It’s the 100th anniversary of Jewish Book Month! For the past century, the month leading up to Hanukkah has been a special time to celebrate and share the work of Jewish authors and illustrators. This year PJ Library and the Jewish Book Council have teamed up to bring specially curated book lists from well-known authors to share with families. Today’s list comes from Arnon Shorr, author of Jose and the Pirate Captain Toledano, a PJ Our Way selection.
Written and illustrated by Brian Wildsmith
This was a longtime favorite in our house. My son asked us to read it so many times that pages started to fall out. It tells the Exodus story cleanly and clearly, with spectacular illustrations that beg for a closer look.
Written by Barry Deutsch
I am fond of this book because this ain’t your grandmother’s shtetl! Mirka is a cool hero who comes from a world where (a certain type of) Jewish life is a norm and not a liability. After a century of shtetl fiction that focuses on our poverty and victimhood, it’s great to get a much warmer, more loving (albeit fantastical) view of that world.
Written by Eric Kimmel
Let’s face it, this book is basically the OG of modern Jewish fantasy kidlit. The illustrations are stunning, the story compelling, and there’s something heartfelt and authentic that binds it all together. If you like a good, spooky, gothic horror story, this is the book for you.
Written by Etan Basseri
Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
This book won a place on my list because it’s just so joyful! I happen to know Etan Basseri, and I was excited to get my hands on a copy. I didn’t have a chance to read it before the kids got their hands on it and asked my wife to read it to them. So instead of reading it, I got to listen to it — the old-fashioned way. And there was such joy, such sweetness in every word and illustration of this tale, I couldn’t help but smile.
Written by Jonathan Auxier
If you like stories about lonely kids with unusual friends (like E.T., for example), you will love Sweep. A well-told tale of magic and discovery, it’s also a great reimagining of the golem as a companion, an “imaginary friend” made real. The writing is beautiful, the story engrossing.
About the Author
Arnon is a writer/director and author of character-driven adventures and thrillers, where heroes grapple with the extraordinary, and in doing so, learn important truths about themselves. His films have captivated audiences around the globe, and his award-winning screenplays have been optioned by producers in the US and abroad. Three years ago, Arnon expanded his visual narrative range with the successful release of his first graphic novel, José and the Pirate Captain Toledano (a PJ Our Way selection for April 2022). Arnon writes and develops his films, screenplays, and comics in a small town outside of Boston, though you’ll often find him in Los Angeles, taking meetings and soaking up the sun. Arnon has a wife, three children, a dog, a cat, and a lot more stories to tell.
More
Explore Jewish Cultural Diversity with Kids Through Delicious Food and Captivating Stories
How PJ Library Chooses Books
Jose and the Pirate Captain Toledano Parent Guide
November 13, 2025