The Sky Was My Blanket by Uri Shulevitz*

 Mr. Shulevitz shares his uncle's story as he travels across Europe before and during WWII. At the age of fifteen and a half, he leaves his home in Poland and traverses many countries, living with other Jews, working, and learning. Readers will be amazed how he endured difficulties beyond our modern comprehension. 

The chapters are short. The sentences are short and to the point also. 

This book was Mr. Shulevitz's last one.

*Highly recommend.

Discuss: What was Yehiel Szulewicz's worldview? What did he believe about God? 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Travels of Benjamin of Tudela by Uri Shulevitz*

Through Three Continents in the Twelfth Century

Mr. Shulevitz transforms Benjamin of Tudela's book, Book of Travels, into a picture book for children. Any extra information he added, he carefully researched and kept it authentic to the time period. 

Benjamin of Tudela is considered the greatest medieval Jewish traveler. After exploring (enduring drastic weather and circumstances) the "then known world" for  fourteen years, he arrived home to northern Spain to share his experiences and new knowledge. He had set out one hundred years before Marco Polo to view the world!

*Highly recommend for older students. Younger ones may find this account not very interesting.

-Borrowed from the library.

Hidden in Silence -DVD

 Based on a true story

To enhance my son's study of the Holocaust, I had our family watch this movie. 

During War World II, Stefania, a seventeen-year-old Polish Roman Catholic, hides Jews in two different homes. Not only does she hide them, but she also risks her life by leading them out of the Polish Ghetto, gathers food to feed them, and also secures a job to pay to support all of them. Towards the end of the war, the Nazis take over her home to serve as a house for nurses. As a result, the Jews hide in the attic, right above the Nazis!! Incredible.

My son wasn't overly thrilled with the movie . . .in the first third of it, he commented, "Mom, this isn't a very good movie." When I reminded him it was to expose him to the horrors of the Holocaust and what they endured, he settled down & changed his perspective. By end he said it was good in the sense that it brought this era of history to life. 

Warning: The Nazi nurses slept with soldiers-some scenes of intimacy were included-you can easily fast forward these parts. Of course, war violence & senseless cruelty to the Jews.

-Borrowed from the library.

A novel based on Stefania's story has been published: The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron.

The Borrowed House by Hilda van Stockum

 After two years of living in Germany with her nurse, twelve-year-old Janna travels to occupied Holland to join her actor parents. The Baron, her mother's friend, has provided a house for them and another family. The former owners, the van Arkels, were forced to leave. Before arriving to Holland, Janna was a member of the Hitler Youth. She soon discovers as she interacts with the household staff and witnesses how the Germans treat the Dutch, she has brainwashed and has been fed lies. As World War II rages, Janna realizes the truth about Hitler and the Jews. By the end of the story her perspective has transformed.

I have not read many World War II books from the perspective of a character who loves Hitler and his beliefs. It was interesting to read what she believed to be truth and how it affected her interactions. The plot captivated me. 

Janna's parents, both actors, maintain an odd relationship throughout the book. I did not find it believable. Janna's mother, Mechtild, loves the Baron and his generosity. They are having an affair (nothing graphic is described). Her father, Otto, knows it is occurring but often just makes a snide comment or looks away. Toward the end Otto and the Baron engage in a fist fight over Mechtild. The resolution results too quickly and shallowly. Also, Janna's parents seem more interested in themselves and their careers than being her parents. Their parenting desires fluctuate throughout the story. By its conclusion, it appears they understand the importance of being together. They just seem shallow and self-centered. This part of the book did not appeal to me and is why I am not "highly recommending" it. Other aspects were superb.

This book is more suited for an older audience, but again, it has the appearance of a book for elementary age readers.

Why it is for older readers: Janna's mother's affair-very apparent throughout the book; WWII violence/cruelty; the other family in the house has a party with SS soldiers-Janna, who is bored, walks into the party. An SS soldier pulls her onto his lap and attempts to kiss her two times; An older boy, who she likes, gives her a goodbye kiss (nothing inappropriate); the German father  of the other family who lives there physically abuses his son

-I own this book.

The Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum*

 I read this book aloud to my sixteen-year-old son during lunch. This exciting novel engaged us and deepened our appreciation for ordinary Dutch citizens who sacrificed their lives for their fellow-countrymen.

Joris and Dirk Jan Verhagen live in a mill with their parents and little sister Trixie. During WW II their family assists many individuals, from a Jewish baby hidden in a garden to members of the Resistance to two little girls whose parents must hide to a English bomber to an escapee (They also assist in many other situations!). Their neighbors, the wealthy Schenderhans, have a son who is a Landwatcher, working for the enemy. His diligent "watching" causes much consternation throughout the book.

I love how this book brings to life the impact of WWII  has on one country, on one small village, and on one family. Although this book is fictional, the accounts are based on what real Dutchmen and women did.  Ms. van Stockum is an excellent storyteller.

This book has the appearance for elementary age readers, but with the descriptions of how the Nazis treated the people, I would recommend it for twelve years & older. High schoolers may label it too young for them, but I think they would enjoy it.

Considerations/things to discuss: war violence, cruelty, mean characters, the Verhagen family is Catholic  Their view of God and their theology will contradict Protestants. Parents may want to discuss the family's theology with younger children who are not solid in their faith. 

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book.

Not This Turkey! by Jessica Steinberg illustrated by Amanda Pike

 A humorous story about Jewish immigrants celebrating Thanksgiving 

Papa wins a turkey raffle at work-a live turkey! Mel, the narrator & the son, does not want to eat the turkey for Thanksgiving. To his relief, the butcher offers his insight about the turkey and allows the turkey to live in his animal yard. 

I like how the reader can learn about immigrants through a delightful story. Also, the author based it on an actual family's experience.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Peddler and the President by Ann Diament Koffsky illustrated by Pedro Rodriguez*

 Harry Truman and Eddie Jacobson are quite different from each other-seven years apart, Christian vs Jewish. But both of them had stopped attending school to work to support their families. During this time their friendship forms. They part ways but resume their friendship during WW I where they train at the same base in Oklahoma. Over the years their friendship endures challenging times (a failed business, the Great Depression, a wife that doesn't like Jews).  Eventually, Harry becomes president of the United States! Eddie is welcomed to visit President Truman at the White House whenever he wants. He, however, is careful not to take advantage of the friendship and ask for favors. But when President Truman is trying to discern if he should support an independent Jewish state/nation, Eddie knows he must speak up and convince his friend to support his people.

An easy to read biography with a lot of substance and also with a lot of ideas to discuss.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library (I asked my library's director to buy it for my library. She did!)

Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar

 One of the Newbery Honor winners & a Sydney Taylor Book Award-Silver Medalist-2025

Ms. Behar bases aspects of this novel on her own Jewish grandmother's journey from Turkey to Cuba.

Readers will learn the history of Shephardic Jews from four different female viewpoints during four different time periods-Benvendia, 1492 (Spain to Turkey),  Reina, 1923 (from Turkey to Cuba), Alegria, 1961 (Cuba to Miami), and then Paloma, 2003 (twho ties all three ancestors together by visiting Spain and learning more about their story).

I really enjoyed learning the history of these specific Jews during the time periods. The author researched extensively and relayed the facts well. The characters are not well-developed. Their stories end abruptly, but I wasn't upset because I did not connect to them. I felt like the book was more didactic than a captivating story. The purpose of this book seems more informational than a well-crafted story. I also felt like in part 4 all of the stories meshed together a bit too perfectly. This book would have been a great informational book, not a novel. The characters regarded their Jewish faith more as a superstition than a relationship.

-Borrowed from the library.

When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman

 I read this novel in less than twenty-four hours! It is a compelling read.

Ms. Hoffman imagines what Anne Frank's life may have been before her father hid her and the family in the secret annex. Readers experience with Anne the gradual loss of freedom in the Netherlands as the Nazi assume more control. Throughout it all Anne keeps trying to cling to the good in people and in life and concludes love is the one thing they cannot take away. The book ends with Anne entering their secret room.

I felt the writing was a bit repetitive. Throughout the novel, I thought, "Yes, this idea or this phrase was already mentioned and expounded upon. Let's have a new thought or point."

Discuss: WWII and its atrocities, hope vs courage (towards the end the characters do not hope but try to have courage), Anne begins a romantic relationship w/ a young man at age twelve (they only hold hands), following a set of rules or having absolutes was regarded as not a good way to conduct life, instead-being you and whatever your heart desires is what is true.

Celebrate! Stories of the Jewish Holidays by Gilda Berger illustrated by Peter Catalanotto*

 Recently my library displayed some Jewish history and celebration books. This one caught my attention. How I wished I had known about it when we studied ancient history. Ms. Berger explains the major Jewish holidays by sharing the traditional stories, what they celebrate, how they celebrate, and craft and food ideas. 

If you are from a Christian background, the stories vary a bit from Christian scriptures. The differences would create an opportunity for discussion.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Always Remember Me How One Family Survived World War II by Marisabina Russo

 As her grandmother pages through a family album, a granddaughter listens to her relate how she and her daughters, Jews living in Germany,  survived WW II. Based on the author's family's story. The endpages contain the author's family's photographs from this time period.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Golem's Latkes retold by Eric A. Kimmel illustrated by Aaron Jasinski

 Rabbi Judah creates a golem who will do any task when told. One problem-he will keep doing the task until someone says, "Golem, enough!". When Rabbi Judah visits Emperor Rudolf in Prague, he leaves his new housemaid, Basha,  in charge. Against his better judgment, he permits her to use the Golem. 

Pair with Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola & Sweep: The Story of a Girl & Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier (for older kids-grades 4 & older) to make T-T connections.

-Borrowed from the library.

Hidden Hope How a Toy & a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust by Elisa Boxer illustrated Amy June Bates*

 Ms. Boxer's relates how Jacqueline, a teenage "social worker", participates in the French Resistance during WWII. With a wooden duck tucked in her satchel, she transports false identities & papers for hidden French Jews. She saves more two hundred lives! Surprisingly, Jacqueline isn't her real name. She is really Judith Geller and is a Jew! 

The author's note and the illustrator's note share more amazing facts about Judith Geller and her fight vs. the Nazis.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Great Good Thing by Andrew Klavan*

 Just a couple of months ago I had never heard of Andrew Klavan. After reading a book review about one of his books in World magazine, I started reading his Cameron Winters series. Reading how he was once a secular Jew who came to Christ, I wanted to hear his story. This memoir shares with the reader his life from childhood to his baptism. As the reader journeys with him, they witness his deep, pyschological struggles and how God and His love was guiding him to Himself.  God is a personal god. He pursues and woos us in intimate and unique ways. He is patient. 

I see similarities between Cameron Winters and Mr. Klavan. I will appreciate the third Cameron Winters book all the more now. 

*Highly recommend for adults. 

-Borrowed via inter-lib loan.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor*

 The Sydney Taylor award offered each year by the ALA is named after this author.

I loved this late elementary chapter book! Readers meet a family with five girls-Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie, who live in the Lower East Side in NYC in the early 1900s. Their unique, feisty personalities and mild adventures will delight readers. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Jewish customs and "living" with a Jewish family for a few hours. The series is based on the author's life.

*Highly recommend. Five books in the series --  This is book #1.

-Borrowed from the library.

When I Grow Up by Ken Krimstein

 A podcast I recently listened to featured the author Gary Schmidt. He recommended this book.

Yiddish scholars created an autobiographical essay contest where Jews, ages 13-21, would explain what it means to be a Jew. Two stipulations were set:  the autobiography had to be truthful, and it had to be anonymous. One essayist broke all of the rules (including the age range). Her photograph is included in the back. More than seven hundred entries arrived. On the day the grand prize was to be awarded, the Nazis invaded Poland. Brave librarians hid the essays. These essays were hidden one more time from the KGB in organ pipes! In 2017 they were discovered and preserved. This book contains six of those entries.

I found the essays interesting and very well-written. I was surprised how many Jewish young people were drawn to socialism and how divided they were concerning Zionism.

Warnings/points to consider/discuss- some swearing, adultery (an essayist's father), a young man enjoys a girl's breast resting on his chest, communism

The Book Rescuer by Sue Macy illustrated by Stacy Innerst

As a college student, Aaron Lansky decided to study Jewish history and to learn the Yiddish language. Visiting his home town, he was appalled to see the rabbi about to bury a basket full of Yiddish books. No one read them; they were not useful anymore. Burying them showed respect. The rabbi allowed Aaron to cart them home. This rescue started a forty-year rescue of Yiddish literature and books. Aaron now runs the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA.

Fascinating!

-Borrowed from the library.

The Miracle Seed by Martin Lemelman*

 What a fascinating book! In graphic novel style, Mr. Lemelman recounts the history of the Jewish people during the time of the rebellions/Masada and the Judean date palm trees AND the discovery of its seeds in modern times and its potential in the medical field. The graphic novel style will appeal to reluctant readers. 

A wonderful marriage of history and science.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Alias Anna by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson interior and map art by Balbusso Twins*

 A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis

After Mr. Dawson's daughter Aimee wrote her grandmother a letter requesting her to tell her about life when she was thirteen for a school project, for the first time Mr. Dawson learned about his Jewish mother's extraordinary escape from the Nazi rule in Ukraine. Musically brillant, Zhanna and her sister Frina, assume alias names and play out the war years as pianist entertainers for Nazi miliary leaders and soldiers. The girls' grit is astounding. God is not mentioned (in the afterword it is mentioned the family was secular) but their miraculous survival only points to Him. While I read this novel, I listened to Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu, sheet music Zhanna kept with her during the years of "hiding" in plain sight.

 Told in verse interspersed with direct quotes from Zhanna. A lot of background information is available in the back, including lists of pieces the girls played, identification of poetry utilized, and field trip ideas.

*Highly recommend for junior high and older.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Peddler's Gift by Maxine Rose Schur illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root*

 Leibush loves when Shnook the peddler arrives in Korovenko. Unfortunately, the boys laugh at him more than with him. When Leibush spies a dreidel that Shnook was selling accidently left in their kitchen, he decides to "borrow" it. Overcome with guilt, he finds Shnook to return and learns some life lessons.

The illustrations allow the reader to peek into Jewish Russian history and culture.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.