Stories that Whisk You Away!

Books of Wonder is so excited to be hosting an incredible group of Jewish middle grade authors and their brilliant books to celebrate Jewish Heritage Month! Join us in-store to hear from GAYLE FORMAN, author of Not Nothing, ADAM GIDWITZ, author of Max in the Land of Lies, JOSH LEVY, author of Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop, ANNA JORDAN, author of Shira and Esther's Double Dream Debut, and ANN KOFFSKY, author of The Peddler and the President. It's going to be a wonderful afternoon!

Not Nothing by GAYLE FORMAN

Max in the Land of Lies by ADAM GIDWITZ
Max Bretzfeld was willing to do anything to return to Germany, even become a British spy. Training complete and forged papers in hand, the radio wunderkind’s missions have begun. But nothing is as he expected. His parents are missing. Nazi intelligence is watching him. And the lines between lies and truth are becoming more blurred every day. Max will need every tool at his disposal, from his radio expertise and spy training to the help of Berg and Stein, the immortal creatures living on his shoulders. Even so, there’s no guarantee he’ll make it out of Berlin alive.

Shira and Esther's Double Dream Debut by ANNA JORDAN

When Shira and Esther first meet, they can hardly believe their eyes. It’s like looking in a mirror! But even though they may look identical, the two girls couldn’t be more different. Shira dreams of singing and dancing onstage, but her father, a stern and pious rabbi, thinks Shira should be reading prayers, not plays. Esther dreams of studying Torah, but her mother, a glamorous stage performer, wishes Esther would spend more time rehearsing and less time sneaking off to read books. Oy vey! If only the two could switch places . . .

The Peddler and the President by ANN KOFFSKY

Harry and Eddie were unlikely friends. Harry was 19. Eddie was 14. Harry lived on a farm with chickens, cows, and horses. Eddie never even had a pet! Harry was Christian. Eddie was Jewish. But they worked together very well. They operated an army shop in their hometown and later founded a hat shop together.

Even when they didn't work together, they remained friends. They wrote letters all the time. Harry went into politics, eventually becoming the President of the United States! Eddie was a salesman in Kansas City. Harry would shop in Eddie's store, and Eddie would visit the White House. Even though people like Harry's wife, Bess, didn't think Jewish people should interact with the upper classes, Harry never left his friend.

But after World War II, there was an international discussion about whether the Jewish people should establish a new country in their ancient homeland. A lot of people were asking Harry to support the idea. Harry's advisors in the White House wanted him to stay quiet. Eddie was conflicted. He was Harry's friend, and he was also Jewish. Eddie needed to have courage to speak about his beliefs, as well as trust in his friend to listen

Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by JOSH LEVY

Finn and Ezra don’t have a lot in common—except, of course, that they’re trapped in a bar mitzvah time loop, reliving their celebrations in the same New Jersey hotel over and over and over again.

Not ideal, particularly when both kids were ready for their bar mitzvahs to end the moment they began. Ezra comes from a big family—four siblings, all seeming to get more attention than him, even on his bar mitzvah weekend. Finn is an only child who’s tired of his parents’ constant focus, even worse on his bar mitzvah weekend. They just want to get past it, just want to grow up. And now they’re both stuck. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. No way out.

Until Finn and Ezra meet and realize they’re not alone.

Sunday, May 25th at 3pm at Our 17th St Store!