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Middle Grade Book Spotlight--Books Featuring Jewish Characters!!!

Our Middle Grade book spotlight this week is focused on books that feature Jewish characters!  Many times, Jewish characters seem limited to just World War II fiction books but that is not the case and we are taking a look at some titles that are anything but that time period.  We have a mix of historical and realistic (and some are a little intense--just be warned!) fiction as well as some graphic novels this week and I can promise you that they are amazing!!!  These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthjewishcharacters as well as on Libby and Hoopla.  Check back next week for a new Middle Grade book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!

Hereville: How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch--Still wielding her sword from "How Mirka Got Her Sword" (2010), plucky Mirka, the only Orthodox Jewish girl in town, finds her life complicated by her stepmother and a flaming meteorite. After a troll fires the meteor at a witch's house, the witch uses her powers to transform the whirling rock into Mirka's twin. Mirka is excited about the possibilities of her fiery sidekick, but when it begins to take over her life, Mirka is determined to show the meteor who's in control.

Becoming Brianna by Terri Libenson--Brianna doesn't know why she did it--she agreed to have a bat mitzvah for herself at the request of her mother. Now she has to not only learn a new language, organize a party, and give a speech in front of all sorts of people, she also has to juggle new drama at school and at home as well.

Finding the Worm by Mark Goldblatt--In 1970 Queens, New York, Julian Twerski, now in seventh grade, struggles to write an essay as punishment for an act he did not commit, worries about Beverly, the girl he likes, prepares for his bar mitzvah, and tries to cope with the serious illness of one of his closest friends, Quentin.

All Three Stooges by Eric S. Perl--Seventh grader Noah Cohen and his best friend, Dash, are obsessed with comedy. When Dash's father dies suddenly and Dash shuts Noah out, Noah's confusion, frustration, and determination to reach Dash threatens to destroy their friendship. Noah turns to comedy to try and salvage his friendship and make sense of the grief that is affecting everyone he loves.

Quake! by Gail Langer Karwoski--Jacob's uncle gives him a dog, but Mr. Kaufman says he must be returned in the morning. That night, the dog is restless and wakes everyone early, so Jacob takes it for a walk. While outside, the earth begins to shake and repeatedly the dog pushes Jacob out of the way of danger. Jacob teams up with a Chinese boy named San and together they search for missing family members.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar--Just as fifth-grader Ruthie feels like she's settling into her new world—she's even earned a reputation for being the "hopscotch queen" of her neighborhood—she's terribly injured in a car accident. Confined to her bed in a body cast for nearly a year, Ruthie struggles with her loneliness, but finds strength within herself as she heals.