Your PJ Our Way Books for August

Check out the four great PJ Our Way picks for August! This month, we’re proud to offer an interesting epistolary novel, a fun installment from the Amelia series, an epic adventure in medieval France, and a story about a kid who’s just trying to figure things out. From historical to contemporary, illustrated to illuminated, any of these books would be an excellent next selection. Choose your book by the 10^th!

Letters from Cuba
 by Ruth Behar

Ages 10+

233 pages

Esther’s father has been in Cuba for the past three years, trying and failing to earn enough money to bring the family out of Poland on the eve of the Holocaust. When he is finally able to earn enough money for one ticket, feisty Esther travels across the world to join him. She meets many kind angels along the way and develops close friendships during her journey and later in Cuba. Her friendly approach is reciprocated; her new friends introduce her to various new cultures, and she shares her own. All the while, Esther writes, diary style, to her beloved sister Malka about her experiences. While helping her father peddle various wares, Esther stumbles upon a way that she can help reunite her family. This is a beautiful and inspiring story of immigration, friendship, and community.

Amelia’s Middle School Graduation Yearbook
by Marissa Moss

Ages: 10+

80 pages

Amelia’s finishing up eighth grade and is very apprehensive about entering high school. She can’t wait until the summer so she can hang out at the pool with her best friend, Carly, and do absolutely nothing. But her long-absent father has invited Amelia and her sister to Chicago to study Hebrew and have a joint bat mitzvah, and she’s just found out that Carly is switching schools next year. Growing up is so complicated, but Amelia’s quirky illustrated journal is just the ticket to help her stop worrying so much about everything.

The Inquisitor’s Tale
by Adam Gidwitz

Ages: 10+

384 pages

In 13th century France, Jeanne sees the future in her visions, Jacob heals the sick with plants and a Hebrew prayer, and biracial monk William has superhuman strength. The children are on the run from King Louis IX, accompanied by their dog Gwenforte, who has come back from the dead. A group of travelers meet at an inn and chronologically narrate the children's miraculous story from diverse points of view. Kids (and parents!) will love this action-packed, award-winning, and hugely entertaining tale. The vocabulary level here is on the high end, but medieval history has never been this relevant and exciting! The Inquisitor’s Tale was a New York Times bestseller and won a 2017 Newbery Honor Award.

Fish Out of Water
By Joanne Levy

Ages: 9+

62 pages

Twelve-year-old Fishel “Fish” Rosner hates sports. When his mother signs him up for water polo at the JCC, he goes to the senior Zumba class instead. When his best friend Seth invites him to collect used hockey equipment to donate for his bar mitzvah project, Fish dreams of knitting to help others. His family and friends don’t really understand him, but eventually it all works out for the best in this heartwarming, short and sweet Hi-Lo (higher interest material, lower reading level) selection.

Note: Quantities of each title are limited! If you see another book offered for selection this month, head over to Story Central to check it out.