Your PJ Our Way Books for October
PJ Our Way is proud to offer four fascinating books this month. Your child can read along as Melanie struggles to choose between the popular crowd and a new Israeli friend, follow 11-year-old Yonatan as he works to get water to Jerusalem in Ancient Israel, stand up alongside Beni as he fights bullies while his brother is fights in the Yom Kippur war, and learn to throw a mean knuckleball with VJ Cohen.
Be sure to have your PJ Our Way subscriber choose their book by October 10th!
Things That Shimmer
By: Deborah Lakritz
Ages 10+
272 pages
In an engaging novel set in 1973, seventh grader Melanie Adler desperately wants to be one of the popular girls known as the Shimmers. Best friend Vicky is finding it easier to be accepted by them, so when Israeli-American Dorit Shoshani moves into town, Melanie is happy to have a new friend. The two bond over family troubles: both Melanie’s mom and Dorit’s dad live in constant fear, she from a traumatic car accident and he from his experience fighting in the Six-Day War. The girls’ close bond is tested when Melanie finds herself torn between popularity and her friend. Historical events such as Watergate and the Yom Kippur War are well-integrated into the story and its themes of trust, loyalty, fear, and forgiveness.
The Secret Tunnel
By: Joy Nelkin Wieder
Ages 9+
112 pages
The king of Ashur plans to lay siege to Jerusalem, intending to take the city by blocking off the Jews’ water supply. Eleven-year-old Yonatan’s father, one of the best quarrymen in the city, is drafted in to resist the king and Yonatan is desperate to help. The Jewish men hatch a plan to divert the fresh water via a new tunnel so that they and not their enemies will have access to it. The family’s preparations for Pesach coincide with the enemy army’s planned siege. The enemies are struck down by a plague before they can attack. A Tunnel Facts section explains the true story behind the book.
Beni's War
By: Tammar Stein
Ages 11+
274 pages
Twelve-year-old Beni’s family has moved from Jerusalem to a moshav in the north of Israel to make a fresh start after the death of Beni’s soldier brother, Gideon. Sensitive Beni finds it hard to stand up to the bullies at his new school, and his brother, Motti, is now a soldier, so he isn’t there to help. Then the Syrians attack, and the moshav is evacuated as war breaks out. Beni must find a way to forge new relationships with his classmates while he tries to make his own contribution to the war effort. Alongside Beni’s moving coming-of-age story, this gripping novel gives an insight into life in Israel during the Yom Kippur War. It is the sequel to the Sydney Taylor Honor Book The Six-Day Hero but can be read as a standalone novel.
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!
By: Sarah Kapit
Ages 9+
336 pages
Vivian Jane Cohen’s favorite baseball player is VJ Capello, and not just because they share the same initials. VJ is a knuckleballer, which is exactly what Vivy wants to be! But Vivy isn’t just a girl. She’s a girl with autism, and her mom is worried that she can’t handle the stress of playing on a Little League team.
When her social skills teacher makes her write a letter to someone, Vivy writes to VJ. When VJ writes back, he becomes a source of support and advice as Vivy navigates the challenges getting her mom to understand her, dealing with the team bully, and convincing her parents to let her play again after an accident on the field.
With the support of VJ, her new friend Alex, and her brother Nate, Vivy learns that there are many ways to be different: VJ is one of the few Black catchers in major league baseball, Alex is Mexican, and Nate comes out as gay to his family. As Vivy learns that she doesn’t have to face every challenge on her own, she realizes just how strong she truly is.
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.