Fans of historical YA fiction, particularly fans of WWII-based fiction, have no shortage of potential great reads in the Library’s collections. Perspectives from WWII run the gamut of teenage experiences from those war years. Something notable about books starring Jewish protagonists, at least the ones that become well known, win awards, and make it to essential reading lists, overwhelmingly take place during the Holocaust. You’ll get no argument from me that Holocaust stories are important. In fact, they are essential! And, so is representation of the common lives and great diversity among contemporary Jewish teenagers, stories which earn much less attention and readership. Whether stories are based in Judaism and its traditions, secular, or casually representative of Jewish culture, stories told against a backdrop of today’s world are equally essential for both Jewish and non-Jewish readers. Here is a list of Non-Holocaust Jewish stories available for checkout at the Library:
Camp, by L. C. Rosen
In the Neighborhood of True, by Susan Kaplan Carlton
Mooncakes, by Suzanne Walker
Little & Lion, by Brandy Colbert
Someday We Will Fly, by Rachel DeWoskin
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Hope and Other Punchlines, by Julie Buxbaum
Sick Kids in Love, by Hannah Moskowitz
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For, by Veera Hiranandani
Yes No Maybe So, by Becky Albertalli & Aisha Saeed
Miss You, Love You, Hate You, Bye, by Abby Sher
What I Like About You, by Marisa Kanter
Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me, by Gae Polisner
Today Tonight Tomorrow, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
They Wish They Were Us, by Jessica Goodman
Kissing in America, by Margo Rabb
May is Jewish American Heritage Month.
Learn more at jewishheritagemonth.gov/.
