Eight Great Hanukkah Books for Middle Grade Readers
We’ve got eight Hannukah books to get your middle-grade reader into the spirit of the holiday.
Hannukah starts the night of Sunday, December 18, 2022. In addition to eight nights of candlelighting, latkes, and dreidels, we've got eight Hannukah books to get your middle-grade reader into the spirit of the holiday.
A Dreidel in Time
by Marcia Berneger
Benjamin and Devorah want to hurry up and light the candles so they can open their presents! Will Bubbe give them a telescope? Or an art set? No, it's a … time-traveling dreidel?!! Hanukkah will be very different this year!
What a PJOW reader had to say about this book:
llllllllllllllooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeee it!
Dreidels on the Brain
by Joel Ben Izzy
This Hanukkah, Joel is anticipating the usual letdowns: boring presents, an annoying school holiday concert, and greasy latkes. But when the dreidel lands on a letter he never expected, he finds himself hoping for another Hanukkah miracle.
What a PJ Our Way reader had to say:
This book was super funny and crazy. This is boy is a masican with a rabbit and also has a dad that is a crazy inventor. I definitely reading this book again around December next year. 10/10
The Golden Dreidel
by Ellen Kushner
Sara's in big trouble for ruining the family Hanukkah party, but her troubles have only just begun. Can she find a way to defeat the Demon King and restore the Dreidel Princess to her throne?
PJ Our Way Reader Review:
I loved this mysterious book! I never knew when things would happen, for good... or for the worst! Check this amazing book out!
How I Saved Hanukkah
by Amy Goldman Koss
Marla may be Jewish, but she wants to make Christmas decorations just like everyone else in her fourth-grade class. Her family hardly even celebrates Hanukkah! What's so great about being Jewish, anyway?
What one PJ Our Way reader thought:
It really kept me entertained I read it 4 times and each time I loved it!
Like a Maccabee
by Barbara Bietz
The Eagles have made it to the league championships! But now they must play the Bulldogs, and their defender is Travis the Tank. Ben's praying for a Hanukkah miracle!
Here's what a PJ Our Way reader had to say about this book:
I noticed that in this book it mentions the struggles of a regular person and makes you feel that you are not alone. While I was reading the book, I was really curious to know more about Ben what his life was like. It also talk a lot about Hanukkah and the hanukkah story really well. This book also reassures me about being myself.
Penina Levine is a Potato Pancake
by Rebecca O'Connell
Penina Levine is not looking forward to Hanukkah break. Her annoying sister is driving her crazy, her favorite teacher is leaving, and her best friend is headed out of town. Could it possibly get worse?
PJ Our Way reader review:
This book was awesome. I read it in three days! Anyone who has a little sibling could totally relate to this book. The book was written so good I could feel the charters feelings! This book is the best!!!
Shield of the Maccabees
by Eric Kimmel and Dov Smiley
So what if Jonathan is Jewish and Jason is Greek — who says they can't be best friends?
Here’s what a PJ Our Way reader had to say:
I loved this book! I have a Greek friend and I could picture myself as Jonathan. This is a great book.
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
by Jonathan Auxier
Eleven-year-old Nan Sparrow is one of the best chimney boys in Victorian London, even though she's a girl. It's a dangerous job, and when Nan gets caught in a fire, she's sure the end has come. Enter the mysterious and magical Charlie: smoldering knight in sooty armor, guardian angel, golem.
From one PJ Our Way reader:
I loved this book and it made me appreciate the things I have ❤️
But wait! The fun doesn't stop there! We've got two bonus books about doughnuts, and both of them are currently available through the new PJ Our Way Audiobook Program. While the doughnuts in these books aren't exactly the same as the Israeli sufganiyot that many folks associate with Hanukkah, they're sweet and fried and that's good enough for us.
The Doughnut Fix
by Jessie Janowitz
According to twelve-year-old Tristan, New York is the greatest city in the world. So how could his parents make the family move to a weird purple house in Petersville, Nowhere? Could chocolate cream doughnuts be the answer to everything?
What a PJOW reader had to say about this one:
The Doughnut Fix is a really great book. I love the doughnut stand idea. Also, I thought it was hilarious that one night a raccoon got into their house.
The Doughnut King
by Jessie Janowitz
Tris's doughnut business is a huge success, but he can't keep up with demand. Meanwhile, the small town of Petersville is getting even smaller… and might even disappear entirely. Winning a reality cooking show may be Tris's only shot at saving his business and the town, but can he pull it off?
What one PJOW reader had to say about The Doughnut King:
Recommend for anyone, no matter what you like. It has competition, cliffhangers, and just makes you want to keep reading.