Scientists, Explorers, and Scholars: Jewish Heroes Who Changed the World

Nothing Could Stop Her: The Courageous Life of Ruth Gruber

Written by Rona Arato and published by Kar-Ben

Which of these is true about the amazing Ruth Gruber?

• She hitchhiked alone to college because she couldn’t afford the ride.
• She became the youngest person in the world to get a PhD.
• She was the first foreign journalist to travel in Siberia.
• She lived to 105.

Read this awesome biography to learn the answer!

On a Beam of Light

Written by written by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky, is published by Chronicle Books

Long before Einstein was a household name, he was just a boy -- a boy with a powerful imagination. This story of a Jewish hero underscores the potential each person’s creative mind holds.

The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine

Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Lisa Anchin, and published by Penguin Random House

Polio was once a very common disease -- and a very scary one. Young Jonas Salk decided he wanted to figure out a way to help. Through hard work, perseverance, and the scientific method, he and his team led the way to a groundbreaking vaccine that helped in the project of tikkun olam, repairing the world -- one injection at a time.

The Miracle Seed*

Written and illustrated by Martin Lemelman and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co

The Judean date palm withered into extinction after the Jewish exile from Israel. Centuries later, archeologists discovered seeds of the prized plant in the ruins of the Masada fortress, the last stronghold of Jewish rebellion against the Roman Empire. Can Dr. Sarah Sallon and Dr. Elaine Solowey bring these long-gone trees back to life?

 * One of the figures in this story, botanist Dr. Elaine Solowey, is from California which is why the book is included here.

Space Torah: Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman's Cosmic Mitzvah

Written by Rachelle Burk, illustrated by Craig Orback, and published by Intergalactic Afikoman

Jeff took his first ride into space on the shuttle Discovery in 1985. Over five trips, he spent more than 1,200 hours in space. On his last mission, he took on an extra special job — to bring a Torah into space.