Jewish American Heritage Month Book Recommendations

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Let’s celebrate by reading books that include Jewish representation and discuss the Jewish American experience throughout history.

Picture Books

Joyful Song: A Naming Story by Lesléa Newman

Zachary is so excited about his baby sister’s naming ceremony. On the walk to the ceremony, he meets various members from his community and invites them to the ceremony as well. This is a beautiful, inclusive book about family, tradition, and community.

Matilda Makes Matzah Balls by Rhonda Cohen

This year is the start of a new Passover tradition: Matilda is helping her Bubbe make matzah ball soup! Follow Matilda as she experiments with the recipe with support from her grandmother in this fun and colorful book about trying new things.

Mitzvah Pizza by Marge Kaplan

Missy is on the way to the Pizza shop with her dad, discussing how she should spend her Hanukah money. When she gets there, she learns about the sticky note wall representing pre-paid slices of pizza for those who cannot afford it. Missy decides to use her money to donate to the pizza fund, which her father explains is a Mitzvah. This relatable story has a great message about the value of helping others.

Bring Back the Babka by Marilyn Wolpin

Mama’s fresh baked babka is missing, and Sammy and Sol are on the case! This fun mystery mentions several delicious Jewish dishes and highlights the importance of community.

Challah Day! by Charlotte Offsay

This cheerful rhyming book follows a family as they bake some challah. At the end of the book, readers can learn more about challah, its traditions, and its significance. 

Non Fiction Books

Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman

This beautiful biography discusses Itzhak Perlman, a boy from Tel Aviv who overcame polio at a young age and became a Grammy-award winning violinist.

Klezmer! by Kyra Teis

Learn about klezmer, music traditional to Central and Eastern Europe that has been adopted in America blending American big band swing with the traditional style. This book is bright and rhythmic; it includes beautiful collages, onomatopoeia, and rhymes.

She’s A Mensch! Jewish Women Who Rocked the World by Rachelle Burk

Learn about 20 Jewish women who have helped shape history in many different ways. This book features amazing illustrations alongside short biographies of inspiring Jewish women. At the end, a timeline displays these women throughout history.

Chapter Books

The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet by Jake Maia Arlow

Twelve-year-old Al is struggling with an overprotective mother, growing apart from her best friend, and a recent Crohn’s diagnosis. At the same time, she has found a support group and has her first girl crush. This is a heartfelt book full of humor, friendship, and self-discovery.

One Eye Laughing, the Other Weeping: The Diary of Julie Weiss by Barry Denenberg

Set in 1938, this book follows twelve-year-old Julie Weiss during the Nazi persecution of Jews in Austria. The book provides a picture of what Austria was like before the Holocaust and follows Julie as she moves to America to live with family fleeing the persecution she was experiencing at home. This book is part of the Dear America series.

Linked by Gordon Korman

Linc lives in a small town in Colorado, and the story begins with someone painting swastikas around the town. In response to this, Linc’s school participates in the Six Million Paper Clips program, representing and remembering the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust. The story explores themes of history, personal responsibility, and the media. 

We hope this helps you find a new favorite book!

-Rebecca and Alyssa