Recommended Reading

The Chocolate King by Leventhal, Michael

In seventeenth-century Spain, Benjamin and his family leave for France to escape religious persecution. In France, Benjamin's dreams of making chocolate seem bleak until a chance encounter with the king of France. Includes a history of chocolate, the Jewish community, and a recipe for hot chocolate.

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Agee, Jon

A knight who feels secure on his side of the wall that divides his book discovers that his side is not as safe as he thought, and the other side is not as threatening.

Chooch Helped by Rogers, Andrea L.

A Cherokee girl introduces her younger brother to their family's traditions—begrudgingly!—in this picture book.

Home in a Lunchbox by Mo, Cherry

After moving to America from Hong Kong, Jun feels isolated at her new school but discovers a sense of home in the familiar foods and flavors she finds in her lunchbox.

No Cats in the Library by Emmons, Lauren

Clarisse, a street cat who loves books, finds a new home in the library as a read-aloud cat.

Mr. S by Arnaldo, Monica

When a kindergarten class arrives for the first day at school, they are greeted only by the words "Mr. S" on the chalkboard and a delicious-looking sandwich, resulting in merry mayhem as the kids wonder if the sandwich is their teacher.

Into the Goblin Market by VanSickle, Vikki

In this ode to the classic poem, sisters Mina and Millie are warned of the Goblin Market's dangers, but Mina cannot resist. When she doesn't return home, Millie must be brave and outwit the goblins to save her.

What Rosa Brought by Sager Weinstein, Jacob

In this story of family, immigration, and identity, and a love that crosses oceans and lifespans, a young Jewish girl fleeing Nazi occupation with her parents wonders where they'll go and what she'll be able to bring with her.

My Daddy is a Cowboy by Seales, Stephanie

While a young Panamanian-American girl and her father share "just-us" time on an early morning horseback ride around their town, he tells her cowboy stories and she realizes she is a cowboy, too.

Fast Asleep in a Little Village in Israel by MacLeod, Jennifer Tzivia

In a little village in Israel, various sounds have kept Mrs. Strauss awake, but when the first rain of the season comes, it quiets everything else.

The Book that Almost Rhymed by Abed, Omar

A boy begrudgingly composes a sometimes-rhyming adventure with his precocious little sister.

Wishes by Van, Muon Thi

In this spare, poetic picture book based on author Muon Van's family history and told through a series of wishes, a family packs up everything they own and embarks on a perilous oceanic voyage toward a better life.

Friends are Friends, Forever by Liu, Dane

Just before Chinese New Year, Dandan discovers that her family is moving to America, far away from her best friend Yueyue. Before they leave, Yueyue gives her a stack of red paper and a spool of string so she can share the art of paper cutting with Americans. When Chinese New Year comes around again, Dandan remembers Yueyue's gift and introduces her new friend Christina to this ancient art.

Imaginary Fred by Colfer, Eoin

Fred is the best imaginary friend you could ever hope for, but no matter how hard he tries, the same thing always happens: his friend finds a real friend in the real world, and Fred fades away, bit by bit, waiting to be wished for again. Then one day, a boy named Sam wishes for a friend, and Fred appears! For a while, everything is perfect. But what about the day when Sam finds a real friend? Could it be that this time, something magical might happen?

Dory Fantasmagory (series) by Hanlon, Abby 

As the youngest member of her family, Dory is often left to her own devices—including her wild imagination, untiring energy, and a whole host of imaginary friends.  With plenty of pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious series about an irresistible rascal is the new must-read for the chapter book set.

Skunk and Badger (series) by Timberlake, Amy 

Wallace and Gromit meets Winnie-the-Pooh in a fresh take on a classic odd-couple friendship, from Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake, with full-color and black-and-white illustrations throughout by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen.

The Princess in Black (series) by Hale, Shannon 

Who says princesses don’t wear black? Not Princess Magnolia, whose monster-fighting alter ego saves the kingdom from monsters again and again in this funny, action-packed series.

Lola Levine (series) by Brown, Monica

Lola Levine likes writing in her diario, sipping her mom's cafe con leche, eating her dad's matzo ball soup, and playing soccer with her team, the Orange Smoothies. So what if she doesn't always fit in? A popular children's chapter book series about Lola's adventures that navigate themes of family, friendship, school, sports, and embracing one's unique identity.

Aven Green (series) by Bowling, Dusti 

Aven Green is an upbeat and confident third grader who was born without arms. The series focuses on Aven's various adventures and challenges as she navigates friendships, learns new skills, and confronts relatable childhood experiences with a positive attitude and sense of humor.

Jo Jo Makoons (series) by Quigley, Dawn 

Hello/Boozhoo—meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in an all-new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is.

Beatrice Zinker (series) by Johannes, Shelley

This chapter book series follows Beatrice Zinker, a third grader who does her best thinking upside down.

Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters by Slade, Suzanne

The true story of the high-flying Harlem Globetrotters—the team that changed basketball forever.

Just like Rube Goldberg: The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines by Aronson, Sarah

Discover how Rube Goldberg followed his dreams to become an award-winning cartoonist, inventor, and even an adjective in the dictionary in this inspiring and funny biographical picture book.

Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by McDaniel, Breanna J.

A picture book biography about librarian and storyteller Augusta Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public library.

Ruth Handler: I Created Barbie by Troupe, Thomas Kingsley

Here's readers' chance to get to know Ruth Handler, creator of Barbie. Learn what inspired her to design the iconic doll. Go back in time to see how Barbie made her big debut. Peek inside the mind behind one of the best-known and best-loved toys on the planet.

She's a Mensch!: Jewish Women Who Rocked the World by Burk, Rachelle

Meet inspirational Jewish women in this book, including a Judo champion, a chess grandmaster, a spacewalking astronaut, a World War II spy, and more.

Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman by Koffsky, Ann D.

Eleven-year-old ping-pong phenomenon Estee Ackerman must make a difficult choice. When her championship match is scheduled on the Jewish Sabbath, will she go for the gold medal, or honor her faith? Read the true story of how a young girl struggled to uphold her beliefs while pursuing her passion.

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Lanan, Jessica

A nonfiction picture book that follows a day in the life of a backyard jumping spider.

Here is the World : A Year of Jewish Holidays by Newman, Lesléa

Illustrates the joy and significance of each Jewish holiday throughout the year, with further information, crafts, and recipes at the back of the book.

We Can Sign!: An Essential Illustrated Guide to American Sign Language for Kids by Adams, Tara

Discover how simple learning sign language for kids can be! Whether it's for reaching out to a deaf person, chatting with friends across a crowded room, or just learning an amazing new language, We Can Sign! is an essential guide to getting started with American Sign Language for kids.

The Singer and the Scientist by Rose, Lisa

Singer Marian Anderson and scientist Albert Einstein become friends, connecting over similar experiences with prejudice and a shared passion for music, when Marian is turned away from a hotel that bars African-Americans in mid-century America.

One of a Kind: The life of Sydney Taylor by Michelson, Richard

For fans of All-of-a-Kind Family, here is the true story of how Sarah Brenner, a poor girl from New York City’s Lower East Side, became Sydney Taylor: dancer, actress, and successful children’s book author.

Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube by Aradhya, Kerry

Presents an illustrated look at Ernő Rubik and the Rubik's Cube, revealing the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of the puzzle that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Beam of Light: The Story of the First White House Menoarah by Boxer, Elisa

The nonfiction story of how the official White House menorah came to be.

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now by Colvin, Claudette and Hoose, Phillip

Civil rights icon Claudette Colvin teams up with Phillip Hoose―author of the Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning blockbuster biography Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice―to tell her groundbreaking story in this unforgettable picture book illustrated by New York Times–bestselling artist Bea Jackson.

Who Was the Greatest?: Muhammad Ali by Soria, Gabriel

Explore the journey Muhmmad Ali took to win his final match against fellow heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier, a fight known as the "Thrilla in Manila." A story of athleticism, heart, and determination, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the explosive power of the boxing champion and civil rights activist,

Tale of the Flying Forest by Romero, R. M.

A Jewish girl journeys to the enchanted flying forest of Bei Ilai to find and rescue her long-lost twin brother, recovering pieces of his broken heart along the way.

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Farrant, Natasha

In the aftermath of World War I, two orphaned friends set off in a narrowboat from England as each hopes to find a missing part of themselves in France.

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Warga, Jasmine

A painting has been stolen! When Rami sees a floating girl in the museum, he knows he has seen her somewhere before. Then he realizes: she looks just like the girl in the painting that has gone missing. But how does her appearance connect to the theft?

Paper Wishes by Sepahban, Lois

Near the start of World War II, young Manami, her parents, and her grandfather are evacuated from their home and sent to Manzanar, an ugly, dreary internment camp in the desert for Japanese-American citizens.

Safiyyah's War by Khan, Hiba Noor

War comes to the streets of Paris and Safiyyah's life changes forever. Her best friend's family have fled, and the bombing makes her afraid to leave the mosque where she lives. But when her father is arrested by the Nazis for his secret Resistance work, it falls to Safiyyah to run the dangerous errands around the city. It's not long before hundreds of persecuted Jews seek sanctuary at the mosque. Can Safiyyah find the courage to enter the treacherous catacombs under Paris and lead the Jews to safety?

Island of Whispers by Hardinge, Frances

When his father suddenly dies, Milo must take over the Ferryman's role and guide his father's spirit on the dangerous journey to the Island of the Broken Tower.

Exit Nowhere by Brandt, Juliana

When Barret Eloise and her group project partners are locked in the haunted Raithfield Manor, the house transforms into a series of childhood games they must win in order to escape.

Golemcrafters by Cohen, Emi Watanabe

Emi Watanabe Cohen’s sophomore novel travels from the most awkward surface tensions to the beautiful depths of Jewish culture and lore for a tale of magical and emotional discovery.

Bea and the New Deal Horse by Elliott, L. M.

Abandoned by her father after Black Tuesday, thirteen-year-old Bea convinces Mrs. Scott to take in her and her sister in exchange for farm work and Bea bonds with a seemingly untrainable horse.

Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Lowe, Mari

As tensions escalate in the Jewish community of Beacon with incidents of vandalism and a swastika carved near the synagogue, so escalate the tension between Aviva and Kayla and the girls at their school, and so do the actions of the dybbuk grow worse. Could real harm be coming Aviva's way? And is it somehow related to the "accident" that took her father years ago?

The Puffin Keeper by Morpurgo, Michael

As a child, Allen is saved from a nautical disaster by Benjamin Postlethwaite, a solitary lighthouse keeper. Years later, Allen returns to the lighthouse, and the two nurse an injured young puffin back to health. When Allen is called up to fight in World War II, his fond memories of his time at the lighthouse keep him going, even through prison camp.

Not Quite a Ghost by Ursu, Anne

From the award-winning author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy comes an unforgettable and deeply personal story of the ghosts that surround us—and the ones we carry inside.

Max in the House of Spies by Gidwitz, Adam

To find his way back home to his family in Germany during WWII, Max Bretzfeld, with a kobold named Berg on one shoulder and a dybbuk named Stein on the other, sets out to become a British spy.

The Night War by Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker

During World War II, twelve-year-old Miriam secretly spirits other Jewish people out of Nazi-occupied France after being separated from her family and forced into hiding.

Library Girl by Horvath, Polly

Eleven-year-old Essie, who was abandoned as a baby and lovingly raised by four librarians, meets a mysterious boy whom she believes is her twin brother, but as she gets to know him better, she discovers nothing is as simple as it seems.

Heroes by a Hair by Pumphrey, Jarrett.

Brothers Lincoln and Hudson Dupré go on imaginary adventures that often wreak havoc in the real world and conspire to undermine their newest babysitter. Story told in a blended format of prose and graphic novel-style illustrations.

The Inquisitor's Tale, or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Gidwitz, Adam

Crossing paths at an inn, thirteenth-century travelers impart the tales of a monastery oblate, a Jewish refugee, and a psychic peasant girl with a loyal greyhound, the three of whom join forces on a chase through France to escape persecution

Dogtown by Applegate, Katherine

In Dogtown, a shelter for unwanted canine and robot dogs, an extraordinary bond develops between Chance, a longing three-legged dog, Metal Head, an empathetic robot, and Mouse, their friendly ally, as they strive to find forever homes.

Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel by Howe, James

Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire. Presented in comic book format

City Under the City by Yaccarino, Dan

From acclaimed author-illustrator Dan Yaccarino comes an exhilarating adventure—set in a richly imagined alternate future—celebrating autonomy, community, and the power of reading, perfect for fans of The Rock from the Sky.

Pizza and Taco (series) by Shaskan, Stephen

Follow best friends Pizza and Taco along their many adventures!

Things in the Basement by Hatke, Ben

From New York Times bestselling author Ben Hatke comes Things in the Basement, a young readers graphic novel about Milo, a young boy who discovers a portal to a secret world in his basement.

Anzu and the Realm of Darkness by Nguyen, Mai K.

Accidentally transported to the Shinto underworld called Yomi, Anzu discovers the queen of this realm has been kidnapping the spirits of lost children for decades. Anzu is torn between escaping or staying to help the trapped spirits as she fights her way back home.

Detective Sweet Pea: The Case of the Golden Bone by Varon, Sara

When the town of Parkville's most famous attraction, the one-of-a-kind Golden Chew Bone, goes missing, Sweet Pea, who has got a spectacular sense of smell, steps ups and volunteers to dig up the clues to crack the case

Break by Miller, Kayla

Kayla Miller, the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of Click, Camp, Act, Clash, and Crunch and co-author of Besties, returns with a new Olive story! Olive is less-than-excited to be spending spring break stuck with her dad. Will she be able to make the most of her trip, or will everything break apart?

Katie the Catsitter by Venable, Colleen A. F.

Twelve-year-old Katie is dreading the boring summer ahead until she realizes the mysterious neighbor who hired her to catsit is one of the city's greatest supervillains.

 Meet Me on Mercer Street by Vivat, Booki

Aspiring artist Kacie spends most of her time on Mercer Street with her best friend Nisha, but one day Nisha and her family are gone, and Kacie struggles to understand the changes happening to her street and neighborhood, and what they mean for her life.

Curveball by Cartaya, Pablo

Elena Rueda loves baseball—and is the best player on her team—but recently has stopped having fun. During a summer spent with her brother's quirky friends, she reflects on who she is and maybe learns to love to play again.

Fae and the Moon by Aureliani, Franco

Fae, in mourning for her missing mother, sits night after night below the moon that her mother so loved. Then one night she discovers she can pluck the moon out of the star-filled sky! Back safe in her house, she holds it close, feeling comfort at last. But Fae loses the moon, and finds that taking it has awakened ancient monsters—rats, dragons, and more, who hunt it for themselves. Will Fae be able to reclaim the moon, find her own inner strength, and save the world from eternal darkness?

Frizzy by Ortega, Claribel A.

Tired of going to the salon to have her curls straightened every weekend, Marlene slowly learns to embrace her natural curly hair with the help of her best friend and favorite aunt.

The Fifth Quarter by Dawson, Mike

Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being relegated to an extra period before the real game starts—known as the fifth quarter, where the not-so-good kids play and the points don't count. That doesn't matter to Lori, though, because working on her skills gives her hints of self-confidence, which is a nice break from feeling awkward and out-of-place in her daily life.

Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic by Mandanna, Sangu

Getting an unexpected second chance to attend one of the Seven Schools of Magic, twelve-year-old Jupiter begins to doubt her skills until an age-old enemy returns to exact revenge on the schools, leading her to finally find the courage and magic that's been within her all along.