My Completely Unofficial 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Award Shortlist

 

For the last two years I've done an unofficial shortlist of potential Sydney Taylor Book Award winners. These seem to be particularly popular posts, so I'm doing it again! As y'all know, I'm a former member and chair of the Association of Jewish Libraries' Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, and a cofounder of The Sydney Taylor Shmooze mock award blog, so I have a deep and abiding interest in seeking out the best Jewish kidlit of the year. I'm not actually making predictions about what will win; rather, I'm telling you that these are books that I think deserve your attention (with the caveat that while I probably read the majority of Jewish children's or YA books published in 2023, I did not read ALL of them, so there may be other titles I'd consider worthy if I'd had the chance to read them). I've listed the titles within their age categories alphabetically by author's last name. Note that some of the books were published in the UK by Green Bean Books in 2023 but don't come out in the US until 2024; however, since I read them in 2023 I'm telling you about them now - I don't want to have to wait a year to talk about them.

We'll find out whether the Real Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee agrees with my choices when the winners are announced on January 22, 2024 at 8am ET, at the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards event! Also, watch this space - after the announcement, I'll have a podcast interview with current Sydney Taylor Book Awards Chair Aviva Rosenberg.

 

 

PICTURE BOOKS

 

This Is My Shabbat by Chris Barash, illustrated by Aviel Basil, Green Bean Books, 2023 in the UK, US publishing date 2024

I find this book very relaxing. Printed in text and Braille, it features a blind boy and his family enjoying a peaceful Shabbat, attending services, picnicking on the beach, taking naps. The sensory language,  soothing repetition, and sunny illustrations are a winning combination. This title was included on AJL's Fall 2023 Holiday Highlights list.

 

Barefoot in the Sand by Hava Divon, illustrated by Rotem Teplow, Green Bean Books, 2023

Saul from Romania and Solomon from Yemen meet in the desert of pre-state Israel, after achieving their lifelong dreams to feel the sand of the Holy Land under their feet. Although they have different clothing, languages, and even skin tones, they recognize each other as brothers when they recite the Hallel prayer together in the joy of their arrival. A quiet and lovely book. The Promise by Fawzia Gilani-Williams and Bridget Hodder (Kar-Ben, 2023), is another quietly lovely book about friendship. Jewish Jacob and Muslim Hassan are best friends and enjoy tending Jacob's garden together. When Jacob's family flees Morocco for Israel to escape antisemitic violence, Hassan continues to tend the garden as a promise of friendship. Prayers are answered at last when Jacob, now a grandfather, returns to a joyful reunion, finding Hassan still lovingly taking care of the garden.

 

Just One More Thing... and Then Bedtime written and illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt, translated by Romy Ronen, Green Bean Books, 2023 in the UK, US publishing date 2024

With a vibe reminiscent of the cartoon Bluey, a simple bedtime turns into a philosophical flight of fancy. Dad tries to put Naomi and the baby to bed, while patiently responding to his daughter's many gratitudes: that we only have two legs so we don't have to find three socks, that Shabbat comes every seven days so we don't get exhausted, and so on. Cleverly humorous illustrations show the kids perking up as the dad succumbs to sleep, where they finally join him for a cuddle. Dad's tshirt is emblazoned with a hamsa and the word "MAZAL" - luck, subtly reinforcing the theme of everyday miracles. Translated from Hebrew, the frontispiece retains a Hebrew and English prayer thanking God for making things just as they are, a perfect fit for this uniquely charming story.

 

Two New Years by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynne Scurfield, Chronicle Books, 2023

A Chinese Jewish family celebrates both Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year, showing us the parallels between the two festive occasions. Authentically representing the experiences of author Richard Ho, it's also gorgeously illustrated by Canadian Chinese/white illustrator Lynn Scurfield, whose step-family is Jewish. I had fun talking to Richard and Lynne on The Book of Life Podcast in September 2023. Surprisingly, this is not the only Chinese Jewish book published this year! Also check out Zhen Yu and the Snake by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Renia Metallinou (Kar-Ben, 2023), a Talmudic tale reimagined in an old Kaifeng setting. One more title related to the High Holidays that I want to mention is Big Bad Wolf's Yom Kippur by David Sherrin, illustrated by Martin Morón (Apples & Honey, 2023), in which the traditional villain notices that doing good feels good. Two New Years and Big Bad Wolf's Yom Kippur were both included on AJL's Fall 2023 Holiday Highlights list.

Moses and the Runaway Lamb by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Eleanor Rees Howell, Kar-Ben, 2023 

 

In this midrash, shepherd Moses shows his care and diligence when he tracks down an errant lamb, proving to God that he'll make a great leader for the Jewish community. It's interesting to delve into Moses' backstory in this quiet tale. The light, flowy illustrations give a sense of the desert's space, while the brown-skinned, curly-haired Moses is probably more historically accurate than the more usual depictions.

Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Irina Augustinovich, Apples & Honey, 2023

Brave Eve and sensitive Adam navigate their first day in the Garden of Eden, getting to know each other and coming up with names for everything they see. Alarmed at first by the nightfall, they notice bright stars and fireflies and remember to have faith that God is with them. The duo are depicted with olive skin and wavy black hair that could be interpreted as a variety of races; as is common in illustrations of Adam and Eve, strategically placed hair, plants, and other objects cover their nakedness. I like the egalitarian vibe of partnership between the pair, as imagined by Kimmelman, and the brightly colored illustrations do convey a sense of paradise. Another biblical book of note this year is Dream Big, Laugh Often, and More Great Advice from the Bible by Hanoch Piven and Shira Hecht-Koller, illustrated by Hanoch Piven (Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2023). Uniquely, it boils down each story to a kernel of role modeling, but the real star is the striking art. Piven uses his signature style to create eye-catching collages out of a variety of found objects.

 

Sheep Says Shalom by Ann Koffksy, Green Bean Books, 2023

 

In this clever accordian-fold board book, deceptively simple text introduces the three meanings of the Hebrew word "shalom" - hello, goodbye, and peace. As a preschool librarian working with babies through five-year-olds, I am overjoyed with this book, which will work even with the youngest listeners! To my delight, 2023 was a strong year for board books. Two other favorites are Mazal Bueno by Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Taia Morley (Kar-Ben, 2023), a Ladino celebration of a baby's milestones (listen to my December 2022 interview with Sarah Aroeste), and Challah! by Varda Livney (PJ Publishing, 2023), in which a pastel baby bunny humorously mistakes all sorts of puffy objects for the braided sabbath bread. 

 

Bob Marshall: Defender of the Wilderness by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Jeanne Bowman, South Dakota Historical Society Press, 2023

With gorgeous color-saturated illustrations of nature, and action-filled portraits of Bob and others, this picture book biography details the unfortunately short life of the founder of The Wilderness Society. The focus is on Bob's advocacy for the protection of wild places, but his Jewish heritage and values are integrated as an important element of what made him tick. It's a loving homage but also a fun read. Linda Elovitz Marshall is having a strong year for picture book biographies, as she also wrote Brave Volodymyr: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine, illustrated by Grasya Oliyko (Quill Tree Books, 2023), a moving depiction of the Jewish comedian and actor who became the president of Ukraine, living his values by defending his beloved country. 

Daddy Can You Make Me Tall? by Rona Novick, illustrated by Ana Sebastián, Apples & Honey, 2023

 

As a biracial Jewish family prepares for Shabbat, the little boy keeps asking for help and his parents offer to scaffold activities rather than do things for him. Psychologist author Novick uses her characters to model positive parenting and demonstrate a growth mindset, while also conveying the beauty of Shabbat and showing how children can be included in the preparations. The illustrations are appropriately gentle and cozy.

Listen, Sh'ma by Rabbi Alyson Solomon, illustrated by Bryony Clarkson, Apples & Honey, 2023

"Sh'ma" means "listen" and by slowing down the first word of this important prayer, we can hear that its component sounds are a message. "Shhh" invites us to quiet down, "Mmmm" invites us to appreciate, and "Ahhh"invites us to rejoice. This beautiful concept is illustrated with diverse Jewish children getting ready for a cozy bedtime with their adults, an appropriate time for voicing the traditional sh'ma prayer. An endnote delineates the prayer and explains the need for it. The illustrations demonstrate racial and physical diversity, including a hairless child in a wheelchair. Note that another rabbi came out with a prayer picture book this year, but it's presented in a neutral manner that can work in both Jewish and Christian settings: I Am Not Afraid: Psalm 23 for Bedtime by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illustrated by Marta Dorado (Beaming Books, 2023). The language is modernized and the illustrations are lush; an endnote provides context.

 

Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Selina Alko, Carolrhoda, 2023

 

Lyrical, heartbreaking text uses children's point of view to narrate the journey from peace to danger to safety. We see parents making the impossible decision to send their children to England, the frightening journey, and the sad aftermath of the war, all tied together by the mystery of the man who made the rescue possible. At the end of the story, we learn (as the now-grown children belatedly learn) that their rescuer was Nicholas Winton, also the hero of Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued by Peter Sís (Norton Young Readers, 2021), a Sydney Taylor Honor Book. Between these two nonfiction books, it's interesting that one centers the rescuer's bravery and the other centers' the children's bravery.

The Rabbi and His Donkey by Susan Tarcov, illustrated by Diana Renjina, Kar-Ben, 2023

Hamor the donkey is happy to carry Rabbi Moses Maimonides to his daily visits with the Sultan, and to hear the wise man's musings. When a faster horse replaces Hamor, both donkey and rabbi miss their contemplative times together, until they are reunited. This is a sweet story of the importance of "me time" and love for animals, beautifully illustrated with glowing golds and jewel tones, and inspired by the life of the real Maimonides, a medieval Sephardic philosopher from Spain who was frequently consulted by the Sultan of Cairo.

Rivka's Presents by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Adelina Lirius, Random House Studio, 2023

 

Rivka's father catches flu during the 1918 epidemic and she can't start school because she must watch her baby sister while mama goes to work at the shirtwaist factory. Eager to learn, the enterprising girl trades chores with local vendors for lessons in reading, writing, arithmetic, and history. Rivka's presents are her learning, the small gifts her "teachers" give her in congratulation, and her papa's recovery. I like that this book doesn't just show us importance of Jewish community on the Lower East Side, it also highlights the important place of education within the culture.

Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann, Abrams, 2023

Cousins Noah in New York and Nora in New Zealand have a friendly competition to prove that Hanukkah is best in their hemisphere of the globe. I love the clever and humorous illustrations, and the poetic comparisons between the cousins' experiences. It was great to interview Elissa on The Book of Life Podcast in December 2023. One more Hanukkah book that impressed me this year was Eight Nights of Lights by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Hilli Kushnir (Harper, 2023), which is the Jewish answer to the traditional Christmas advent calendar. It's a menorah folder with nine miniature candle-shaped books that collectively tell the story of a biracial Jewish girl's holiday fun. Check out my positive review on The Sydney Taylor Shmooze mock award blog.

Beni's Tiny Tales: Around the Year in Jewish Holidays by Jane Breskin Zalben, Christy Ottaviano Books, 2023

Beni the bear was perhaps the first anthropomorphic animal Jewish character, back in the 1980s. There was a charming series of books about Beni, his bear family, and other Jewish animals celebrating Jewish life and holidays. With this new compendium, we see Beni's generation all grown up and we meet their children. This is a treasury of stories, crafts, songs, and recipes for ten Jewish holidays. This title was included on AJL's Fall 2023 Holiday Highlights list.

 

 

 

MIDDLE GRADE

 

The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet by Jake Maia Arlow, Dial, 2023

 

Who would have thought a book about Crohn's disease could be so charming? Or so queer? Or so Jewish? This difficulty of being 12 is compounded by Al's stomach troubles and by her wrestling with her sexual identity. A new set of friends, The Bathroom Club, comes to the rescue. Funny, surprising, and utterly delightful.

The Gray by Chris Baron, Feiwel & Friends, 2023

 

Sasha struggles with anxiety, which can make him go to "the gray," where he feels disconnected from the world. A device-less summer in rural upstate New York with Aunt Ruthie seems daunting at first, but exploring the now-closed Jewish summer camp and accidentally discovering horse therapy helps a lot. Jewish culture and philosophy infuses the story, including Rabbi Akiva's model of taking things slowly, which helps Sasha avoid feeling overwhelmed. This sensitive story deserves wide readership for its empathy towards kids struggling with mental health.

 

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen, Heartdrum, 2023

 

Mia, Jewish on her mother's side and Muscogee on her father's side, struggles with fitting in. She uses her bat mitzvah money to run away to Oklahoma to reconnect with the Muscogee side of her family and learns a lot about family along the way. This unique graphic novel is based on the author's own experiences and identity. It was fascinating to talk to Emily on The Book of Life Podcast in November 2023.

 

The Puttermans Are In the House by Jacquetta Nammar Feldman, HarperCollins, 2023

 

In the Puttermans' baseball-obsessed family, watching and playing the game is comforting after Hurricane Harvey floods their Houston home and they must move in with relatives. But Sammy can't understand why her twin Matty suddenly quit the team, and cousin Becky feels left out as baseball distracts the family from her bat mitzvah. Told in three voices, this is a big-hearted coming of age story, as American as apple pie and as Jewish as apple cake. Bonus points for the loving acceptance of a gay character (no spoilers!).

 

Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust: Young Readers Edition by Hédi Fried; translated from the Swedish by Alice E. Olsson, illustrated by Laila Ekboir, Scribble Books, 2023

 

You can't get more direct than this approach to Holocaust education, in which a survivor gives detailed but age-appropriate answers to the questions she's been asked many times in school visits. The somewhat random arrangement of topics echoes the experience of being in an audience during a Q&A. Another significant Holocaust middle grade book in 2023 was White Bird: A Novel by Erica Perl, the adaptation of R.J. Palacio's graphic novel (Knopf, 2023); the original won the Sydney Taylor Book Award in 2020. 

A Boy from Baghdad by Miriam Halahmy, Green Bean Books, 2023 in the UK, US publishing date 2024

 

In this unique story, Salman Shasha and his family leave persecution in Iraq for the "Promised Land" only to find hardship in a primitive refugee camp and prejudice from some of the Ashkenazi Jews they meet. Slowly, Salman and his family adapt, find friends, and begin to feel like real Israelis. There are so few books for kids about the Mizrahi experience, so this is an important conribution to Jewish children's literature.

 

Shira and Esther's Double Dream Debut by Anna E. Jordan, Chronicle, 2023

 

Cozily haimish narration brings us a Parent Trap style switcheroo in a Jewish town, where the stage-struck daughter of a rabbi and the studious daughter of a big star trade places. Funny, sweet, and clever, the story reminds us that following dreams is worthwhile.

 

The Miracle Seed by Martin Lemelman, Eerdmans, 2023

 

This graphic novel details the remarkable true story of how Judean date palm trees were brought back from a 2,000 year extinction. Dynamic cartoon art shows how the Jews were defeated at Masada and exiled from their land by the Romans, leaving behind weapons, coins, holy scrolls… and a jar of Judean date palm seeds. Centuries later, Israeli scientists germinated male and female seeds, harvesting the first Judean dates in millenia, which are now being studied for possible health benefits. An author’s graphic note, timeline, and photos round out the book. Uniquely fascinating. A free teacher's guide is available online.

 

The Jake Show by Joshua S. Levy, Katherine Tegan Books, 2023

 

TV-obsessed Jake sees life in terms of shows. His parents divorce is like his favorite show getting cancelled, and now he's stuck playing two roles, Yaakov for his religious mother and Jacob for his secular father. Jake has to concoct a web of lies to get to a Jewish summer camp where he can just be himself. Hijinks ensue in this heartwarming, thoughtful, and hilarious story. Listen to my interview with the Josh on The Book of Life Podcast's August 2023 episode.

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe, Levine Querido, 2023

 

This is Mari Lowe's second Orthodox middle grade novel published by the remarkable Levine Querido; her first, Aviva vs. the Dybbuk, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award. Shaindy's story is one of peer pressure, betrayal, social power, and growth. It's a rare novel set during Yom Kippur, which plays a meaningful part in the story. Subtle, sensitive, and un-put-downable.

 

A Sky Full of Song by Susan Lynn Meyer, Union Square Kids, 2023

Shoshana and her family flee antisemitic persecution in Russia and settle in North Dakota in 1905. They learn to love the prairie and make friends in their new home, but struggle to find the balance between assimilation and Jewish pride. This is a perfect selection for fans of Little House on the Prairie, with an improvement over that classic: respectful depiction of Native Americans. I interviewed Susan on The Book of Life Podcast in May 2023.

Don't Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton, Tundra, 2023

 

This fast-paced novel brings us an unusual view of a vampire family, in which adopted vampire kids grow up and vampire moms bring home blood from the hospital for ethical drinking. Friendship with human children in a quest to defeat a serial killer vampire hunter strain relationships within the family. There's a lot going on, but it's exciting and it raises interesting questions about identity, morality, and who are the real monsters. The author credits antisemitic characterizations in Bram Stoker's Dracula for inspiration, and Jewish themes are woven into the story. An excellent addition to the growing genre of Jewish horror and fantasy.

 

Not So Shy by Noa Nimrodi, Kar-Ben, 2023

 

Israeli Shai moves to the US with her family, but she's not happy about it. We accompany her as she settles in and finds friends, including a Muslim boy whose family customs remind Shai of her own Iraqi Jewish background. A great read-alike for National Book Award finalist Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee, this is a story of growing connection with heritage, allyship, and expansion of the defintition of "home." Read more in my review for The Sydney Taylor Shmooze.

Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros, Inkyard, 2023

 

Past Sydney Taylor Book Award winner Polydoros (The City Beautiful) has created a thoroughly Jewish middle grade fantasy, complete with a Jewish protagonist and monsters drawn from midrash, Talmud, and ancient texts. Zach struggles with bullies, his sexuality, a crush, and on top of that, he has to keep Ashmedai, king of demons, safely secreted away from his family. There's also a scary secret society and a series of epic battles. This is the Jewish fantasy romp we've been waiting for!

The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder, Walden Pond Press, 2023

Zipporah Chava McConnell's interfaith family is not very religious so she's caught off guard when her mom starts planning her bat mitzvah. She copes by turning to her true passion: magic. Zippy identifies as a witch, despite others' lack of belief. Incredibly, she conjures up Miriam, a Jewish spirit who may or may not be benign. Zippy's deeply thoughtful approach to life is very Jewish in this mysterious and magical story. Author Snyder draws on her own interfaith experience to explore feelings of fitting (or not) into a community.

 

YOUNG ADULT:

 

Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler, Wednesday Books, 2023

 

I can't believe nobody thought of this premise until now: a "Sliding Doors" story of a bisexual Jewish girl living out two possible timelines, one in New York with a new girlfriend, the other in California with a new boyfriend! Maybe the world just wasn't ready until now, but romcom fans will love Natalya's double story. Beyond the romance, there are explorations of familial love and friendship, and Shabbat dinner is an important factor in both timelines. A pure delight.

 

The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold, Balzer + Bray, 2023

I have not read this book, but it's getting a lot of attention; it's gotten multiple starred reviews and it was on SLJ's list of best YA books of 2023, so it's certainly worth your attention. Based on the author's family history, this is historical fiction that gives an intimate look at two young sisters struggling to hold onto their sense of self in amongst the dangers of WWII Romania. Another Holocaust book I did not read but is probably worth your time is the graphic novel adaptation of The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe, translated by Lilit Thwaites, adapted by Salva Rubio, illustrated by Loreto Aroca (Godwin Books, 2023), based on the true story of 14-year-old Dita who guards the precious books that keep up the spirits of the prisoners. The original novel won the Sydney Taylor Book Award in 2018.

Just a Hat by S. Khubiar, Blackstone Publishing, 2023

We are finally starting to get some Mizrahi representation in kidlit, and this is an excellent example. Joseph's Iranian Jewish family lives in 1970s Texas, where his outsider status gets him bullied, and he's frustrated by the strictures of his immigrant parents. When the Iran Hostage Crisis occurs, bullying intensifies to threats. Important friendships and the growth of family trust help Joseph navigate these muddy waters. An impressive debut.

Planning Perfect by Haley Neil, Bloomsbury YA, 2023

Biromantic ace spectrum Jewish Felicia tries not to let her anxiety and perfectionism take over, but when her free-spirited mom announces she's getting married, Felicia steps in to "save the day." However, her over-thinking and over-planning might be a problem... This cute romcom includes likeable LGBT characters, believable character growth, and interesting reflections on varying ways of being Jewish.

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros, Inkyard Press, 2023

A creepy revenge fantasy with a soul, this is the story of Vera, a golem created with dark magic out of a dead girl's body parts in order to avenge her death. Chaya was a partisan fighting the Nazis, and Vera has her memories, including her love for fellow fighter Akiva. She struggles with her sense of self and her purpose in a way that is very human. 

 

A Warning About Swans by R.M. Romero, Peachtree Teen, 2023

I must admit I have not read this one, but I trust that Romero, who came out last year with the strong fantasy The Ghosts of Rose Hill, has the chops to hit another one out of the ball park. It sounds amazing: a combination of Norse myth, European history, and magic, with a non-binary Jewish character, rendered in verse. Another fantasy with queer representation is Lion's Legacy by L.C. Rosen (Union Square, 2023), which is a rip-roaring adventure in the vein of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It has minimal Jewish content, but the representation is there and the book is a lot of fun.

Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkin, Roaring Brook Press, 2023

Rudi Vrba, through intelligence, luck, and sheer determination, managed to survive Auschwitz, survive a harrowing escape, and tell the world about what was happening. His true story reads like a thriller and his heroism saved thousands of lives. An impressive and inspiring piece of Holocaust nonfiction.