The Book of Life

To celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month this May, I posted a Jewish kidlit recommendation set in an American location each day on Facebook . Here are all of the recommendations with links to podcasts or reviews, for your #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth reading pleasure. FYI, May is also Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Month - see my intersectional reading list of Jewish/Asian kidlit ! May 1, 2022 VERMONT Wayward Creatures by Dayna Lorentz is a middle grade contemporary novel told in two voices: a troubled Jewish boy and a wayward coyote. May 2, 2022 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros is a queer Jewish historical fantasy young adult thriller.  May 3, 2022 ARIZONA The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat by Barbara Bietz is a historical picture book about a Jewish family creating community in their new home out west.  May 4, 2022 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman is a contemporary middle grade novel about Black

The month of May is "heritage month" for a number of cultures in the United States. Uppermost in my mind, of course, is Jewish American Heritage Month , established in 2006. Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Month is also celebrated in May, as is Haitian Heritage Month .   While I can't think of any children's books that include both Jewish and Haitian content, I am aware of a number of titles that include Jewish and Asian characters, and in some cases, characters who have a combined Jewish/Asian identity. Here, then, is my two-for-one booklist, celebrating both Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Month, at the same time.  Please note that I have not read all of these books myself, so cannot vouch for their quality. On the other hand, some of these are books or authors I've podcasted about, and if so I'll provide a link. If you have any feedback about these titles, or any others to suggest,

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     |    READ THE TRANSCRIPT     |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮     Wayward Creatures by Dayna Lorentz is a heartfelt animal friendship story for middle grade readers, told from the points of view of both a troubled young Jewish boy and the wayward coyote he befriends after a forest fire changes both of their lives. A local restorative justice program helps Gabe learn the value of community and tikkun olam. This book takes place in the United States of America in the state of Vermont. During Jewish American Heritage Month in May, I'll be posting a Jewish American kidlit title every day on Facebook . Follow along to see my recommendations, and share your own favorites! LEARN MORE:  Buy Wayward Creatures Author Dayna Lorentz's website Burlington VT Community Justice Center (they provided guidance about restorative justice)  The Killington VT forest fire that burned underground How to handle living near coyotes and opossums Video of a coyote and badger hunti