Benji Zeb has a lot on his plate. He’s trying to prepare for his bar mitzvah, keep up with school, and help his family protect their kibbutz (which also happens to be a wolf sanctuary). Oh, and one more thing: Benji and his family are werewolves. When Caleb, the boy Benji used to have a crush on, suddenly shows up as a newly turned werewolf who can’t control his shifting, everything gets even more complicated. As pressures build at home and beyond, Benji must figure out how to manage his anxiety, his responsibilities, and his feelings — all while keeping a very big secret.
Benji Zeb Is a Ravenous Werewolf is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and received a starred review from the School Library Journal.
The PJ Our Way Book Selection Committee looks for stories that are fresh and engaging while offering meaningful connections to Jewish life. This book blends humor, fantasy, and real-life challenges with tons of kid appeal. As one PJ Our Way reader wrote, “The pacing in Benji Zeb was the best I’ve seen in a while. The emotions of the characters were so well written that I could literally feel them.”
This book is perfect for fans of Anya and the Dragon, Ring of Solomon, and Jordan and the Dreadful Golem. (Please note that the PJ Our Way team recommends this title for ages 10 and up).
May 4, 2026