Suggested Reading for Children

Primary - Elementary

AVRAM'S GIFT by Marji Blumberg.

An easy to read and attractively illustrated chapter book with strong Jewish values and a likable hero who learns to sound the shofar.

DAYS OF AWE: STORIES FOR ROSH HASHANAH AND YOM KIPPUR by Eric A. Kimmel.

Puffin Books, 1991. Stories about the meaning of the High Holy Days, adapted from traditional sources.

EVEN HIGHER by Richard Ungar.

Reuven is put up to spying on the rabbi by his friends in this picture book retelling of "If Not Higher" by I. L. Peretz. They want to know if the rabbi really goes to heaven to plead for the village of Nemirov on the day before Rosh Hashanah as people say. Having witnessed the rabbi's acts of kindness towards someone in dire need, Reuven answers, "Even higher."

GERSHON'S MONSTER: A STORY FOR THE JEWISH NEW YEAR by Eric A. Kimmel.

A Hasidic legend retold in sparkling language and pictures. Winner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award.

THE SECRET SHOFAR OF BARCELONA by Jacqueline Dembar Greene

Tells the story of Don Fernando and his son, Rafael, who conspire to blow the shofar in Inquisition Spain.

THE UNINVITED GUEST AND OTHER JEWISH HOLIDAY TALES by Nina Jaffe.

Stories for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur begin this wonderful collection of holiday stories. Winner of a Sydney Taylor Book Award.

WHEN THE CHICKENS WENT ON STRIKE by Erica Silverman.

Based on a story by Sholom Aleichem, this shows a mischievous boy drawn into a dispute between the village poultry and the villagers themselves. Funny and wise.