Your PJ Our Way Books for July

Nothing Could Stop Her: The Courageous Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
by Rona Arato

Ages 9+

104 pages

This short, illustrated biography explores the first three decades of Ruth Gruber’s life, from her childhood as the daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants through the work she did on behalf of Holocaust refugees.

In the intervening years, Gruber focused on her education, entering high school at age 12, college at 15, and becoming the youngest person in the world to earn a doctorate (at the time). She was determined to become a writer, and after witnessing Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, Gruber researched and documented the experiences of women living under fascist and communist governments. Gruber was the first foreign correspondent to visit the Soviet Arctic as well as the Alaskan frontier.

In 1944, Gruber traveled with Holocaust refugees abord the USNS Henry Gibbons, and later lobbied for their rights while they were held in Oswego, NY.

Readers will be inspired by this story of a Jewish woman who shared the stories of people in need and fought for their rights at a time when women were expected to stay home and raise children.

Ben's Bonkers Bar Mitzvah
by Ivor Baddiel

Ages 9+

144 pages

Ben is preparing for his bar mitzvah with some trepidation. When he tells his family that the synagogue disappeared – likely stolen by aliens – they think it’s just Ben's anxiety getting the best of him. Luckily, Ben's grandfather believes him, and together they hatch a plan to save the bar mitzvah – and the world. This is a silly book with plenty of humor, but also more serious moments of kindness and courage.

Not Your All-American Girl
by Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang

Ages 10+

256 pages

Lauren’s a talented singer who dreams of being on Star Search. She does a great audition for the school musical, All-American Town, and everyone thinks she should get the lead. But the teacher says Chinese-Jewish Lauren doesn’t look “American” enough for the role and gives it to Lauren’s best friend, Tara, relegating Lauren to the ensemble. Tension grows between the friends, and Lauren finds it difficult to continue in the play, but she finds solace in the music of Patsy Cline plus a new button-making business. Eventually, the girls work together to make things right both on and off the stage.

Turtle Boy
by M. Evan Wolkenstein

Ages 11+

391 pages

Will Levine would rather hang out with his turtles than with most people — his facial difference left him with a problematic bite and receding chin, and the kids at school won’t let him forget it. As 7th grade starts, Will learns that he needs surgery to fix his chin, but he’s terrified of hospitals since his father died during a routine operation when Will was four years old. Will’s social anxiety has made it hard for him to stick with a tikkun olam project, which he has to complete for his bar mitzvah preparation. Rabbi Harris has Will visit RJ, an older boy who is hospitalized with an incurable disease. Will is not happy about this, but as RJ teaches Will how to play drums, the two become friends. RJ asks Will to complete the remaining items on his bucket list, including swimming in the ocean, getting drumsticks from his favorite drummer, and riding a roller coaster. In the midst of all this, Will struggles with his friendships, his relationship with mother, and his beloved turtles. But as Will tackles each item on RJ’s bucket list, he learns that life is too short to live in a shell.