The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

My Body Can By Laura Gehl, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Claire Freeland   Buy at Bookshop.org This thoughtful book affirms that all bodies are beautiful no matter their size, shape, skin color, ability, gender, or any number of ways in which we are each unique. We see a child in a wheelchair, a nonbinary child, and a child in a hat who may have alopecia or have lost their hair due to chemotherapy. Children proclaim what their bodies can do – ride, climb, throw, spin, and so forth - in an inclusive way. The actions and the art move through the Jewish year and hence the seasons as well - for example "my body can spin" like a dreidel during the winter holiday of Hanukkah. What a joyful, multilayered experience! Laura Gehl’s rhyming text is energetic and fun. At the end, the author invites the reader to go back and identify each Jewish holiday depicted as well as other items, like a sc...

One Day: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Benjamin Phillips Candlewick Studio, 2025 Category: Picture Books (sophisticated picture book for mature readers) Reviewer: Jeanette Brod   Buy at Bookshop.org The picture book One Day uses its title to propel the reader on a journey through the brutality and unexpected humanity found in the experiences of French Jews during the Holocaust. The theme was chosen for acclaimed children’s literature author and authority Michael Rosen as part of the Holocaust Memorial Commemoration in 2022. He tells the story of a father and son through the voice of Eugene Handschuh, the son. The author’s family has a second-hand connection to the story of the Handschuh family. In the Author’s Note, Michael Rosen admits to taking some artistic license with the protagonist’s interviews and book. The story takes place roughly over the course of one year, from late 1942 to late 1943. Amazingly, the story is circular. The ...

The Incorruptibles by Lauren Magaziner Aladdin (imprint of Simon & Schuster), 2025 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Judy Ehrenstein   Buy at Bookshop.org Thirteen-year-old Fiora lives in Barrowburgh with her Uncle Randal, in a dystopian former United States. Sorcerers have taken over, controlling and terrorizing the town and beyond. Fiora's parents were brutally murdered and she is both enraged and deeply frightened of the Sorcerers and their powers. During an unfortunate meeting and subsequent battle with one, Fiora is rescued by Quinn, a member of the Incorruptibles, a rebel group working to defeat their cruel overlords. Taken to Inc Academy, their training school, Fiora begins to learn her own strengths, both physically and emotionally. Life at the school brings friendships, rivals, and a little romance. And also danger, with the book ending on a cliffhanger, leaving readers wanting more. Characters are diverse: skin color and hair texture is described, as are physical disa...

It's a Love/Skate Relationship by Carli J. Corson Harper (imprint of HarperCollins), 2025 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Sarah Blattner   Buy at Bookshop.org When Charlie Porter, a D1 college hockey hopeful, is bested by her anger off ice at the annual Winthrop, Vermont Hockey Cup, a throwdown in fisticuffs and all-out brawl damages the ice rink and gets Charlie in big trouble. Charlie is suspended from her team and from the Cranford Preparatory School for six months, because she violated the terms of her athletic scholarship. In the meantime, Charlie will attend her hockey team’s rival high school, Winthrop, working off the rink damages. But this rough ice is zambonied by Coach Geri Goldstein, figure skating coach, Olympic bronze medalist, and mother to Alexa Goldstein, a pairs skater. Coach Geri makes a deal with Charlie and the rink management. Instead of rink duty, Charlie will train with her daughter Alexa in preparation for regionals, because Alexa’s skating partner broke h...

Shira the Singing Puppy by Ilana R. Wieder, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Cindy Rivka Marshall   Buy at Bookshop.org We first meet the puppy, Shira, in a colorful garden with musical notes floating across the landscape. Shira - whose name appropriately means "song" in Hebrew - loves to sing and howl. The opening pages of nature imagery, with flowers, ladybugs, snail and bee, immediately conveys Shira’s joy in life. Each day of the week, the puppy tries to sing for her human family. But repeatedly, they say, “Hush and shush, Shira. Not today.” The children are doing homework or have music lessons. They are watching TV or have playdates. The puppy’s howls are not appreciated, but the reproach is gentle. The repetition of “sh” sounds in the refrain, “Hush and shush, Shira,” reminding one of comforting a baby. The book has an added layer of teaching the days of the week, with Shabbat and Havdalah a...

Scattergood by H.M. Bouwman Neal Porter Books (imprint of Holiday House), 2025 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Ellen Scolnic   Buy at Bookshop.org This historical novel takes place in 1941, as the United States prepares to enter World War II. Thirteen year old Peggy grapples with daily chores and farm life while her town welcomes refugees and her cousin and best friend is dying of leukemia. "Authentic" is the word that comes to mind when describing this book. Bouwman has a solid grasp of her teenage protagonist’s point of view. Dialogue rings true. Peg’s ideas and hopes are valid. She is rational and very talented in math, so she tries desperately to save her cousin’s life - or find a doctor who can care her. Peg’s ideas – ambushing a visiting professor or praying because that’s what some adults have said they are doing - seem like ideas a real teen would come up with. This book is beautifully written. Peg is a self-described nerd who enjoys playing chess with an elderly re...

Call Me Gebyanesh by Arlene Rosenfeld Schenker and Gebyanesh Addisu, illustrated by Chiara Fedele Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Lisa Trank   Buy at Bookshop.org Seven-year-old Gebyanesh, a young Ethiopian Jew, starts the new school year in Jerusalem, where her family has recently settled after escaping from persecution, famine, and civil war. When her teacher is unable to pronounce her name, she is instead assigned a new name - Rakhel. Gebyanesh/Rakhel experiences her new school as an outsider and with the exception of another student named Daria, she is not accepted by the other Israeli kids. She is mocked for her different food, her clothing, and the color of her skin. Gebyanesh hides her school experience from her family until her younger brother discovers her schoolwork with the name Rakhel on it. Gebyanesh's mother tells her to be proud of her name and where she comes from, showing Gebyanesh a family photo album th...

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor Delacorte Press (imprint of Random House Children's Books), 2025 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Sarah Blattner   Buy at Bookshop.org Wicked Darlings  opens with the main character, Noa Falk, relishing her newfound opportunity to bask in the spotlight, now that her older sister Leah no longer casts Noa in her shadow. Feeling like a monster for a sense of freedom, rather than the grief for her sister’s tragic death, Noa plans an epic party while her parents are away at a cousin’s bat mitzvah.  Throughout the novel, Noa carries guilt for not responding to Leah’s text message, an urgent cry for help with her journalism internship with the Gotham Sentinel, where Leah covered the lives of Manhattan’s socially elite. But journalism was always Noa’s thing, not Leah’s passion, and it’s just one more situation where Leah blocks Noa’s light. When Noa’s curiosity and sadness lead her to the family safe, she retrieves her sister’s cell phone and evid...

Eve and Adam Discover the World by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Karin Fisher-Golton   Buy at Bookshop.org   Author Leslie Kimmelman and illustrator Irina Avgustinovich, whose talents came together in 2023 for Eve and Adam and Their Very First Day , return with this sequel, Eve and Adam Discover the World . This story recounts Eve and Adam’s actions around the Tree of Knowledge and what follows. As in the first book, Eve is portrayed with a lively intellect. Here, her curiosity is emphasized, so the Tree of Knowledge is alluring. Adam is grateful and trusting, and God is portrayed with a kind-parent energy. Kimmelman shows Eve’s thought process as she is tempted by the snake, as well as all the characters’ interpretations of what results. Through these portrayals of good-intentioned but imperfect humans, Kimmelman deftly provides a safe and positive container for ...

Live Your Dream: The Story of a Jewish Basketball All-Star by Tamir Goodman, illustrated by Jim Madsen PJ Publishing, 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Suzanne Grossman Buy at Amazon.com Written by Tamir Goodman himself, this is the story of a real Jewish basketball hero. Tamir struggled to read all the way through high school until he was finally diagnosed with dyslexia. Despite this, he was able to master basketball, understanding what was happening on the court instantly and developing expert skills. As he had more success in the game, his father constantly reminded him to stay humble. Endless practice, teamwork, and always being respectful of the referee increased his outstanding performance. He became famous worldwide, but passed up many opportunities by always putting Shabbat observance first. Choosing Team Maccabee Tel Aviv’s offer of a spot, he could live fully as a Jew and a professional basketball player.  Tamir suffered many injuries while playing and was disappoin...

Jason Belongs: The Story of Jason Schachter McKinney by Audrey Ades and Jason Schachter McKinney, illustrated by Isabel Mu ñoz Kar-Ben Publishing (imprint of Lerner), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Doreen Robinson   Buy at Bookshop.org This is a beautiful true story that expresses the universal themes of embracing one’s identity and what it means to connect to your roots, no matter what other people say or think. It is especially relevant in a world where antisemitism is increasing and diversity equity and inclusion programs are decreasing. Jason Schachter McKinney is Jewish and Black. As a young boy, Jason attends a Jewish Day School. He is proud of his identity and loves to sing, pray, and celebrate Shabbat. Later, he faces doubts when people at school question his identity: can you be both Jewish and Black? Despite the rabbi and his teachers telling him that he does in fact belong, Jason disconnects. He leaves his Jewish school, stops going to synagogue, and stops carin...

Speechless Aron Nels Steinke Graphix (imprint of Scholastic), 2025 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Kathryn Hall   Buy at Bookshop.org   This middle grade graphic novel's main character is Mira Toledano-Stone who is hoping for a better year as she starts 6th grade at a new school. Her anxiety and selective mutism prevent her from speaking in school despite her best efforts. At home she is quite able to argue with her younger sister and parents. Chloe, Mira's best friend from preschool to second grade, is now popular but Mira has no friends and blames Chloe. Mira spends all her free time alone creating short stop-motion films. Mira's busy, loving parents do not seem to understand how much her anxiety is interfering with her life until her grades are affected. Then they eliminate her film making and start taking her to a therapist. Mira's mother had invited Mira's nemesis Chloe to live with them until the end of the school year as her family, has had to move to Montan...

D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. by Abby White Levine Querido, 2025 Category: Young Adult Reviewer: Jacqueline Jules   Buy at Bookshop.org D.J. Rosenblum idolizes her cousin Rachel. At her Bat Mitzvah, nine-year-old D.J. gives Rachel a necklace with a goat charm because in D.J.’s estimation, Rachel is the Greatest cousin Of All Time. Four years later, when Rachel dies by an apparent suicide, D.J. is devastated. She can’t accept that her beloved cousin would have taken her own life. D.J. is convinced, instead, that Rachel was murdered. It is a theory D.J. has the opportunity to pursue when her mom decides to relocate to Rachel's town in an effort to support her sister through the grieving process. Thus, the beginning of the novel feels like a murder mystery. D.J. and her mom move to Briar, Ohio, where Rachel’s parents and her little brother Davey still live. D.J. enrolls in middle school and begins her quest to prove that Rachel would not have harmed herself. Along the way, D.J....

Many Things at Once by Veera Hiranandani, illustrated by Nadia Alam Random House Studio (imprint of Penguin Random House), 2025 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Linda Elovitz Marshall   Buy at Bookshop.org In poignant language, Many Things At Once is the story of a young girl whose mother is Jewish, father is Hindu, and ancestors are from India, Poland, and Russia. The main character sometimes feels that she is part of every place. She sometimes feels that she is not part of any place. But, how can that be? She watches a butterfly, recalling that her teacher taught that each butterfly is different. Like the butterfly, she, too, is different. She watches the butterfly sip nectar. The butterfly is part of the big, beautiful world. She, too, is part of the big, beautiful world. Different from everyone, yet part of the whole. Sometimes large, sometimes small, sometimes like nothing...at all. She is many things at once, as we all are. Exquisite illustrations by Nadia Alam beautifully ...