Review: Across the Jewniverse

Across the Jewniverse: 180 Totally Random Jewish Facts

by Kerry Olitzky and Deborah Bodin Cohen

Apples & Honey Press (imprint of Behrman House), 2025

Category: Middle Grade

Reviewer: Stacy Nockowitz

 

Buy at Bookshop.org

The newest nonfiction book from Kerry Olitzky and Deborah Boden Cohen, Across the Jewniverse, gives middle grade readers “180 totally random facts” about Jewish culture, people, geography, and history. And, boy, do the authors deliver on the random facts! Each spread offers several sometimes loosely-, sometimes closely-related tidbits of information. In one spread, for example, readers learn about the flavor of Moroccan challah, the length of the world’s longest challah, and fact that Ugandan challah is baked in banana leaves. Across the Jewniverse is a feast for the eyes, loaded with bold graphics and playful juxtaposition of photos and text. Brightly colored text boxes are layered over modern stock images and historical photos. Taken all together, the book is a lively, kid-centered mash up of The Everything Judaism Book with the Guinness Book of World Records.

Both Jewish and non-Jewish readers will enjoy this delightful jumble of Jewish accomplishments and traditions. The facts may be random, but the Jewish rep in Across the Jewniverse is on point. Touching on everything from Ashkenazi athletes to Sephardic food, from Jews in Ethiopia to Jews in New York City, Olitzky and Boden Cohen’s book is a celebration of Jewish life across time and across the world.

 

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Reviewer Stacy Nockowitz is a retired middle school librarian and former language arts teacher with 30+ years of experience in middle grade education. She holds Master's Degrees from Columbia University, Kent State University, and Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her debut middle grade novel, The Prince of Steel Pier (Kar-Ben), won the 2022 National Jewish Book Award for Middle Grade Literature and was named a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book for 2023. Stacy has spoken at education and writing conferences all over the country, including as the Keynote Speaker for the Garden State Book Awards in 2024. Visit her at www.stacynockowitz.com.