Jewish Book Month & Hanukkah 2023
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Jewish Book Month takes place during the 30 days leading up to
Hanukkah, which this year began on December 7, 2023. Because we are all
in dire need of some Jewish joy right now, I posted on social media about
books that brings me #JewishJoy each day from November 7 all the way to
the end of Hanukkah on December 15. Here are all the titles I included. Each title is linked to a past interview, book review, or other information about the book.
November 7, 2023
A HAT FOR MRS GOLDMAN by Michelle Edwards, a literally warm and fuzzy picture book about little Sophia who learns to knit from her beloved Jewish neighbor.
November 8, 2023
THE JAKE SHOW by Joshua S. Levy, a hilarious middle grade novel about a boy with a duel Jewish identity and his determination to attend summer camp in secret.
THE JAKE SHOW by Joshua S. Levy, a hilarious middle grade novel about a boy with a duel Jewish identity and his determination to attend summer camp in secret.
November 9, 2023
WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY by Sacha Lamb, a delightful Jewish YA twist on Good Omens.
WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY by Sacha Lamb, a delightful Jewish YA twist on Good Omens.
November 10, 2023
THIS IS MY SHABBAT by Chris Barash, a lovely relaxing picture book that follows the sensory delights of a blind boy celebrating Shabbat with family.
THIS IS MY SHABBAT by Chris Barash, a lovely relaxing picture book that follows the sensory delights of a blind boy celebrating Shabbat with family.
November 11, 2023
THE UNFINISHED CORNER by Dani Colman, a middle grade graphic novel that offers a wild ride through Jewish legend with a diverse gang of contemporary Jewish kids.
THE UNFINISHED CORNER by Dani Colman, a middle grade graphic novel that offers a wild ride through Jewish legend with a diverse gang of contemporary Jewish kids.
November 12, 2023
SEE YOU YESTERDAY by Rachel Lynn Solomon, a clever YA romcom with Jewish college kids caught in a Groundhog Day style time loop.
SEE YOU YESTERDAY by Rachel Lynn Solomon, a clever YA romcom with Jewish college kids caught in a Groundhog Day style time loop.
November 13, 2023
OSNAT AND HER DOVE by Sigal Samuel, a gorgeous and mystical picture book about the first female rabbi, a Mizrahi woman who lived 500 years ago in Kurdistan.
OSNAT AND HER DOVE by Sigal Samuel, a gorgeous and mystical picture book about the first female rabbi, a Mizrahi woman who lived 500 years ago in Kurdistan.
November 14, 2023
THE BOOK OF SECRETS by Mat Tonti, a clever middle grade graphic novel adventure that romps through Jewish folklore.
THE BOOK OF SECRETS by Mat Tonti, a clever middle grade graphic novel adventure that romps through Jewish folklore.
November 15, 2023
WIDE AWAKE by David Levithan, an inspiring YA novel about the power of social movements, still relevant after 2 decades.
WIDE AWAKE by David Levithan, an inspiring YA novel about the power of social movements, still relevant after 2 decades.
November 16, 2023
KIBITZERS AND FOOLS by Simms Taback, a one-of-a-kind picture book of Yiddish-inflected jokes and stories with unique collage illustrations.
KIBITZERS AND FOOLS by Simms Taback, a one-of-a-kind picture book of Yiddish-inflected jokes and stories with unique collage illustrations.
November 17, 2023
ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY by Sydney Taylor, the classic cozy middle grade novel about 5 Jewish sisters growing up on the Lower East Side.
ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY by Sydney Taylor, the classic cozy middle grade novel about 5 Jewish sisters growing up on the Lower East Side.
November 18, 2023
THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS by Laura Silverman, a YA rom-com whirl through a Jewish teen's summer job at the Bonanza entertainment complex.
THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS by Laura Silverman, a YA rom-com whirl through a Jewish teen's summer job at the Bonanza entertainment complex.
November 19, 2023
TWO NEW YEARS by Richard Ho, a lush picture book about a Chinese Jewish family that celebrates both Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year.
TWO NEW YEARS by Richard Ho, a lush picture book about a Chinese Jewish family that celebrates both Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year.
November 20, 2023
THE MIRACLE SEED by Martin Lemelman, a fascinating middle grade graphic novel telling the true story of Judean date palms brought back from extinction by Israeli scientists.
THE MIRACLE SEED by Martin Lemelman, a fascinating middle grade graphic novel telling the true story of Judean date palms brought back from extinction by Israeli scientists.
November 21, 2023
ZOE ROSENTHAL IS NOT LAWFUL GOOD by Nancy Werlin, a YA anti-rom-com about a girl who breaks up with her boyfriend but finds her people among nerdy fandom.
ZOE ROSENTHAL IS NOT LAWFUL GOOD by Nancy Werlin, a YA anti-rom-com about a girl who breaks up with her boyfriend but finds her people among nerdy fandom.
November 22, 2023
WELCOMING ELIJAH by Lesléa Newman, a stunning picture book about a boy and a kitten finding each other amidst the warmth and light of Passover.
WELCOMING ELIJAH by Lesléa Newman, a stunning picture book about a boy and a kitten finding each other amidst the warmth and light of Passover.
Bonus: An extra #JewishJoy pick today, because I had trouble choosing between 2 of my favorite Passover books: THE PASSOVER GUEST by Susan Kusel, a witty picture book that retells a magical folktale. It brings me joy because it was written by one of my best friends!
November 23, 2023
A SKY FULL OF SONG by Susan Lynn Meyer, a historical Jewish middle grade novel perfect for fans of Little House on the Prairie.
A SKY FULL OF SONG by Susan Lynn Meyer, a historical Jewish middle grade novel perfect for fans of Little House on the Prairie.
November 24, 2023
YES NO MAYBE SO by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed, a heart-warming YA rom-com about a Jewish boy and a Muslim girl falling in love while doing political canvassing.
YES NO MAYBE SO by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed, a heart-warming YA rom-com about a Jewish boy and a Muslim girl falling in love while doing political canvassing.
November 25, 2023
TIA FORTUNA'S NEW HOME by Ruth Behar, a soothing Sephardic picture book about aging with grace, and making yourself at home wherever you may be, illustrated in Florida pastels.
TIA FORTUNA'S NEW HOME by Ruth Behar, a soothing Sephardic picture book about aging with grace, and making yourself at home wherever you may be, illustrated in Florida pastels.
November 26, 2023
TWO TRIBES by Emily Bowen Cohen, a middle grade graphic novel about growing up Jewish and Muscogee, and connecting with all your heritages.
TWO TRIBES by Emily Bowen Cohen, a middle grade graphic novel about growing up Jewish and Muscogee, and connecting with all your heritages.
November 27, 2023
HOW TO EXCAVATE A HEART by Jake Maia Arlow, an adorable queer "Hallmark Holiday Romance" style YA novel about nerdy Jewish girls finding happiness together.
HOW TO EXCAVATE A HEART by Jake Maia Arlow, an adorable queer "Hallmark Holiday Romance" style YA novel about nerdy Jewish girls finding happiness together.
November 28, 2023
THE VERY BEST SUKKAH by Shoshana Nambi, a joyful debut picture book about the bonds of community, taking place among the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda.
THE VERY BEST SUKKAH by Shoshana Nambi, a joyful debut picture book about the bonds of community, taking place among the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda.
November 29, 2023
THE INQUISITOR'S TALE by Adam Gidwitz, an interfaith medieval fantasy that is both serious and hilarious.
THE INQUISITOR'S TALE by Adam Gidwitz, an interfaith medieval fantasy that is both serious and hilarious.
November 30, 2023
WHISTLE: A NEW GOTHAM CITY HERO by E. Lockhart, an exciting graphic novel about a Jewish superhero who fights crime with her dog.
WHISTLE: A NEW GOTHAM CITY HERO by E. Lockhart, an exciting graphic novel about a Jewish superhero who fights crime with her dog.
December 1, 2023
THE SUNDOWN KID by Barbara Bietz, a sun-soaked picture book about a Jewish boy making friends in his new Arizona home.
THE SUNDOWN KID by Barbara Bietz, a sun-soaked picture book about a Jewish boy making friends in his new Arizona home.
December 2, 2023
HEREVILLE by Barry Deutsch, a quirky series of magical middle grade graphic novels about a troll-fighting, sword-weilding 11 year old Orthodox Jewish girl.
HEREVILLE by Barry Deutsch, a quirky series of magical middle grade graphic novels about a troll-fighting, sword-weilding 11 year old Orthodox Jewish girl.
December 3, 2023
LESSONS IN FUSION by Primrose Madayag Knazan, a COVID-era YA novel about a Jewish Filipino girl who takes part in a TV cooking competition.
December 4, 2023
THE CHRISTMAS MITZVAH by Jeff Gottesfeld, a true picture book about a kindly Jewish man who volunteered to cover work for his Christian neighbors every December for decades.
December 5, 2023
FISH OUT OF WATER by Joanne Levy, a quick and clever middle grade novel about a boy who refuses to let gender roles keep him from the fun of learning to knit.
FISH OUT OF WATER by Joanne Levy, a quick and clever middle grade novel about a boy who refuses to let gender roles keep him from the fun of learning to knit.
December 6, 2023
BOYS OF THE BEAST by Monica Zepeda, a unique YA novel about interfaith cousins and how they bond during a wild road trip.
December 7, 2023
For the first night of Hanukkah 2023: ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY HANUKKAH by Emily Jenkins a warm and cozy picture book featuring characters from the classic middle grade series by Sydney Taylor.
For the first night of Hanukkah 2023: ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY HANUKKAH by Emily Jenkins a warm and cozy picture book featuring characters from the classic middle grade series by Sydney Taylor.
December 8, 2023
For the second night of Hanukkah 2023: HANUKKAH UPSIDE DOWN by Elissa Brent Weissman, a touching picture book about cousins sharing the holiday from across the globe.
For the second night of Hanukkah 2023: HANUKKAH UPSIDE DOWN by Elissa Brent Weissman, a touching picture book about cousins sharing the holiday from across the globe.
December 9, 2023
For the third night of Hanukkah 2023: THE NINTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH by Erica Perl, a picture book about community bonding and gratitude.
For the third night of Hanukkah 2023: THE NINTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH by Erica Perl, a picture book about community bonding and gratitude.
December 10, 2023
For the fourth night of Hanukkah 2023: MY HANUKKAH BOOK OF OPPOSITES by Tammar Stein, a deceptively simple board book featuring diverse children celebrating the holiday.
For the fourth night of Hanukkah 2023: MY HANUKKAH BOOK OF OPPOSITES by Tammar Stein, a deceptively simple board book featuring diverse children celebrating the holiday.
December 11, 2023
For the fifth night of Hanukkah 2023: LIGHT THE MENORAH by Jacqueline Jules, a handbook that offers meditations for candle lighting.
For the fifth night of Hanukkah 2023: LIGHT THE MENORAH by Jacqueline Jules, a handbook that offers meditations for candle lighting.
December 12, 2023
For the sixth night of Hanukkah 2023: EIGHT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS by Leslie Kimmelman, a set of 9 mini-books in a menorah-shaped holder, that feature a biracial Jewish girl's holiday fun.
For the sixth night of Hanukkah 2023: EIGHT NIGHTS OF LIGHTS by Leslie Kimmelman, a set of 9 mini-books in a menorah-shaped holder, that feature a biracial Jewish girl's holiday fun.
December 13, 2023
For the seventh night of Hanukkah 2023: THE LATKE WHO WOULDN'T STOP SCREAMING: A CHRISTMAS STORY by Lemony Snicket, a hilarious picture book in which a talking latke schools us in the difference between Christmas and Hanukkah
For the seventh night of Hanukkah 2023: THE LATKE WHO WOULDN'T STOP SCREAMING: A CHRISTMAS STORY by Lemony Snicket, a hilarious picture book in which a talking latke schools us in the difference between Christmas and Hanukkah
December 14, 2023
For the eighth night of Hanukkah 2023: HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS by Eric Kimmel, the classic picture book about outsmarting the scary goblins in order to celebrate Hanukkah.
For the eighth night of Hanukkah 2023: HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS by Eric Kimmel, the classic picture book about outsmarting the scary goblins in order to celebrate Hanukkah.
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