Summer Reading Bag

By RuthE Levy

Wherever you go this summer, make sure you put something Jewcy in your reading bag. Here are some great books broken down by age group.

Babes

“3 Falafels in My Pita” is a new count-through-Israel book that introduces young ones to the sights of Israel.
“That’s a Mitzvah” introduces a variety of mitzvot through familiar nursery rhymes. Charming!

Young Children

“Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel” creates summer fun with a new twist on an old story.
In “Sadie, Ori, and Nuggles Go to Camp,” Ori wants to go to camp, but he wants to take Nuggles with him.
In “The Zoo Box,” the kids find a mysterious box that says, “Do not open.” Surprise!
“On a Beam of Light” presents Albert Einstein in a new light: as speech-delayed and ADD but with a fabulous imagination. People with challenges can achieve great things. For ages 6 and up.
“Who’s That Sleeping on My Sofabed?” is by Jewish Atlanta community member Ruby Grossblatt. Yoni’s parents just bought a comfortable sofa bed, but every night a different guest is sleeping in it. For ages 4 to 7.
In “The Mystery of the Overturned Inkwell,” a rabbi uses a little trick to show the king a better understanding of creation. For ages 6 to 10.
In “Cam Jansen and the Summer Camp Mysteries,” Cam and Eric are spending three weeks at Camp Eagle Lake doing the usual: crafts, sports and mystery solving. For ages 7 to 10.

Tweens

“Secrets at Camp Nokomis” is an American Girl mystery. When camp pranks get out of hand, Rebecca finds out what is happening at the camp. For ages 8 to 10.
In “Friends Forever,” Hannah is suddenly transported across time. She and Abigail have fun, but how will Hannah get back? For ages 8 to 14.
“Screaming at the Ump” has Casey living with Dad and Grandpa at Umpire Camp, making him the youngest ump ever. For ages 10 to 14.
“The Mysterious Shoebox” is a collection of stories for all the holidays, including Shavuot and the month of Av. For ages 9 to 12.

“That’s a Mitzvah” introduces a variety of mitzvot through familiar nursery rhymes.
“Twerp” shows Julian, a good kid, in trouble. His deal with his English teacher is to write about the incident. He keeps a journal, but he can’t bring himself to tell the story. For ages 9 to 12.

Teen Scene

“The Zig Zag Kid” turns Nonny’s bar mitzvah year trip turn into an amazing adventure in a witty and humorous story. For teenagers and adults.
In “The Man Who Flies With Birds,” when Israeli planes collide with birds, ornithologist Yossi Leshem finds a way to save the pilots, the planes and the birds. For ages 10 and up.
“The Bomb” tells a spy thriller of the plotting, risk taking, deceit and genius that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. For ages 10 to 14.
“How to Ruin a Summer Vacation” shows that sometimes Israel isn’t the ideal trip. Going there with her estranged father is not exactly Amy’s idea of a summer vacation. Goodbye, American comforts, and hello, goats. For ages 12 and up.
“My Family for the War” takes 10-year-old Franziska away from her family when she is sent to strangers on the Kindertransport. What will happen when they are reunited? For ages 12 and up.
“Better Than a Lemonade Stand!” offers 55 small-business ideas and how-tos because it wouldn’t be summer without a lemonade stand. For ages 10 and up.

Adults

“Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero” tells the story of Superman’s creation. It’s a tale full of action and adventure, heroes and villains.
“Victory Season” covers the pivotal year of 1946, when we were welcoming soldiers back to baseball and making way for social change.
“Karski: How One Man Tried to Stop the Holocaust” is a spy thriller and a story of moral courage.
“Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah” teaches about Rabbi Solomon Schechter’s discovery of the largest treasure of damaged Jewish manuscripts in history, some over 1,000 years old.
“Women of Valor: Polish Resisters to the Third Reich” highlights four women who took incredible risks to fight Nazis.
“Ben & Jerry’s: The Inside Scoop” explores how two real guys built a business with social conscience and humor. What’s summer without ice cream?

Find all of these summer treats and others among the thousands of titles at your friendly Jewish bookstore in Roswell, And Thou Shalt Read, or visit www.AndThouShaltRead.com.

RuthE Levy is the owner of And Thou Shalt Read.

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