15 Books to Enhance Jewish Representation on Your Classroom Shelves

As I reviewed the books in my classroom library, I noticed that nearly all of the titles by Jewish authors or featuring Jewish protagonists focused on the Holocaust. Similarly, a teacher of younger grades might find that their collection predominantly centers on Jewish holidays. Since recognizing this gap, I have been working to broaden the representation of Jewish experiences in my library.

Below is a selection of books by Jewish authors, recommended by middle and high school ELA teachers, that you can add to your classroom library. Click on the Instagram handle of the person recommending the book to view their account.

1. Alma Presses Play by Tina Cane

Recommended by @secondaryurbanlegends

2. Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit

Recommended by @theliterarymaven

3. Color Me In by Natasha E. Diaz

Recommended by @bravenewteaching

4. Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moscovitz

Recommended by @smithteaches9to12

5. Recommended for You by Laura Silverman

Recommended by @literarysherri

6. Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein

Recommended by @mrsmcmanusela

7. Nicky and Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued by Peter Sis 

Recommended by @hansonhallway

8. The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

Recommended by @whimsyandrigor

9. Eight Dates and Nights by Betsy Aldredge

Recommended by @thenextgenlibrarian

10. My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J Freedman

Recommended by @wendiewonders

11. The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum

Recommended by @samanthainsecondary

12. We Ship It by Lauren Kay

Recommended by @lauralee_moss

13. Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Recommended by @Booksbabblesbows

14. Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Recommended by @Kgj4k4

15. Recipe for Disaster by Aimee Lucido

Recommended by @diversebooksgiveaway