When I contacted my local Jewish Journal about the post-convention press release, they accepted it and asked for a list of summer reading books to go along with the article. I sent them 10 titles for kids of various ages. If you would like to copy my list, go ahead, or use it as a basis to generate your own list. If you want to suggest adult books, you're on your own! I only have time to read kids' books these days! Anyway, I think Jewish newspapers love reading lists. After they saw this list, they asked if I'd do one in the fall for the High Holidays too! A good way to keep AJL and your library in the news...
Here's what I sent to the Jewish Journal here in South Florida: Summertime, and the reading is easy... A good summer reading book is a book that is absorbing, enjoyable, and easy to read. During the school year we focus on history, world problems, the many well-written Holocaust books out there, but in the summer we like to take a break and read something more pleasurable and light. Here are some examples of great new Jewish kids' books, and one oldie but goodie: The Hebrew Kid and the Apache Maiden by Robert J. Avrech In this adventure-filled novel of the Old West Bar Mitzvah boy Ariel finds he has much in common with Lozen, the sister of a great Apache warrior chieftain. (Grades 6-10) I Only Like What I Like by Julie Baer Dewey Jackson Braintree-Berg, a young boy who happens to be Jewish, likes familiar foods, people, and places but soon learns that trying new things adds joy to life. Intricate collage illustrations make this a book to pore over. Watch for the sequel, Love Me Later, available later this summer. (Preschool-Grade 1) Bobbie Rosenfeld: the Olympian Who Could Do Everything by Anne Dublin Bobbie was a Canadian Jewish woman who was good at every sport she tried, and who successfully competed at the 1928 Olympics. This biography reveals the fascinating history of women in sports through interesting photos and funny anecdotes. (Grades 3-7) Hayyim's Ghost by Eric A. Kimmel This screwball ghost story is a retelling of the Yiddish story "The Tale of the Stingy Woman." Darkly dramatic illustrations add interest to the humorous tale. (Grades 3-5) Confessions of a Closet Catholic by Sarah Darer Littman In this absorbing novel, Justine Silver gets mixed messages from her family about how Jewishly observant she should be, so she decides to try being Catholic like her best friend Mary Catherine. But when her Bubbe has a stroke, she worries that it just might be her fault. (Grades 4-6) Ruth and Naomi by Jean Marzollo Marzollo playfully retells the rags to riches story of the biblical Book of Ruth in this whimsically illustrated picture book. (Preschool-Grade 3) Shlemiel Crooks by Anna Olswanger A hilarious Yiddish voice narrates the story of two bumbling theives who try to steal a shipment of Passover wine, based on a true incident reported in the St. Louis Jewish Record in 1919. (Grades 2-5) The Rose Queen by M.E. Rabb The first in a four-book mystery series, this is the story of Jewish sisters Sam and Sophie, who run away from New York to rural Venice, Indiana to escape their mean stepmother. They enter the missing persons detection business while trying to stay missing themselves in this lighthearded tale. (Grades 6-10) Sholom's Treasure by Erica Silverman This enchanting picture book biography reveals how Sholom Aleichem's childhood formed him into the person who would write Fiddler on the Roof. Hilariously expressive cartoon style illustrations add to the enjoyment. (Grades 1-4) All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor This old favorite is the classic American Jewish children's book! The adventures of five sisters growing up on the Lower East Side in the early twentieth century have remained popular with readers since first published in 1951. (Grades 3-5) ---Heidi Estrin Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
