Preschool-Grade 3 | Grades 4-12 | Other Lists | Home
This bibliography includes books that have been published
in
the last five years and are available at the
Natrona County Public Library.
Hughes, S. (1999) The Lion and the Unicorn NY: DK.
Lenny, a Jewish boy, is evacuated to a mansion in the country because of the Blitz
in London. He must be brave while he waits for his mother. The story describes air
raids, bombed buildings and bedwetting. Illustrated with dark, detailed watercolors
that have a period look. Level: 2-6
Kimmel, E.A. (2001) Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night NY: Random.
Two devils play tricks on everyone in town except the rabbi, who outsmarts them.
This is a traditional teaching story about good and evil with old-fashioned-looking,
brown-toned acrylic illustrations by Jon Goodell. Level: 1-6
Machlin, M. (1999) My Name is Not Gussie NY: Houghton Mifflin.
Golda, Gussie and her family emigrate from Russia to America in the early 20th century.
This excellent description of crossing in steerage, Ellis Island and tenements in
New York City is based on family stories. The good and the bad are mixed in
each page-long adventure. Illustrated with sketchy watercolors. Level: 3-6
Polacco, P. (2002) Christmas Tapestry NY: Philomel.
Jonathan and his family move to Detroit to rebuild a church. A wall is ruined right before
Christmas, but Jonathan and his father find an old tapestry to cover it. An old Jewish woman
is shocked to see the tapestry and so is the plasterer who will repair the wall. This
leads to a real miracle. The characters are made more alive by Polacco’s detailed pencil
and watercolor illustrations. Level: 1-6
Wells, R. (1999) Streets of Gold NY: Dial.
Mary Antin and her family fled Russia in 1894. The book she wrote about her experiences was
the basis for this book. Old-fashioned, brown-toned oil paintings by Dan Andreasen
give a strong sense of setting. Level: 2-6
Preschool-Grade 3 | Grades 4-12 |
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Bitton-Jackson, L. (1999) My Bridges of Hope NY: Simon & Schuster.
In 1945, after surviving a year in Auschwitz, 14-year-old Elli, her mother and brother return to
the family home. The anti-Semitism forces them to immigrate to America. Elli returns
to Europe to try and help other Holocaust survivors. Excellently written sequel to I
Have Lived a Thousand Years. Level: 7-12, 258p.
Goldin, B.D. (1999) Journeys with Elijah NY: Harcourt Brace.
Eight stories about the prophet Elijah appearing to Jews in different parts of the
world. Morals about being kind to others. Beautiful watercolors by Jerry Pinkney add
cultural pieces to the stories. Level: 3-8, 77p.
Isaacs. A. (2000) Torn Thread NY: Scholastic.
Eva is sent to a work camp textile factory in Czechoslovakia. She and her sister manage
to keep each other alive for two years. Level: 7-12, 186p.
Levine, G.C. (1999) Dave at Night NY: HarperCollins.
Orphaned Dave is sent to the Hebrew Home for Boys, where he gets in trouble. He
sneaks out at night and becomes part of the music and culture of the Harlem
Renaissance. Much about New York City. Level: 4-8, 281p.
Levitin, S. (1999) The Cure Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace.
A boy from the future, who doesn't conform, is sent back to 1348 Germany, at the onset
of the Black Death. He suffers the persecution of the Jews to make him conform. He learns
about love, hate and fear. An excellent description of anti-Semitism and prejudice.
Level: 8-12, 183p.
Mazer, N.F. (1999) Good Night, Maman NY: Harcourt Brace.
Karin's father is dead, and her maman is ill. She and her brother must flee. They get
on a Navy ship, which takes them to the only refugee camp in the U.S., Fort Ontario at
Oswego, NY. This camp really existed. Level: 7-12, 185p.
Opdyke, I.G. (1999) In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer NY: Knopf.
Irene was a Polish Christian who helped the resistance with information and food
stolen from the Nazis. She hid twelve Jews in the basement of a Nazi major's home.
Her story is part of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. Level: 7-12, 276p.
Propp, V. (1999) When the Soldiers Were Gone NY: Putnam.
Henk has to leave with strangers. They are the parents he doesn't remember because
he has been in hiding. Based on a boy that was hidden from 1942 through 1945. Excellent
description of what the Jews lost. Level: 4-8, 101p.
Rocklin, J. (1999) Strudel Stories NY: Delacorte.
Family stories are told to the children as the strudel is made. Three different kitchens:
one in Russia, one with new immigrants, and one with a young American boy share
the stories and the recipe (included). Excellent Jewish history woven throughout.
Level: 5-12, 130p.
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This page was updated January, 2004.
