New PJ Our Way books that will get your kids excited about reading this year!
Start the new year off right with these great books!
The new year is a great time to think about goals and dreams for the coming year. For parents, that means thinking about books that will really engage their kids. Here are some upcoming titles that have the PJ Our Way Book Selection Committee very excited.
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster By Jonathan Auxier
Available October 2019
This multiple award-winning book, including the 2019 Sydney Taylor Book Award, grabs kids on a suspenseful adventure with a message. Nan is a chimney sweep in Victorian London. After her guardian mysteriously disappears, she must learn to fend for herself in this terrifying and dangerous job. Miraculously, Charlie the Golem appears and their friendship and attempts to survive will have kids connecting deeply to this book’s characters while all the while sitting at the edge of their seats. Great for older kids.
“I loved this book because it kept me intrigued because it was suspenseful, and I love history.” Angelina, age 11
The Golden Dreidel by Ellen Kushner
Available November 2019
Sara assumes she’s in for another typical family Hanukkah dinner when the mysterious, mythical, and legendary Aunt Miriam shows up to the party! Kids will love this creative and enchanting Hanukkah adventure, with all new illustrations exclusive to the PJ Our Way edition. Appropriate for younger kids.
“I liked it because it was magical.” Ben, age 9
A Dreidel in Time by Marcia Berneger
Available November 2019
Just in time for Hanukkah is this story about a brother and sister who find themselves in the time of…the Maccabees! All seems to go according to the famous story, only the Maccabees are about to lose the battle for survival, and only Jonathan and Julie seem to know what the battle plan should be! Great for younger kids.
“Kids who like time travel will like this book.” Riley, age 9
Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Lynn Scheerger
Available December 2019
Ms. Graham is in trouble with the Board of Education, and her students realize they better act in order to bring her back to their classroom. Told from the perspective of 8 students, including one in graphic novel form, this book highlights the Jewish principle of taking action and working together. This popular book is appropriate for younger and older kids.
Walk till you Disappear by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Available December 2019
Did you know there were Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition and continued to live as secret Jews in the United States? In this recipient of a PJ Our Way Author Incentive Award, kids will meet Miguel, who lives in the Arizona territory, and who is about to find out a secret so great it will cause him to run away from home. It is not until he understands more about Navajo suffering and befriends a Navajo boy that he is able to accept his own family’s history. Great for age 10+.
“I liked this book because there was a lot of adventure mixed in with Jewish values.” Daniel, age 10
Too Far from Home by Naomi Shmuel
Available January 2020
This title translated from the Hebrew tells the story of Meskerem, the child of Ethiopian-Israeli and American parents. Meskerem is devastated when she learns her family will be moving from their small community in northern Israel to a larger town near Tel Aviv. While she can’t imagine making new friends and being so far from her beloved grandmother, nothing prepares her for the racism and prejudice she faces in her new school. With great courage she rises to the challenge and confronts her classmates directly in order to develop mutual understanding and respect. Appropriate for younger kids and older.
“I liked it because it’s about people moving around Israel. And I figured out that Israel is big. I related to Meskerm because I moved too, and I knew how she felt.” Talyah, age 9
The Secret of Carlos Romanus by Esther Kosofsky
Available January 2020
This is a great book for all kids who love adventure, especially an adventure set in an exciting historical period. Moshe is a Dutch Jew who at age 12 finds himself having to take responsibility for his family’s welfare. After being shipwrecked, he discovers he has washed up on the shores of Spain where the Inquisition is forcing Jews to convert to Christianity. Using his faith and a lot of ingenuity, he finds a way to stay true to his Judaism and his family. This is a great pick for younger kids and is also appropriate for kids from observant homes.
“I liked this book a lot because it was about secrecy. It was about Judaism and doing Judaism even though it was against the laws.” Calder, age 9
Catriella Freedman, Director, PJ Our Way
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