Reqs & Recs

Questions about teen reading, Gita Gordon, early readers, and Jewish history

It’s been a while, but here’s another roundup of recent requests for book recommendations. Frum literature has a limited set of titles, but there seems to be an unlimited way to slice and dice them as we dive into each reader’s unique reading preferences. Have what to add? Share your own recommendations in the comments below.

Q1

I'm a high school girl who loves reading. I have a hard time finding what to read because I do not enjoy Riva Pomerantz style books, or really any kind of husband/wife/issues kind of writing. I like adventure but have outgrown the Yonah Sapir kind of books, and I've already read all of Yair Weinstock's books. I can read almost any kind of genre, though Etka Gittel Schwartz is my favorite author, along with Maya Kenan. Any suggestions? - DT

It sounds like you complex and well-written stories, regardless of genre. I’ve included a sampling from different genres below. You might also like some of the recommendations included in this and this collection.

1. The Trepid Trilogy, A. Yarden - speculative historical fiction

2. Fatal Judgement, Yisrael Meir Merkin - legal thrillers

3. This is America, Henye Meyer - historical fiction

4. Deep Blue, Uri Meir Gottesman - a contemporary story that defies genre, try this for something completely unique

5. Dream On, Gila Arnold - Pomerantz-style contemporary drama, but with a more wholesome and balanced storyline

Q2

I’m looking for books on the writing level of Gita Gordon. So many fall short quality-wise... - JW

Gita Gordon’s novels have phenomenal writing, but they’re also unique for their understated, atmospheric, and quiet tone. They’re books that absorb you and can be slowly enjoyed, rather than use drama and hysterics to get you to the edge of your seat. Here are some other historical novels that share both the writing quality and tone.

1. Desert Song, Sudy Rosengarten

2. The Four Seasons of Golda Mirel, Eva Vogiel

3. Castle Builders, Menucha Chana Levin

4. Hold the Line, Brocha Miller

Q3

My first grader is getting into reading, and she’s bored with the early readers she comes home from school with, those six-page books without much of a story. Are there any better options for her? - ZH

This is a tough age, both in frum and secular publishing. (Keep in mind we’re in April now, when first grade means something very different than it does in September!) Below is a combination of the few titles available for this reading level with advanced plots, as well as longer picture books which are well suited for division into smaller stories or chapters with age-appropriate storylines.

1. Funny Sunny Comes to Town, Tehilla Bauman

2. Smile with Avigail series, Menucha Fuchs

3. Baylee’s Yellow Party, Faygie Holt

4. Genendl Krohn’s bedtime storybooks - like this, this, and this

Q4

Thanks for your email about historical biographies. I’m not such a fan of biographies and often read them just for the history parts. Are there any interesting books about historical stories or time periods that are not biographies? - YH

There’s surprisingly little. The best historical research hides within historical novels such as Leah Gebber’s and Etka Gitel Schwartz’s. Below are a few purely historical titles.

1. Struggles, Challenges, and Tradition, Berel Wein - the broad spectrum of Orthodoxy’s decline during the turn of the 20th century

2. Hidden in Thunder, Esther Farbstein - analysis of Rabbinic responses during the Holocaust (heavier read)

3. The Underground, Yaakov Astor and Rabbi Mordechai Nuestadt - the story of the frum world’s interaction with their brethren behind the Iron Curtain

4. Mavericks, Mystics, and Messiahs, Pinni Dunner - deep dives into fascinating and unique anecdotes from across history

5. The Hidden Hand, Yaakov Astor - episodes from throughout WWII

Have questions for next time? Email your specific question to frumbooksnewsletter@gmail.com.