Your PJ Our Way Books for March
Check out the awesome PJ Our Way selections for March 2021! We're pleased to present an exclusive PJ Our Way edition of a special how-to guide, a historical fiction exploration of one girl's passion for woodworking, a friendship story about two Israeli American girls living in New York City, and a fascinating biography of famous conductor Leonard Bernstein. Any of these books is sure to be your next great read – be sure to choose one by the 10th!
How to Be a Mensch
by Catherine Newman
Ages 9+
144 pages
This how-to manual is a version of Catherine Newman’s book How to Be a Person, with Jewish content specially created for a unique PJ Our Way edition. Chapters cover life skills like how to care for people, pets, and plants; how to cook for Shabbat; how to clean your clothes; and how to manage money. Cartoon-style illustrations add to the accessible, kid-friendly style.
The Woodcarver’s Daughter by Yona Zeldis McDonough
Ages: 9+
110 pages
It’s 1915, and 12-year-old Batya lives with her family in a small village in Russia. Batya wants nothing more than to be a woodworker like her beloved father, but girls aren’t allowed to join the Woodworker’s Guild. After the woodshop is burned down in a pogrom, Papa decides it’s time to move to America. The move isn’t easy; little Sarah fell ill on the journey and lost her hearing, Batya doesn't like school, and Papa and Mama are struggling to make ends meet. When Batya skips school one day, she discovers the carousel on Coney Island, as well as the shop where the horses are carved. One day Batya discovers the carousel on Coney Island, as well as the shop where the wooden horses are made. Can Batya convince the workers and her father to let her follow her dream?
Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein
by Susan Goldman Rubin
Ages: 10+
110 pages
This is the inspirational story of young Leonard Bernstein, who was devoted to music from early childhood and clung to his dreams despite his father’s opposition. The book details his life growing up near Boston and leads to his triumphant debut conducting the New York Philharmonic at just 25 years old. The book is entertaining and very well researched; it includes many photos, quotes, and anecdotes. Music Was It won the Sydney Taylor Book Award and was a National Jewish Book Award finalist. It was also finalist for the YALSA Awards for Excellence in Nonfiction for young adults.
The Importance of Wings By Robin Friedman
Ages: 9+
166 pages
What do Israeli-born Roxanne and her sister Gayle want more than anything else? To be American and fit in. Roxanne worries about having the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, and being picked last in gym. With their mother back in Israel caring for their sick aunt and their father working late every night driving a taxi in the city, Roxanne and Gayle spend most of their time watching reruns of old TV shows about perfect all-American families. That's until a new girl moves into the “cursed” pink house next door. Beautiful, cool, athletic Liat is also Jewish and Israeli, and over the course of their friendship, she teaches Roxanne the importance of being true to herself. Kids will relate to this frank portrayal of typical teenage angst set in an 80s retro-style background that’s rich in Israeli culture and pride.
What do you think of this month’s books? Comment below to let us know.