"In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Jewish Book Week, this engaging biography introduces children to the influential librarian and immigrant who originated the event.
Fanny Goldstein immigrated to America from Russia when she was six. She loved the fact that in her new country she could borrow books for free and take part in all kinds of activities at the Saturday Evening Girls Club. Right away, her curiosity attracted the notice of the club's founder, who was also the head of the Boston Public Library. It wasn't long before Fanny was hired as the librarian's assistant, and then at thirty-three, as the first Jewish director of a Boston branch library. And when Fanny noticed how rarely Jewish families checked out books about their own history, she had an idea that would influence libraries and readers for decades to come: She decided to host a week-long party to celebrate Jewish books and culture. It was such a success that it launched a national event which has continued for 100 years!"
"Before Ruth Bader Ginsburg, there was Louis D. Brandeis: a lawyer/activist turned Supreme Court Justice who drew on common sense and Jewish values to make a difference.
This nonfiction book for young readers ages 7–10 brings to life a man full of wit and common sense, a trailblazer to inspire Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike.
Louis Brandeis knows it’s up to him to change the world. He has seen how some people are treated poorly because of their race or their religion or because they are poor. If I were a lawyer like Uncle Dembitz, he thinks, I could fight for those who need extra help. Guided by his uncle’s example, his father’s practical wisdom, and Jewish values of equality and justice, Brandeis gets to work as a lawyer, making sure everyone has a chance. Louis knows it’s important to fight for worker’s rights and women’s rights. Louis knows (before most people!) that everyone has the right to privacy. And Louis knows it’s important to support arguments with facts.
What Louis doesn’t know is that he’ll become the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice in 1916, and his fight for justice will only continue.
'What the first Jewish U.S. Supreme Court justice knew could fill a book … A solid introduction to an honorable man, known for his fair-minded rulings.'—Kirkus Reviews"
"Sarah Brenner was always one of a kind, even with four sisters who dressed just like her. Growing up in an immigrant family on New York City’s impoverished Lower East Side, Sarah’s life was full of things that weren’t fair. It wasn’t fair that her parents had to leave Europe because of their religion. It wasn’t fair they worked hard all day and the family barely had enough to eat. It wasn’t fair how girls were treated in her school.
When she grew up, Sarah gave herself a modern, boyish name, Sydney, just right for a woman who was going to forge her own path and continue to fight for a fairer world. When Sydney’s daughter complained that it wasn’t fair that there were no books about Jewish children like her, Sydney dreamed up a one-of-a-kind children’s book called All-of-a-Kind Family, which is still beloved today.
“I am pleased my mother’s stories allowed Jewish children to finally see themselves in books. I know she would have believed that all children today should have that same opportunity. May every reader of this story know how very special you are and, like my mother, truly one of a kind.”—Jo Taylor Marshall"
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