16 Titles To Expand Jewish Representation in your Classroom Library

After scanning the shelves of my classroom library, I realized that almost all of the books by Jewish authors or featuring Jewish protagonists were connected to the Holocaust (similarly, a lower grades teacher might find that their books are all connected to the Jewish holidays). Since that realization, I have been working to expand the representation of Jewish experiences in my classroom library.

Below you'll find books by Jewish authors, recommended by middle and high school ELA teachers, for you to feature in your classroom library. Click on the Instagram handle of the person recommending the book to read their recommendation.

1. Refugee by Alan Gratz

Recommended by @secondaryurbanlegends

2. A Place At The Table by Laura Shovan and Saadia Faruqi

Recommended by @theliterarymaven

3. Becoming Brianna by Terri Libenson

Recommended by @loveteachbless

4. Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

Recommended by @hansonhallway

5. Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moscowitz

Recommended by @exceptionalela 

6. Color Me In by Natasha Diaz

Recommended by @hoorayela

7. It’s My Party and I Don’t Want to Go by Amanda Panitch

Recommended by @msgliddengetsyougoing

8. Rebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufmann

Recommended by @mrsspanglerinthemiddle

9. Once by Morris Gleitzman

Recommended by @erinbeers

10. It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories

Recommended by @literarysherri

11. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

Recommended by @makingmeaningwithmelissa

12. Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Recommended by @mr_lyon_4th

13. Hope and Other Punchlines by Julie Buxbaum

Recommended by @OCBeachTeacher 

14. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman

Recommended by @thesparklynotebook

15. Mitzvah Pizza by Sarah Lynn Scheerger

Recommended by @alauerman 

16. How to Find What You're Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

Recommended by @diversebooksgiveaway