This warmly illustrated, poetic book parallels the experiences of a young boy at a Passover seder and a small white kitten outdoors. When the boy opens the door to welcome the prophet Elijah, he finds a furry friend instead. Simple text, diverse characters, and a timeless feel make this a story to be treasured. (Sydney Taylor Book Picture Book Winner)

Will’s bar mitzvah service project helps him face challenges in his own life in this engaging story by a debut author. Bullied at school and a loner, turtle-loving Will completes a bucket list of milestone activities for a terminally ill boy and gains the strength to face his own upcoming surgery. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Book Award)

This debut memoir in graphic form is a funny, sad, confidently illustrated meditation on grief. It’s both a tribute to Tyler’s wonderful mom, who died of breast cancer at the age of 47, and a guide to Jewish mourning practices. A singular achievement. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Book Award)

Clear instructions on how to do different yoga poses are complemented by brief, boldly illustrated stories from the Bible. Back matter includes reflection on yoga practice and a discussion of “What’s Jewish about yoga?” (Sydney Taylor Honor Picture Book)

The poetic tale of young Miriam placing baby Moses in the river is strikingly and vividly illustrated in palettes of blues, oranges, and purples. (Sydney Taylor Picture Book Honor Book)

In 1986, Valentina and Oksana flee the meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In 1941, Rifka finds refuge while escaping the Nazis. Blackman masterfully merges the timelines of these two stories in this compelling work of historical fiction. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Honor Book)

Miriam and her new friend Kate concoct a “miracle” in order to attract visitors to Miriam’s family’s small town motel in this story about community, interfaith understanding, making a home, and keeping up Jewish traditions. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Honor Book)

In this sequel to her 2020 Sydney Taylor Honor book, Anya and the Dragon, Anya and her friends travel to Kiev and encounter the mythical Nightingale. Vivid descriptions of tenth-century Russia, a memorable Shabbat dinner, and an exciting rescue highlight this wonderful fantasy. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Honor Book)

A historical mystery with an unreliable narrator, this post-war page-turner is set primarily in a displaced persons camp. It tells the story of Zofia, desperately searching for her little brother Abek...and the possibility of a life after trauma. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Honor Book)

The eight knights of Hanukkah are charged by Lady Sadie to go out and perform “deeds of awesome kindness and stupendous bravery” before the Hanukkah celebration that evening. A little silly and very sweet, this punny title is a wonderful story of performing mitzvot for others and celebrating Hanukkah. (Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book)

Brightly illustrated, this is the timely true story of a young Jewish boy who grew up to be a chemist who helped eradicate polio. Author’s note and sources included. (Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book)

Max and Rachel have just moved to a new apartment, but they can’t find any of their Hanukkah stuff. With help from their new neighbors, they do their best to celebrate, even though “it didn’t feel quite like Hanukkah.” On the ninth night, they decide to celebrate “shamash night,” thanking all the helpers in their building. (Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book)

On the eve of WWII, Esther describes her journey from Poland to Cuba, where everything from the people to the climate are foreign to her. A heartwarming and satisfying immigrant narrative that brings a lesser known Jewish community to light. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Notable Book)

Pakistani Muslim Sara and British-Jewish Elizabeth meet in a school cooking class where they gradually navigate friendship, family problems, and fitting in. A delicious blend of serious themes (racism, mental illness, financial insecurity) and classic sixth-grade angst, told in vivid alternating voices. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Notable Book)

Hopkinson weaves together primary sources —memoirs, interviews, and photographs —to piece together the accounts of 21 children and teens who were saved from the Nazis via the Kindertransport in this meticulously researched World War II nonfiction book. Back matter includes a timeline, additional resources, source notes, and an index. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Notable Book)

A follow-up to the Sydney Taylor Honor book Six-Day Hero, this tense narrative describes the 1973 Yom Kippur War from the point of view of a twelve-year old boy living in the Golan. (Sydney Taylor Notable Middle Grade Book)

A guide to queer activism and collective responsibility, Eli’s clear and concise call to action is filled with autobiographical Jewish reflections and teachings. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Notable Book)

A dark and spooky journey from the world of the shtetl into the underworld of Jewish demons...and back again. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Notable Book)

In one wild 24-hour period, high school rivals Rowan and Neil go on a scavenger hunt throughout Seattle and (spoiler alert) fall in love. A sweet, funny, Jewishly inflected romp. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Notable Book)

Based on a true incident, a high school teacher assigns students to argue in favor of the Final Solution. Two students fight back, and the resulting schism rocks the school and community. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Notable Book)

In Washington, D.C. during the Great Depression, Muriel invites a ragged juggler to celebrate Passover with her family. When he arrives, they are stunned to discover a magnificent feast to share with their neighbors. Based on I. L. Peretz’s “The Magician” and illustrated in the style of Marc Chagall, Kusel’s debut picture book will resonate with readers young and old. (Sydney Taylor Picture Book Award Winner)

Realizing that Nazis would soon invade Czechoslovakia, British banker Nicky Winton sponsors eight trains in 1939 that rescue 669 children from Prague, including 10-year-old Vera Diamantova. With creatively placed texts and intricate art that includes unique perspectives, fanciful figures, and personified countries, Sís reminds readers that even humble men can accomplish acts of heroism. (Sydney Taylor Picture Book Honor)

Eliza Davis writes to Charles Dickens expressing her concern about the villainous Fagin. She eventually convinces Dickens that his portrayal of Jewish characters emboldens “a vile prejudice,” resulting in revisions to Oliver Twist and the famous writer’s subsequent support of England’s Jewish community. Charming illustrations accompany this graceful testament to speaking out against injustice. ( Sydney Taylor Picture Book Honor)

One Christmas Eve, Al Rosen takes over a Christian friend’s job. For the next 30-plus years, Al repeats this holiday mitzvah, starting a tradition of helping people of other faiths. Based on a true story, this feel-good narrative, with bright, humorous illustrations, shows how one person’s actions can inspire others to perform good deeds. (Picture Book Honor)

In a neighborhood of houses decorated Red and Green, Isaac’s shines Blue and White. After someone throws a stone through their window, the family continues to light their menorah and is gratified to see the community take a stand against bigotry. Zelinsky’s digital art features cheerful, light-filled interiors set against dark backgrounds. Based on an actual incident. (Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book)

Queen Esther’s courage to act and save her people inspired Henrietta Szold to aid American immigrants and ensure healthcare to millions by founding Hadassah. Read about Szold’s incredible drive to help others throughout her life in this outstanding picture book biography. (Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book)

Illustrated in a style paying homage to Ben Shahn, this biography of the Lithuanian-born, American artist tells the story of a determined man who experienced and observed oppression and pain, and used his art as a way to help people in their search for justice and peace. (Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book)

It's 1967, and Ariel Goldberg is trying to cope with her older sister’s elopement with a man from India and estrangement from the family, the financial troubles of their family-owned bakery, and her own struggles at school. Narrated in the second person, Hiranandani perfectly captures this turbulent period in history through the lens of a sympathetic and compelling preteen girl. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Winner)

Yelchin recounts his 1960s Leningrad childhood, when his entire family lived in a small room next to a KGB informer. Eugene finds comfort in drawing on the underside of Grandma’s table in this humorous, yet understated narrative that combines Soviet and Cold War history, droll black-and-white sketches, and a vivid depiction of life for Soviet Jews. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Honor)

When a swastika appears in a small-town middle school, the students counter antisemitism by creating a paper chain in memory of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. A social media instigator stirs up trouble, one boy learns about his Jewish ancestry, and archaeologists digging nearby make a startling discovery. Told from multiple perspectives, this book is entertaining and insightful. (Sydney Taylor Middle Grade Honor)