A List of Books Perfect to Read During Jewish American Heritage and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Blue Butterfly of Cochin

Written by Ariana Mizrahi
Illustrated by Siona Benjamin

The Blue Butterfly of Cochin is the story of the ancient Jewish Indian community's mass immigration to Israel in the 1950s.

Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup

Written by Pamela Mayer
Illustrated by Deborah Melmon

Sophie has two Grandmas from two different cultures, and they each make their own kind of chicken soup -- and each soup is delicious! The more Sophie learns about those soups, the more she realizes how similar they actually are -- on many levels.

I am Hava: A Song's Story of Love, Hope & Joy

Written by Freda Lewkowicz
Illustrated by Siona Benjamin

Hava Nagila is a beloved song of celebration. In this creative tale, Hava tells the story of her life as a song, bringing joy to Jews all around the world.

Mixed-Up Mooncakes

Written by Christina Matula and Erica Lyons
Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Ruby celebrates two holidays with her family in autumn: Sukkot and the Mid-Autumn Festival. She comes up with an ingenious (and delicious) way to bring two traditions together, with a little help from Zayde and Nainai.

Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas

Written by Pamela Ehrenberg
Illustrated by Anjan Sarkar

Instead of latkes, this family celebrates Hanukkah with tasty Indian dosas. To her brother's chagrin, little Sadie won't stop climbing on everything both at home and at the Indian grocery store, even while preparing the dosas. As the family puts the finishing touches on their holiday preparations, they accidentally get locked out of the house. Sadie and her climbing skills just may be exactly what is needed to save the day.

Two New Years

Written by Richard Ho
Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

Lanterns, round challah, sweeping up, listening to the shofar — all are ways to welcome a new year! In this vibrantly illustrated book, a Chinese-Jewish family celebrates the joyful traditions of Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year.

Click Here to Start

by Denis Markell

Ted loves escape room video games, but this is real life! Can Ted and his friends solve the puzzle and stay one step ahead of the bad guys?

How to Find What You’re Not Looking For

by Veera Hiranandani

Ari would do anything for her big sister, Leah, including keeping her boyfriend, Raj, a secret from their parents. How could she have known it would change everything?

My Basmati Bat Mitzvah

by Paula J. Freedman

Tara Feinstein’s decision to celebrate her bat mitzvah is making her life really complicated. What would her beloved Nanaji say? Does she really believe in God? And why is her best friend Ben-o acting so weird around her?

Not Your All-American Girl

by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Madelyn Rosenberg

Recommended for ages 10 and up

Lauren is a talented singer who dreams of being on Star Search. She does a great audition for the school musical, All-American Town, and everyone thinks she should get the lead. But the teacher says Chinese-Jewish Lauren doesn’t look “American” enough for the role and gives it to Lauren’s best friend, Tara, relegating Lauren to the ensemble. Tension grows between the friends, and Lauren finds it difficult to continue in the play, but she finds solace in the music of Patsy Cline, plus a new button-making business. Eventually, the girls work together to make things right both on and off the stage.

A Place at the Table

by Laura Shovan and Saadia Faruqi

Recommended for ages 10 to 12

Elizabeth and Sara are both in 6th grade, and they’re both worried about their mothers — but the similarities end there. Can the two girls overcome their differences and agree on an award-winning recipe for their school’s International Food Festival?

This is Just a Test

by Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang

These are just a few of the things David is worried about:

1. Nuclear War
2. Forgetting to wear pants to school
3. Getting his leg chomped by a shark
4. Sneezing on Kelli Ann
5. His bar mitzvah speech

Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen

by Kate McGovern

Maple Mehta-Cohen has kept her big secret hidden from everyone for years. Now she’s been found out — and her whole life is about to change.

The Whole Story of Half a Girl

by Veera Hiranandani

"I am half Indian, half Jewish, and now I’m half a cheerleader!" When Sonia’s father loses his job, she must leave her beloved private community school and attend the local public school. Will she ever feel like she belongs?