Your PJ Our Way Books for June 2025

Yosef Mendelevich: Leader of Soviet Jewry
By: Leah Sokol

Ages 9+

128 pages

This is the true story of Yosef Mendelevich, a man who risked his life to alert the world to the plight of Soviet Jews.

Mendelevich is one of the most famous refuseniks, or Russian Jews who were denied permission to emigrate to Israel and other countries. Although he grew up in a Communist family and an antisemitic community, Mendelevich devoted his life to Judaism. After a daring (but failed) attempt to hijack a plane, he survived years in a labor camp before finally making it to Israel, where he still lives.

The tension and suspense in this incredible true story will keep readers turning pages, and Mendelevich’s courage and perseverance will inspire them.

Wishtree
By: Katherine Applegate

Ages 9+

148 pages

When gentle Samar moves into the neighborhood, she befriends the tenants of Red, a northern red oak tree: an opossum family, a skunk family, and Red’s best friend, a crow named Bongo. But when someone carves a mean word on Red’s trunk, everything changes. Narrated by Red, otherwise known as Wishtree, this beautiful story of dreamers, friendship, and nature will charm readers young and old.

How I Became a Spy
By: Deborah Hopkinson

Ages 10+

272 pages

Bertie is a messenger in World War II London. During an air raid, he and his dog, Little Roo, stumble across a young woman who has been knocked unconscious, but when they return later to find her, she has disappeared, leaving behind only a notebook written in code. Is she a spy? Bertie and his friends, Jewish refugee David and American girl Eleanor, are determined to crack the code. Featuring real-life characters, Sherlock Holmes references, and material to help readers crack the code alongside the characters, this is a fun, engaging historical mystery.

Becoming Brianna
By: Terri Libenson

Ages 10+

352 pages

Brianna hates being in the spotlight, so it takes a lot of persuasion from her mom before she’ll agree to have a bat mitzvah. Brianna’s feelings of terror and resentment – but also, unexpectedly, excitement – are revealed in chapters that alternate between the months before the bat mitzvah and the big day itself. But it’s not all about the bat mitzvah: Brianna’s best friend Emmie has started spending a lot of time with Sarah, while the popular girl, Zoe, is suddenly oddly interested in hanging out with Brianna. Does this mean the end of Bri and Em’s friendship? This engaging and fast-paced graphic novel is part of the bestselling Emmie & Friends series.