only continued to grow.
Everybody Has a Body
by Molli Jackson Ehlert; illustrated by Lorian Tu
A 2024 Rise: A Feminist Book Project Selection
In this body neutral picture book, debut author Molli Jackson Ehlert and illustrator Lorian Tu show us all of the different ways bodies can look and all of the things they can do – now with three starred reviews!
★”Honest, loving, and powerful.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★”This positive look at the differences we see and enjoy everywhere we look every day is an important viewpoint that should help children see differences that are to be celebrated in every corner of our world.” –School Library Journal, starred review
★”Employing digestible, body-neutral text in this necessary read, Ehlert explains many ways that bodies can look and behave as they “take us through the world.”” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
Seeds of Change
by Nina Laden; illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
From award-winning, bestselling author Nina Laden comes a poetic picture book about having the courage and resilience to plant “seeds” that will improve ourselves and our community.
A Taste of Home
by Richard Ho; illustrated by Sibu T. P.
On sale August 2024
In this colorful celebration of culture, community, and the food that binds us all together, follow a young boy on a culinary tour of New York City, perfect for fans of ALL ARE WELCOME and WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
You Be Grandpa
by Karla Clark; illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Karla Clark’s You Be series continues with You Be Grandpa, all about a grandpa who is just too tired to do the bedtime routine after a long day of activities and asks his grandson to take over for him.
Spark
by Chris Baron
On sale 7/18/2025
As a community recovers from a devastating wildfire, two friends find their way back to each other and their homes, by award-winning author Chris Baron.
Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Tarshis.
Finn and his friend, nicknamed Rabbit, live in a rural area that’s been hit hard by wildfires. Families were displaced and school was interrupted. Moreover, their beloved forest is suffering — animals and plants haven’t been able to come back, and the two friends wonder if there’s anything they can do to help. Rabbit’s uncle, a science teacher, is part of a study that may help bring the forest back to life, but Finn and Rabbit wonder if the forest can wait. And what if another fire comes in the meantime? They believe a small part of the forest — the forest heart — that survived the wildfire may hold the key to regrowth, but first, they have to find it and then convince the adults around them to listen.
For any young person who’s ever felt powerless against the world, here is a story about two kids doing all they can to understand their natural world and preserve it.
A School Library Journal Most Anticipated Middle Grade Book of 2025
“A deftly woven and poignant story . . . of a family and a community grappling with the aftermath of a fire, and the activism of young people to protect what is closest to their hearts.” —Pam Muñoz Ryan, Newbery Honor–winning author of Echo.
The Sky Was My Blanket: Young Man’s Journey Across Wartime Europe
by Uri Shulevitz
On sale 8/18/2025
From celebrated Caldecott Award–winning illustrator Uri Shulevitz comes the gripping and revealing true story of a young Polish exile fighting to survive in war-torn Europe.
Born in the tumult of World War I, a young Jewish boy named Yehiel Szulewicz chafes at the borders of his hometown of Żyrardów, Poland, and at the rules set in place by his restrictive parents. Brimming with a desire for true adventure, he leaves home at fifteen-and-a-half years old to seek his future elsewhere. Little does Yehiel know, he’ll never see his parents again.
His journey takes him beyond Polish borders, to Austria, Croatia, France, and Spain. With no money and no ID papers, he often sleeps under the stars, with only the sky as his blanket. But even wayfaring Yehiel can’t outrun the evil spreading across Europe in the years leading up to World War II. As the fascists and Nazis rise to power, Yehiel soon finds himself a member of the Spanish Republican Army and then the Jewish Resistance in Vichy France, fighting for freedom, his friends, and his very life.
Inspired by the true story of Uri Shulevitz’s uncle and stunningly illustrated by the author, The Sky Was My Blanket is a unique and riveting account of one man’s courage and resilience amidst one of the darkest periods in global history.
Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules
Rachel Friedman and Eight Not-Perfect Nights of Hanukkah
Rachel Friedman Is Not the Queen
by Sarah Kapit; illustrated by Genevieve Kote
Introducing a charming chapter book series starring Rachel Friedman, a sweet and silly Jewish girl renowned for her peanut butter challah baking skills and larger-than-life personality!
The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival
by Estelle Nadel with Bethany Strout; illustrated by Sammy Savos
A Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
A heartrending graphic memoir about a young Jewish girl’s fight for survival in Nazi occupied Poland, The Girl Who Sang illustrates the power of a brother’s love, the kindness of strangers, and finding hope when facing the unimaginable.
“A shocking, heart-wrenching survival story, skillfully told and beautifully drawn.” —Steve Sheinkin, author of the New York Times bestseller Bomb and Impossible Escape
★”Sweeping, stark, tragic, and triumphant. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★“An excellent accompaniment to lessons on World War II, this book will help countless students examine the Holocaust on a personal level.” —School Library Journal, starred review
Let It Glow
by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy
Twin sisters separated at birth meet by chance at tryouts for a holiday pageant, and set out to make a love match for their single grandparents, in this enchanting middle-grade novel.
“Via alternating chapters, Holly and Aviva avoid near discovery, miss their families, plan for the pageant, and learn what being sisters feels like in this charming family-focused holiday tale.”—Publishers Weekly
Banned Books, Crop Tops, & Other Bad Influences
by Brigit Young
Perfect for fans of Star Fish and From the Desk of Zoe Washington, a nuanced middle grade from the author of The Prettiest about two girls—one “bad” and one “good”—who join forces against book banning and censorship.
The Magical Imperfect
by Chris Baron
A Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book
For fans of Wonder, Chris Baron’s The Magical Imperfect is an affecting middle grade story of two outcasts who become friends…
“Etan’s honest and lovable voice, and its growing strength, that carries this tender novel.” — Publishers Weekly
Brooklyn Bridge
by Karen Hesse; Illustrated by Chris Sheban
A Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner
From the incomparable Karen Hesse comes a powerfully evocative and accessible family story, set at the turn of the century, by turns serious, funny, and with a touch of magical realism.
★“In this tale of Dickensian contrasts in kindness and cruelty, Brooklyn comes alive with the details of time and place, but it is the shadow of pain and transcendence cast symbolically by the bridge that haunts and compels. Another work of enduring excellence from Hesse.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”
by Deborah Heiligman
From award-winning author Deborah Heiligman comes Torpedoed, a true account of the attack and sinking of the passenger ship SS City of Benares, which was evacuating children from England during WWII.
★”An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★”Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age.” —Booklist, starred review
★”Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair . . . a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event.”—School Library Journal, starred review
★”Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record.” —Horn Book, starred review
Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare
by Andrea Balis & Elizabeth Levy; illustrations by Tim Foley
A cutting-edge look into a pivotal moment in US history: McCarthy’s infamous “witch hunt” for communists during the 1950’s Red Scare.
★ “A scorcher that exposes shameful attitudes, personalities, and events that might seem eerily familiar.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “A fast-paced, even suspenseful read that brings history dramatically alive.” — Booklist, starred review
Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe
by Steve Sheinkin
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book
From three-time National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor author Steve Sheinkin, a true story of two Jewish teenagers racing against time during the Holocaust—one in hiding in Hungary, and the other in Auschwitz, plotting escape.
★ “Passionate, absorbing, and, unfortunately, more than a little relevant to current events.” —Kirkus, starred review
★ “[A]n important, highly readable addition to the library of Holocaust literature for young people.” —Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
★ “Sheinkin has penned another must-read with this powerful and harrowing account.” —School Library Journal, starred review
★ “Sheinkin’s meticulous research, memorable subjects, and haunting atmosphere contribute to an exceptional, soul-stirring narrative… nonfiction at its best.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review
★ “National Book Award finalist, Newbery Honoree, and Sibert Medalist Sheinkin is a tried-and-true nonfiction expert whose books make big events, like WWII, accessible for younger readers. This latest, which draws on his own family history, is no exception.” —Booklist, starred review
★ “In his latest masterful work of narrative nonfiction, Sheinkin’s tale of suspense is tinged with the physical and psychological horror of the Holocaust.” —Horn Book Magazine, starred review
This Dark Descent
Our Deadly Designs (coming November 2024!)
by Kalyn Josephson
Called a “fierce and darkly magical thrill ride” by acclaimed author Ava Reid, NYT bestselling Kalyn Josephson delivers a spellbinding fantasy duology full of intrigue, romance, and pulse-pounding action, perfect for fans of The Shadows Between Us and The Scorpio Races.
★ “An uncommonly arresting fantasy that questions the price of goodness, the cost of magic, and the depths of humanity.” —Booklist, starred review
“A riveting, clever Jewish fantasy that had me racing through the pages. With dangerous magic, high-stakes political intrigue, and a stunning cast of characters (and animal companions!), This Dark Descent is sure to leave readers begging for the sequel.” —Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic
Out of Our League: 16 Stories of Girls in Sports
edited by Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A compelling YA anthology from editors Dahlia Adler and Jennifer Iacopelli about the trials and triumphs of girls in sports.
“The characters display grit and determination as they learn a new sport or struggle with team dynamics. Impressively inclusive with plenty of appeal for sports lovers and couch potatoes alike.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[The character’s] victories, outside of pushing themselves and winning scores, are personal and political, and offer an inclusive sense of empowerment that inspires.” —School Library Journal
Replay: Memoir of an Uprooted Family
by Jordan Mechner
In this intergenerational graphic memoir, renowned video game designer Jordan Mechner traces his family’s journey through war, Nazi occupation, and everyday marital strife.
