My Completely Unofficial 2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award Shortlist

It's time for my annual unofficial shortlist of potential Sydney Taylor Book Award winners! As you may know, in addition to interviewing authors of Jewish kidlit for many years, 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 2024, 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.Titles are linked to Bookshop.org for your purchasing convenience; as an affiliate, The Book of Life benefits when you buy through these links.

We'll find out whether the Real Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee agrees with my choices when the winners are announced on January 27, 2025 at 10am ET, at the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards event! Also, watch The Book of Life Podcast webpage - after the announcement, I'll have a podcast interview with current Sydney Taylor Book Awards Chair, Aviva Rosenberg.

PICTURE BOOKS

Challah for Shabbat Tonight by Sara Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Alona Millgram, Algonquin Young Readers, 2024

Rhyming books can be painful or playful; luckily this one is the joyful! With a strong beat reminiscent of Liz Garton Scanlon's beautiful All the World, we are pulled along through each stage of challah preparation with a girl and her grandma, including the downtime while the dough rests and rises. A diverse Jewish group of friends and family gathers for dinner, including Jews of color and women in kippot. Alona Millgram's flat, stylized illustrations are saturated with calming earth tones, adding to the peaceful nature of the story. This book was included on AJL's Fall 2024 Holiday Highlights list.

On Friday Afternoon by Michal Babay, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt, Charlesbridge, 2024

Leelee and her dog Pickles get ready for Shabbat in a cause and effect narrative loosely reminiscent of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. The story gives a great sense of the building chaos before sundown and the peace that follows. Menahem Halberstadt's illustrations, as always, are adorably expressive and full of humorous detail. This book was included on AJL's Spring 2024 Holiday Highlights list. 

A Turkish Rosh Hashanah by Etan Basseri, illustrated by Zeynep Özatalay, Kalaniot, 2024

The story of prepping for Rosh Hashanah and outwitting a bully is basic, but the embellishments of Sephardic life in Turkey add flavor and interest to the tale. Ladino vocabulary is woven naturally into the storytelling, and the detailed illustrations by Turkish artist Zenyep Özatalay give a strong sense of place. The uniqueness of setting and representation makes this book stand out. This title was included on AJL's Fall 2024 Holiday Highlights list.

Miri's Moving Day by Adam R. Chang and Stephanie Wildman, illustrated by Dream Chen, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2024

Miri is half Chinese and half European Jewish. When her family moves to a new apartment, all of her grandparents, her Mah Mah and Yeh Yeh and her Bubbe and Zayde, help her to feel at home with the gifts of a mezuzah (from her Yeh Yeh) and a pair of guardian lion statues (from her Zeyde). This is a sweet story about solidarity within a loving biracial family, with respect paid to protective traditions from both cultures. Dream Chen's cartoon illustrations are straightforward and cheerful. The story can serve as comfort for children who are moving, but beyond that it's a lovely story about intergenerational love.

Eighteen Flowers for Grandma: A Gift of Chai by Alison Goldberg, illustrated by Jesse White, Red Comet Press, 2024

L'chaim! This is the only picture book I've ever read that focuses on "chai," the Hebrew word for "life." It's spelled with chet and yod, the 8th and 10th letters of the Hebrew alphabet, so the number 18 is considered lucky in Jewish tradition. Grandma is graduating from art school, and Sadie wants to give her a gift of "chai" - an art project with 18 components. With inspiration from Chagall and a vase of flowers at a Jewish wedding, Sadie comes up with a creative gift. The story was inspired by the author's own grandmother, who graduated college at age 78. Jesse White's sweeping illustrations, with their limited palette and lots of charcoal-toned lines, enhance the artsy theme. While Sadie is not explicitly identified as an Asian Jew, the visuals of her hair and eyes allow her to be read that way.

Workitu's Passover by Zahava Workitu Goshen and Maayan Ben Hagai, illustrated by Eden Spivak, Green Bean Books, 2024

Based on the memories of the real Workitu, this story introduces readers to the Ethiopian Jewish Passover custom of breaking last year's pottery and using the material to create new clay kitchenware. Her aunt explains "We must break old things to make room for the new. We break, but we make again. Both with the same hands." The circle-of-life philosophy and the intergenerational connections show the beauty of this custom, especially when Workitu realizes that the same clay, used over and over, might even date back to the Exodus. A fascinating slice of Beta Israel life. This book was included on AJL's Spring 2024 Holiday Highlights list. 

Every Wrinkle Has a Story by David Grossman, illustrated by Ninamasina, translated by Jessica Cohen, Groundwood Books, 2024
Dandelion Snow by Rinat Primo, illustrated by Maya Ish-Shalom, translated by June Amikam, Green Bean Books, 2024

These two books have no explicit Jewish content, but they are worth knowing about because they are set in Israel and are translated from Hebrew. Every Wrinkle Tells a Story shows a sweet interaction between a grandfather and grandson, when the man explains that his wrinkles come from both sad and happy events as well as from age. The child looks forward to becoming a person with wrinkle-forming experiences. In Dandelion Snow, a kindergarten class's weekly playtime in a field of dandelions is disrupted by the construction of new housing. They welcome the idea of new neighborhood friends, but also make an effort to preserve the flowers by blowing the wispy seeds everywhere. My one quibble is that the illustrations, though lovely, make the flowers look more like yellow daisies than dandelions. 

The Greatest by Veera Hiranandani, illustrated by Vesper Stamper, Random House Studio, 2024

A grandfather reflects that he's just an ordinary guy, although his grandchildren make him feel like the greatest. Jewish activities such as a Passover seder and a deli feast are smoothly incorporated into the list of shared pastimes, and even more Jewish content is shared solely through Vesper Stamper's cozy illustrations, but the story of intergenerational love is universal. A particularly nice touch in the illustrations is the evolution of the tween grandson's attitude, as he moves from focus on his phone to participation in family fun. This gentle and lovely story might be even more popular with grandparents than kids!

First Fruits written & illustrated by Amalia Hoffman, PJ Publishing, 2024

While I am not personally a big fan of Amalia Hoffman's finger-painting style of illustration, this book is notable for two reasons, one happy and one sad. Sadly, this is Hoffman's last book, as she died unexpectedly this year. Happily, it's a book about Shavuot, a holiday that gets very little attention in the publishing world, and it's simple enough to read with very young children, an extra plus. It was included on AJL's Spring 2024 Holiday Highlights list.

Ping Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman by Ann Koffsky, illustrated by Abigail Rajunov, little bee books, 2024

Estee Ackerman, star ping-pong player, had a chance to become table tennis champion at age 11, but chose to forgo the opportunity when the game fell on Shabbat. "She knew she had made the choice that was right for her." Happily, she won the gold medal the following year, when the championship game was scheduled on a Monday. Abigail Rajunov's dynamic, sketchy illustrations convey the high energy action of Estee's gameplay, while warm blue and gold make the Shabbat scenes special. The legacy of Sandy Koufax (who chose not to play in the 1965 World Series on Yom Kippur) lives on in Estee, and it's a bonus that this time it's a female athlete playing a sport never before covered in picture book lore. This book was included on AJL's Fall 2024 Holiday Highlights list. A good read-alike would be Perfect Match: The Story of Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton by Lori Dubbin, a picture book about the friendship between Black and Jewish tennis players.

A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell written & illustrated by Miri Leshem-Pelly, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2024

Most picture books about Israel are whirlwind tours that sweep readers from the Kotel to the Red Sea to the waters of Eilat. This book is very different. Life-long nature fan Miri Leshem-Pelly has created a love letter to the landscape of Israel. For each of the country's many biomes, she features a natural found object as a focus for contemplation. She urges the environmentally protective philosophy seen in many parks, to take only pictures and leave only memories. Her own love of the land shines through. The author will appear on The Book of Life Podcast in 2025.

Rising by Sidura Ludwig, illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy, Candlewick, 2024

How do I even describe how gorgeous and clever this book is? The subtle, poetic narrative draws parallels between various ways of rising and resting, literally with the challah being baked and figuratively with life itself. Sophia Vincent Guy's illustrations have a quality of indirect sunlight illuminating a peaceful room, and nearly every picture includes flowers: painted on crockery, embroidered on fabric, or growing in the garden. The mother is visibly pregnant, implying additional layers of meaning about rising and the passage of time. The child narrator, with their fluffy shock of hair, can be interpreted as any gender, making the story universally relatable. The author reaches out directly to readers in the backmatter, sharing her challah recipe with the words "it will be like we are baking together." A treasure. This book was included on AJL's Spring 2024 Holiday Highlights list.

Saliman and the Memory Stone by Erica Lyons, illustrated by Yinon Ptahia, Apples & Honey Press, 2024

This slice of Jewish history shows how Yemenite Jews traveled on foot to the land of Israel in the 1800s, escaping persecution and returning to the land of their ancestors. Young Saliman brings along a stone from his house in Yemen, that helps him remember his first home as he treks through the desert and across the Red Sea to his new one. Lyrical and emotional, it's specific to the mostly untold story of Yemenite Jews while also being universally relatable to the historically common Jewish experience of displacement. Israeli illustrator Yinin Ptahia's delicate art humanizes the characters and offers a strong sense of place. Notably, Erica Lyons wrote another book this year about Jews in diaspora: On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India's Bene Israel.

Mixed-Up Mooncakes by Erica Lyons and Christina Matula, illustrated by Tracy Subisak, Quill Tree Books, 224

Ruby is half Chinese and half European Jewish, so it's only natural that her family celebrates the harvest holidays of Mid-Autumn Festival and Sukkot at the same time. With Nainai and Zayde, Ruby figures out a way to move the holidays from parallel celebrations to intersectionality, by creating Chinese mooncakes with traditional Jewish ingredients. The co-authors shared their Hong Kong experiences of these holidays on The Book of Life in October 2024, and this book was included on AJL's Fall 2024 Holiday Highlights list. It is the perfect companion to last year's Two New Years by Richard Ho, a picture book about the commonalities between Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year was featured on The Book of Life in September 2023, appeared on AJL's Fall 2023 Holiday Highlights list, and won the 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Award.

One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Sarah Green, Calkins Creek, 2024

This insightful picture book biography of Taylor, author of the All-of-a-Kind Family series and a significant figure in Jewish literary history, meant so much to me that I reviewed it for The Sydney Taylor Shmooze. It views Taylor's life through the lens of social justice, with the publication of her books of Jewish representation seen as her crowning achievement. An interview with author Richard Michelson and Sydney's daughter Jo will appear on The Book of Life Podcast in January 2025.

Joyful Song: A Naming Story by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal, Levine Querido, 2024

Big brother Zachary and his two moms bring their new baby girl to synagogue for her naming ceremony, gathering diverse friendly neighbors along the way. This book is a dream of the perfect neighborhood: pretty and walkable, vibrantly multicultural, welcoming and kind. Awash with warm rainbow colors against bright white pages, it's a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul. As we discussed when I interviewed the author and illustrator on The Book of Life in June 2024, this story is the natural evolution of Newman's earlier Heather Has Two Mommies, in which the lesson of tolerance has been left behind, replaced with the joyful embrace of sacred community.

Where Is Poppy? by Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024

A young girl is sad to have a Passover seder without her late Poppy, but eventually realizes that his loving habits are still in practice among her mishpachah. Dana Wulfkotte's delicate artwork and limited palette are a good match for the wistful feel of the story, and the multiracial Jewish family offers realistic modern representation. A tribute to the author's beloved grandfather, this is a meditation on how those we love remain with us through family traditions.This book was included on AJL's Spring 2024 Holiday Highlights list. 

Sharing Shalom by Danielle Sharkan, illustrated by Selina Alko, Holiday House, 2024

Based on the author's experience of an antisemitic incident, this story brings healing as it shows a diverse  community rallying to repair Leila's vandalized synagogue. Especially notable is how Leila's love of her Jewish identity and heritage is firmly established at the opening of the story, so that readers understand what is being threatened. The love lavished on Hebrew letters is another welcome aspect, although, oddly, the word "shalom" is never defined, even in the end note. Hopefully, "shalom" is familiar enough to most English speakers that the lack of definition will not be an issue. Beyond that one quibble, this is a beautifully told story of the emotional impact of both prejudice and allyship. Selina Alko's warm collage illustrations incorporate Hebrew text into each scene, enhancing the Jewish flavor.

One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov, Dial Books, 2024

This is a poetic call to action, to pitch in and help repair the world. The book acknowledges that problems can feel too big to tackle but that by working together and being patient, we can all make a difference. The term "tikkun olam" is not introduced until the conclusion, where it is immediately followed by an explanatory author's note. This adds to the universality of the presentation, although Jewish imagery is woven throughout, with a synagogue as part of a cityscape and challah being shared among volunteers cleaning up a playground. Colorful birds flutter between characters to show inspiration and connection in Victoria Tentler-Krylov's sweeping, dynamic illustrations. This gorgeous and empowering book would make a great graduation gift for any age.

We Celebrate the Light by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple, illustrated by Jieting Chen, Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2024

While not strictly a Jewish book, this lyrical title includes Chanukah among seven holidays that literally and figuratively celebrate light. The Chanukah spreads show Jews with a variety of skin tones, celebrating togetherness and the connections to their ancestors as they play dreidel and share a feast by the light of the menorah. It's by the Jewish mother-daughter power duo Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, with luminous (forgive the pun) painterly illustrations by Asian American illustrator Jieting Chen. While unlikely to receive Sydney Taylor recognition because it's only one-seventh Jewish in content, the inclusion is lovely and much appreciated.

MIDDLE GRADE

On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories edited by Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy, and Naomi Milliner, illustrated by Shannon Hochman, Harry N. Abrams, 2024

This cleverly designed anthology of short stories about Passover offers one story for each step of the seder. The lineup of authors is stellar, and diverse Jewish representation and storytelling styles abound, including fantasy, verse, memoir, and even comics.

Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar, Nancy Paulsen Books, 2024

Four generations of a Sephardic family, from the Inquisition to the modern day, move full circle from Spain through Turkey, Cuba, Miami, and back again in this fascinating exploration of the Jewish spirit. I interviewed the author on The Book of Life in May 2024.

The Night War by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Dial Books, 2024

Miri and baby Nora manage to escape the Nazi roundup of Jews in Paris, ending up hidden by Catholics in the French countryside. With the help of a royal ghost, Miri comes to understand her own bravery and also manages to bring out empathy and courage in others. An atmospheric Holocaust story, light on the violence, with excellent character development.

Golemcrafters by Emi Watanabe Cohen, Levine Querido, 2024

Jewish Japanese American siblings Faye and Shiloh begin to learn golemcrafting from their estranged Zeyde. During each night of their visit, they find themselves in a mysterious parallel world where innocent villagers are attacked by hateful mobs. As they unravel this mystery and experience visceral antisemitism, readers gain insight into the feeling of being on the receiving end of hate. A fascinating exploration of the lows and highs of the Jewish experience. I interviewed the author on The Book of Life in November 2024.

Not Nothing by Gayle Forman, Aladdin, 2024

Gayle Forman's magical ability to invoke "all the feels" comes through once again. 107-year-old Josey and troubled kid Alex bond through the old man's memories about rising to the occasion of one's life. The boy, who's been made to feel as if he's nothing, learns that he's really quite something. Forman reflects the best of humanity every time. I loved this book so much that I podcasted about it in October 2024.

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz (Operation Kinderspion series), Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2024

Max goes by Kindertransport to England, where, in hopes of reuniting with his parents in Germany, he ends up training as a spy. He's accompanied by two invisible magical beings on his shoulders who provide commentary along the way: a kobold and a dybbuk named Berg and Stein. It takes an author of Adam Gidwitz's caliber to combine whip-smart historical fiction with humorous fantasy set during the Holocaust and make it work! The sequel, Max in the Land of Lies, comes out in February 2025, and amazingly, it's even more exciting than the first book, and has incredibly important things to say. I interviewed the author on The Book of Life in July 2024 along with Steve Sheinkin, author of the Holocaust YA nonfiction title, Impossible Escape. If you like WWII stories, you'll also like The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin, a historical novel about British code breakers that sweeps you up like an Enola Holmes film. The main characters are Jewish, but their identity is not a major factor within the story.

When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman, Scholastic Press, 2024

I heard an interview with author Alice Hoffman in which she said she was invited by Scholastic to write this book because readers are less familiar with Anne Frank than they used to be. Can this be true? Anecdotally, it feels like all anyone ever talks about is Anne Frank - and her best friend, and her pen pal, and the tree outside her window. To me, this obsession with Anne is creepy, and I could not bring myself to read this book. That said, Alice Hoffman is an amazing writer, the book is getting great buzz, and the idea of humanizing Anne by focusing on her life before she went into hiding seems like a positive approach.

The Color of Sound by Emily Barth Isler, Carolrhoda Books, 2024

Rosie is a musical prodigy with synesthesia - she sees music in color. She's also on strike from playing violin, needing a break from the pressure. During a summer spent with her grandparents, a mysterious time glitch introduces her to her own mother at age 12. Insights into her family dynamics, including their connection with Judaism, helps Rosie heal and move forward. A quiet and atmospheric novel with a fascinating premise. 

What Jewish Looks Like by Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illustrated by Iris Gottlieb, HarperCollins, 2024

This striking collective biography profiles 36 (double chai) diverse Jewish people from across time and space. Clear and thorough introductory material explains who Jews are and touches upon history and antisemitism. A list of resources and websites in the back of the book extend learning opportunities for readers. While the full page colorful cartoon illustrations are not to my personal taste, they do a nice job of introducing each person and showcasing their diversity. This lively book fulfills its mission of raising awareness about the variety of Jewish identity.That identity focus would make it a great b'nai mitzvah or graduation gift.

Mendel the Mess-Up written and illustrated by Terry LaBan, Holiday House, 2024

This graphic novel set in the shtetl introduces us to Mendel, cursed by the evil eye to always mess up. When Cossacks invade, his curse turns out to be an advantage. I expected the book to be goofy and funny, but was blown away to find that it also explores human relationships, ethics, and the value of study - all during a hair-raising adventure. The threat of the Cossacks feels very real, and Mendel's growth arc is strong and believable. Let's hope for more graphic novels from Terry LaBan!

Let It Glow by Joanne Levy and Marissa Meyer, Feiwel & Friends, 2024

Twins separated at birth: Aviva has been raised Jewish and Holly has been raised Christian. When they find each other at a holiday pageant rehearsal, they swap homes in order to experience the other's holiday, and hijinks ensue. Co-written by Jewish and Christian author friends, this quick read is a cute and funny story about identity, that may also help educate non-Jews about the minority experience of the holiday season. I interviewed author Joanne Levy on The Book of Life in December 2024.

Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy, Katherine Tegan Books, 2024

Orthodox Jewish Ezra and mostly secular Finn find themselves trapped in a time loop over their bar mitzvah weekend. Only by learning to appreciate their own lives, by reflecting on the very different lives of the other, can they figure out how to break free. Fun, clever, and unique. 

Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry, Clarion Books, 2024

Young Sophie wants her bestie Old Sophie to remain in her home, and gives her memory tests to try to prove that she's fit enough to live on her own. These exercises spark memories of the "old country" and the worsening conditions as WWII approached. While not exactly a Holocaust book, this sensitive story touches upon the human cruelty and love revealed during wartime, while also building the beautiful relationship between the two Sophies.

Lucky Penny by Aimee Lucido, illustrated by Jon Davis, Apples & Honey Press, 2024

It's hard enough to find good Rosh Hashanah books, but an early chapter book is a true rarity! In this slim volume, Penny hopes that lucky objects will help her get picked to blow the shofar at the Rosh Hashanah picnic. Of course everything goes wrong, and Penny learns a lot about superstition and making your own luck. This book was included on AJL's Fall 2024 Holiday Highlights list.

Benji Zeb Is a Ravenous Werewolf by Deke Moulton, Tundra Books, 2024

Benji lives on kibbutz/wolf sanctuary with his Jewish werewolf family. He is dealing with his upcoming bar mitzvah, major anxiety, a gay crush, ... and lycanthropy. Helping a new werewolf brings him confidence, and his Torah portion gives him the insight to push back against local antisemitism. Betsy Bird says "This isn’t just A werewolf book for kids. It is THE werewolf book for kids," and I completely agree. I interviewed the author on The Book of Life in November 2024.

The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by Mo Netz, Clarion Books, 2024

Jerry Blum's mom has taken a mysterious job at a rundown hotel at the edge of a creepy forest. When mom disappears, Jerry, her new friend Chapel, and her imaginary (maybe) dragon friend Paul set out to find mom, with Jerry's wheelchair as no barrier to their quest. This atmospheric supernatural adventure quest is unique in having a Jewish disabled protagonist. While Jerry's Jewish identity is a minor factor within the story, it adds another interesting layer to the representation of the tale of an empowered disabled heroine.

Nightmares in Paradise by Aden Polydoros (Ring of Solomon series), Inkyard Press, 2024

This is the sequel to Polydoros' Ring of Solomon, and continues the adventures of Zach, his little sister Naomi, his friend Sandra, and Ash, the king of demons. In this entry, the team must rescue Naomi, who has been whisked away to the Garden of Eden. A winning combination of modern Ashkenazi American life and ancient Jewish folklore makes this a fun romp. Zach is dealing with his gay identity as well, adding another layer of representation to the story.

Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero, illustrated by E.K. Belsher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024

A fairy tale style portal story based on Jewish folklore, this is the closest I've seen to a Jewish version of Narnia. Heroine Anne Applebaum goes on a quest to save her long lost twin and restore order to the world, in an emotionally satisfying story with an old fashioned flavor and an adventurous plot.

Just Shy of Ordinary by A.J. Sass, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024

As always, Sass does a great job of creating characters discovering their own gender and sexual identity. In this case, nonbinary Shai is also discovering their Jewish identity, from which their mom has been somewhat estranged. Threads about anxiety and chosen family add to the mix. A contemporary story with a satisfying growth arc.

The Treasure of Tel Maresha by Tammar Stein, illustrated by Barbara Bongini, Apples & Honey Press, 2024

A girl in ancient Israel and a modern girl on an archaeological dig are connected by a lost artifact. This short chapter book brings to life the concerns of the past and the deep connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Once again, Tammar Stein sensitively shows how Israel is key to Jewish peoplehood.

YOUNG ADULT

The Judgement of Yoyo Gold by Isaac Blum, Philomel Books, 2024

Orthodox rabbi's daughter Yoyo (Yochoved) has always been a good girl, but when she starts noticing hypocrisy among friends and neighbors, she feels justified in bending the rules herself. A friendship with a Reform Jewish girl leads her to try out social media, where she starts "outing" others in her community. This is a fascinating story of growth and identity, that depicts Orthodox life in a way that non-Orthodox readers can find relatable.

The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb, Levine Querido, 2024

Set in the Pale of Settlement, this paranormal mystery brims with Jewish magic. Sorel runs away the night before her wedding, taking on a male identity, Isser Jacobs. She soon discovers that there's a real Isser Jacobs and that people want him dead. Why? What is the "forbidden book"? And is Sorel happier being male than female? A bit more complicated than Lamb's debut When the Angels Left the Old Country, but another great exploration of gender, identity, and Jewish folklore.

Summer Nights and Meteorites by Hannah Reynolds, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 2024

Another entry in the romcom series about an extended Sephardic Jewish family on Nantucket. The nice thing about these books is that there is substance beyond the romance in each and every one. Jordan Edelman falls for Ethan Barbanel, but along with the enemies-to-lovers plot comes Jordan's summer job working with her passion: astronomy, and her historical research that brings credit to an underacknowledged woman scientist. Jewish identity adds flavor to the well rounded characters.

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024

This sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow continues the story of Rowan and Neil. After falling in love at the end of high school in the first book, now they are off to separate colleges. Increased independence, long distance relationships, and mental health issues are thoroughly explored. Their Jewish identity is not a major part of the story, but does add flavor, and it's interesting to continue past the "happily ever after" with familiar characters.

Night Owls by A.R. Vishny, HarperCollins, 2024

A thrilling paranormal adventure with deep Jewish vibes, this is the story of two estries (Jewish female owl-shifting vampires) who run an art house cinema in the Village, and their straight and queer romances. Atmospheric, quick paced, and full of cinematic flair! One of my personal favorites of the year. An author interview will appear on The Book of Life in 2025.