NEWS & INTERVIEWS
From The Horn Book: “Shana tovah! 2026/5787,” a holiday greeting composed of recent Jewish children’s and young adult books.
From School Library Journal: “2 Lovely Picture Books About Sukkot for Holiday Shelves” featuring reviews of A House with No Door by Amy Fellner Dominy and Our Spectacular Sukkah by Sidura Ludwig.
From Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association: “What’s Nu? Jewish Children’s and Young Adult Books Fall/Winter Preview” webinar with librarians Sally Stieglitz, Rebecca Levitan and The Jewish Book Garden’s co-founder Susan Kusel.
From Publisher’s Weekly: World Kid Lit Month 2026: “Finding Timely Themes in a 1930s Yiddish Tale,” an essay by professor of Yiddish literature and culture at Emory University, and translator of Labzik: Tales of a Clever Pup, Miriam Udel.
From Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education: “We’re Serious About Jewish Joy” podcast interview with Suzy Ultman and Amanda Kingloff, co-authors of The Art of Jewish Joy.
From The Horn Book: “The Writer’s Page: I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This” essay by Eugene Yelchin.
STARRED REVIEWS
★ From School Library Journal: How to Walk a Dog (middle grade) by Joanne Levy, Union Square Kids, 2026.
★ From Publishers Weekly: I Paint My World by Esther Novak, illustrated by Susan Gal, Apples & Honey Press, 2026.
★ From Kirkus Reviews: No Ungapatchka! by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Yaara Eshet, Owlkids Books, 2026.
★ From Kirkus Reviews: Golem, Golem, Golem (Or, How Chanukah Was Saved) by Richard Ho, illustrated by Carmel Ben Ami, Roaring Brook Press, 2026.
BOOK DEALS
Princess of the Shtetl (middle grade) by Jake Arlow, has been acquired by Ellen Cormier at Dial Books for Young Readers, forthcoming in spring 2027. The two-book deal was done by Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
Hanukkah Wishing (board book) by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, illustrated by Amanda Morrow has been acquired by Katie Heit at Orchard Books, forthcoming in fall 2027. The author was represented by Ritu Anand at D4EO Literary Agency, and the illustrator was represented by Sarah Brouillard at the Bright Agency.
Ring Sense (middle grade) by Chris Baron has been acquired by Matt Phipps at Putman, forthcoming in summer 2028. The deal was brokered by Rena Rossner when she was at the Deborah Harris Agency.
At the Summer Games (picture book) by Lisa Cloherty, illustrated by Cassidy Wasserman has been acquired by Naomi Shulman at PJ Publishing, forthcoming in summer 2028. The author represented herself and the illustrator was represented by Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency.
Jews in the News is a new monthly feature.
Got more Jewish kidlit news to share? Comment below!
This is a great idea! Lots of interesting news I never would have known about. Bravo, Heidi!
This is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing all this incredible news!