Do you have an amateur detective at home? A profound puzzle solver? If your reader voraciously consumes mystery stories or loves the classics like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, grab one of these books for your next read. Each of these fascinating mysteries features Jewish protagonists, culture, and customs.
by Karen Pokras
It’s 1978, and 11-year-old Danny Wexler is the only Jewish boy in his blue-collar town. When he learns about the Bermuda Triangle just as a local child goes missing, Danny and his friends Frank and Nicholas set out to solve the mystery. Just as Danny is starting to learn the difference between imaginary threats and real dangers, a chemical explosion at the factory brings the community together and helps neighbors move beyond their suspicion and fear. This fast-paced story offers an age-appropriate and engaging story about the experience of being “othered,” and the anchoring power of friendship.
by David Grossman
Twelve-year-old David lives in Jerusalem. While volunteering at a home for the elderly he befriends 70-year-old photographer Heinrich Rosenthal. When an enemy of Mr. Rosenthal’s from before the war, known as ‘the Bully of Heidelberg’, accuses him of stealing a priceless painting and challenges him to an old-fashioned duel to the death, David must do some quick thinking to save his friend's life. This is a quirky mystery by one of Israel’s most celebrated authors, David Grossman.
by Denis Markell
When 13-year-old Danny Kantrowitz’s older brother finally goes to college, Danny can’t wait to move into the bigger bedroom. Unfortunately, his parents decide to rent the room out on AirHotel to make a little extra money to cover the cost of college. Soon, unexplained things start happening in the room, including sudden gusts of cold air, a strange face appearing at the window, and lights turning on in the middle of the night. Danny’s parents assume he’s just having a hard time adjusting to the new arrangements, but his best friends and their grandparents believe him and are determined to help him solve the mystery of the odd occurrences in the guest bedroom.
by Alex Paz-Goldman
Motti, the child of Holocaust survivors, lives in Israel in 1964. Fueled by news reports of double agents arrested in Egypt, he and his best friend let their imaginations run wild as they conjure up images of countless spies sneaking around their town. The story’s somber descriptions of survivors’ many struggles are deftly balanced by the lightness of the boys’ fast-paced and very funny spy-hunting adventures.
by Judy Press
Penina “Pinky” Bloom loves baseball, Chinese food, and solving mysteries. Follow along as she solves the mystery of a missing kiddush cup and a quiet shofar.
by Susan Ross
When seventh grader Charlie is assigned a family research project at school, she becomes fascinated by the story of her namesake, Charlotte (Lottie), the mysterious child prodigy violinist who disappeared from Hungary during the Holocaust. Charlie is an aspiring violinist too, and she’s inspired and more than a little intimidated by Lottie’s musical success. Highlighting a lovely generation-to-generation connection, Charlie reaches out to her beloved Nana Rose to learn more about her long-lost older sister. This sweet and poignant book offers a soft, age-appropriate look into pre-war life in Vienna and the personal family tragedies of the Holocaust through the eyes of a modern young teen. It is based on the true story of the author’s family.
by Emma Carlson Berne
11-year-old Maya isn’t looking forward to her first summer at sleepaway camp. She doesn’t like the heat or insects, and she’s scared of swimming. Things start looking up when Maya makes friends with Dani, but she’s not sure about bossy Yael. When the kiddush cup and candlesticks the girls need to lead Shabbat services are stolen, Maya and Dani team up to solve the mystery. They’re no closer to finding the culprit when Dani is accused of the theft! Can Maya discover who sabotaged Shabbat before Dani is sent home? And can she pass the swim test in time to go on the camp sleepover at Snake Island? This is a sweet story about the power of honesty, friendship, and teamwork.
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March 4, 2024