Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education

Educational Resources

Jewish Book Read-In

SEIDMAN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE CENTERJEWISH BOOK READ-IN

NEW BOOKS FOR 2003/5764

Compiled by Nancy M. Messinger,
Director of Educational Resources

For Children Ages 5 - 8

The Bachelor and the Bean by Shelley Fowles. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.
Based on a Jewish Sephardic folk tale. A grumpy bachelor, an irritable imp and a nasty-tempered thief interact in a lively tale.

Chicken Soup by Heart by Esther Hershenhorn , illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger. New York, NY: Simon and Shuster, 2002.
Spiced with a bit of Yiddish flavoring, this look at an intergenerational friendship is as satisfying as a bowl of chicken soup.

Noah’s Ark by Jerry Pinkney. New York, NY: SeaStar/North-South Books, 2002.
Award-winning illustrations accompany a text true to the biblical story of Noah. The text focuses on the relationship among nature, humans and the divine.

Rachel’s Gift by Richard Ungar. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2003.
Springtime in Chelm: Passover is approaching and Rachel learns about the message that the prophet Elijah brings.

There’s Room in My House by Malky Weinstock, illustrated by Melanie Schmidt. Jerusalem/Nanuet, NY: Feldheim Publishers, 2002.
Sarah is reluctant to invite guests for Shabbat until an unexpected visitor convinces her that sharing the day enhances its meaning.

When the Chickens Went on Strike: A Rosh HaShanah Tale, adapted from a story by Sholom Aleichem, by Matthew Trueman, illustrated by Erika Silverman. New York, NY: Dutton Books, 2003.
One Rosh HaShanah, sick of being used for Kapores (the Yom Kippur custom in which people swing a live chicken over their heads hoping to erase their bad deeds), the town chickens plan to go out on strike. This amusing and telling story about wise chickens and foolish villagers will be enjoyed by anyone who has ever wanted to be a better person.

For Children Ages 8 - 10

The Brass Serpent by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Joanna Miller. New York, NY: Pitspopany, 2002.
Why do physicians and hospitals the world over use, as a symbol of the doctor’s healing power, a staff with a snake curled around it? This beautifully illustrated story explains its Biblical origin!

Invisible Kingdoms: Jewish Tales of Angels, Spirits and Demons by Howard Schwartz, illustrated by Stephen Fieser. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2002.
A collection of Jewish folktales, retold by the author with each source noted and appended. The tales are from Jewish communities around the world.

A Picture of Grandmother by Esther Hautzig, illustrated by Beth Peck. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2002.
A family drama set in pre-war Vilna revolves around an old family photo. This charming and haunting novella was the Association of Jewish Libraries’ 2002 Sydney Taylor Honor Book.

More Precious than Gold by Evelyn Mizrahi Blatt and Eve-Lynn J. Gordon. Brooklyn, NY: Fun-to-Read Book by Hachai, 2002.
This historical novel is set in Seville, Spain, 1492. “Torah and mitzvot are more precious than gold” is the motto for each of the story’s ten chapters. A Jewish family chooses to flee Spain and their adventures as they travel to find a new home are presented.

The Shabbat Angels by Maxine Segal Handelman, illustrated by Joani Keller Rothenberg. New York, NY: UAHC Press, 2003.
A modern retelling of the Talmudic story of the two angels, Tov and Rah, that visit each home every Friday evening. Brightly colored illustrations add to the meaning of Shabbat Shalom for today’s families.

For Children Ages 11 +

Adara by Beatrice Gormley. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
Historical fiction set during the time of Biblical King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. This is the story of the fictional Adara, a Jewish girl captured by an Aramean general and her assistance in bringing him to the Prophet Elisha who cures him of leprosy.

Dear Emma by Johanna Hurwitz, illustrated by Barbara Garrison. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2002.
The world of early 20th century Jewish life on the Lower East Side of New York City is revealed in the correspondence between a young NYC girl and her friend in Vermont.

Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levene. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press, 2002.
Winner of the 2002 Sydney Taylor Book Award for Older Readers. The author relates the story of Fumiku Ishroka, curator of a small Holocaust Center in Tokyo, researches a suitcase submitted for an exhibit at the museum. We learn the immense impact of the Holocaust by focusing on the life of one of its victims.

Mitzvah Magic: What Kids Can Do to Change the World by Danny Siegel. Minneapolis, MN: Kar-Ben/Lerner, 2002.
In this sequel to Tell Me a Mitzvah, young heroes are profiled doing good deeds in various ways. Students are inspired by peer counterparts taking part in tikkun olam.

Who Was the Woman Who Wore the Hat? by Nancy Patz. New York, NY: Dutton Books, 2003.
A beautifully written poem/essay about reflections of the author’s visit to the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam. She asks, “Who was the woman? What was her life like? What happened to her?”