Books with Jewish Characters

From fun picture books and fantasy to historical fiction, kid-friendly biographies, teen romance, and coming-of-age tales, these books reflect Jewish life, history, humor, culture, and values, as well as traditions like b'nai mitzvah and holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and Passover. For more stories of Jewish courage and perseverance, check out our lists of Books About the Holocaust, World War II Books for Kids, and Movies That Represent and Celebrate Jewish Heritage.

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All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah Poster Image
BOOK

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

age 3+

Little sister finds way to contribute in warm holiday story.

By: Emily Jenkins (2018)
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love Poster Image
BOOK

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love

age 4+

Knitting = love in this warm and fuzzy tale of kindness.

By: Michelle Edwards (2016)
book cover of the Keeping Quilt
BOOK

The Keeping Quilt

age 4+

Quilt keeps memories of home alive in heartwarming tale.

By: Patricia Polacco (1988)
book cover of Measuring a Year
BOOK

Measuring a Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story

age 4+

Intriguing holiday book asks, "How do you measure a year?"

Oskar and the Eight Blessings Poster Image
BOOK

Oskar and the Eight Blessings

age 4+

Exquisite Hanukkah story has universal blessings theme.

By: Richard Simon , Tanya Simon (2015)
Simon and the Bear Poster Image
BOOK

Simon and the Bear

age 4+

Polar bear, faith save boy in sweet Hanukkah miracle tale.

By: Eric A. Kimmel (2014)
cover of Star Stuff book
BOOK

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos

age 4+

Beautifully illustrated book introduces kids to Carl Sagan.

book cover of Tia Fortuna's New Home
BOOK

Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey

age 5+

Family memories ease the pain of moving in sweet tale.

By: Ruth Behar (2022)
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark Poster Image
BOOK

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark

age 6+

Inspiring bio of Supreme Court justice empowers girls.

By: Debbie Levy (2016)
Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued Poster Image
BOOK

Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued

age 6+

Inspiring true story of lifesaving hero and WWII refugees.

By: Peter Sis (2021)
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! Poster Image
BOOK

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!

age 6+

Inspiring intro to the baseball great's life.

By: Jonah Winter (2009)
No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Poster Image
BOOK

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

age 7+

Meaty bio of RBG shows how she fought for women's rights.

By: Kathleen Krull (2018)
All-of-a-Kind Family Series Poster Image
BOOK

All-of-a-Kind Family Series

age 8+

Loving stories of a large Jewish family in 1915 New York.

By: Sydney Taylor (1984)
The Einsteins of Vista Point book cover showing kids with flashlights looking at mysterious tower.
BOOK

The Einsteins of Vista Point

age 8+

Poignant adventure of loving family dealing with loss.

By: Ben Guterson (2022)
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster Poster Image
BOOK

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

age 8+

Haunting tale of friendship and magic in Victorian times.

By: Jonathan Auxier (2018)
Becoming Brianna: Emmie & Friends, Book 4 Poster Image
BOOK

Becoming Brianna: Emmie & Friends, Book 4

age 9+

Girl preps for her bat mitzvah in charming graphic novel.

By: Terri Libenson (2020)
A Faraway Island Poster Image
BOOK

A Faraway Island

age 9+

Moving story of Jewish sisters living as refugees in Sweden.

By: Annika Thor (2009)
Black Bird, Blue Road
BOOK

Black Bird, Blue Road

age 9+

Moving journey through ancient Jewish empire tackles grief.

By: Sofiya Pasternack (2022)
A girl with curly hair hovers over iconic sites of Barcelona
BOOK

Ellen Outside the Lines

age 9+

Touching story of girl with autism navigating change.

By: A. J. Sass (2022)
Linked Poster Image
BOOK

Linked

age 9+

Swastika in middle school launches complex, uneasy tale.

By: Gordon Korman (2021)