Reqs & Recs + Shavuos Releases

We’re back for more book recommendations. Thanks to all who’ve sent in your requests and trusted me with your reading dilemmas! These questions give us a chance to dive deep into the nitty gritty niches of frum literature and hopefully uncover some titles you haven’t gotten to yet. I would love to hear what ideas you can add to the below requests - leave your recommendations in the comments.

Plus: There aren’t many Shavuos releases this year, but there are three new titles perfect for a long Yom Tov afternoon outdoors. Reviews below.

Q1

My 6th-grade son refuses to read anything but comics. What chapter books can I give him to get him hooked? - SH

The magical book that unlocks reading is different for every child. I’m often surprised when I hear what title got a kid interested in reading—it’s all about their interests. That said, a good rule of thumb is to lean into fast-moving and adventurous stories to keep comic book readers engaged.

1. Secrets of Ramoni Manor, YM Hodgbi

2. Alien Invasion, Binyamin Paige

3. Walled Secrets, Dina Neuman

4. No. 186, Meir Stein

5. Secret of the Purple Bottle, Rachel Schorr

Q2

I used to be more into reading non-Jewish books, just because I found the quality so much better and the writing stronger. Now that I am more careful, I find I have much less to read in terms of quality Jewish fiction. What are some well-written Jewish novels out there? I am a big fan of Leah Gebber and have also really enjoyed Ruti Kepler books. - CL

Less quality frum novels are available: about 10% of published books will be really great, both in secular and frum publishing. Since less frum books are published, 10% translates to a lot less. But there are great options out there! The best of frum fiction is most often found in historical fiction, for reasons I haven’t yet understood. The two authors you mentioned are both rich and deep, so let’s do some more in that vein.

1. Freefall, Miriam Zakon (historical fiction)

2. Sun Inside Rain, M. Bassara (historical fiction)

3. A Promising Past, Dov Haller (contemporary)

4. Full Harvest, Etka Gitel Schwartz (historical fiction)

5. Wildlands, M. Kenan (historical thriller)

Q3

My 7th grader daughter wants to read “novels”, but I’m nervous about the content and don’t want her reading anything with too many issues. She won’t read anything scary or historical. Any ideas? - DR

Good news - there’s a whole genre of YA that does an excellent job of appealing to teens at their level while upping the angst and drama to satisfy the most gossipy of teen girls.

1. Bricks and Stones, Ariella Schiller

2. Never Too Late, Brocha Rosman

3. Shadows on the Moon, Bracha Goykadosh

4. Stargazing, Rochel (Grunewald) Samet

5. Invisible Me, Tzippi Caton

Q4

I was wondering if you have any recommendations for a book for me - I like contemporary, based in the US,  Riva Pomerantz style. I read and liked Dov Haller, some of Sara Weiderblank... Is anything else similar to those? - AS

There's not much in common between Dov Haller and Sara Weiderblank, but they're both light and fun reads, so I’m guessing you don't want anything too heavy. Although Riva Pomerantz can be somewhat heavy, depends on the book!

1. Heart Rhythms, Shuli Mensh

2. Follow Me, Esty Heller

3. Dream On, Gila Arnold

4. Price Tags, Ariella Schiller

5. All Fall Down, Rachel Berger

Q5

I’m restocking my 4th-grade boys classroom library. What are some recent titles that I can include? - MF

How about starting with a few series, which you can scale up if your class is happy with them? Below are a variety of styles that together will appeal to all tastes.

1. Accidental Adventure series, Henye Meyer

2. Bubby Karp series, Miriam Walfish

3. Rolling with Nonny, Yael Mermelstein

4. PJ Pepperjay series, Yehudis Backenroth

Educational:

1. Reuvy's Startling Discovery/Moishy's Awesome Discovery/Yanky's Amazing Discovery, Moshe and Reuven Bauman - middos learned from gedolim

2. Time Rock series, Kayla Zuber - history

3. Mister Lister series, Judith Pransky - emotional skills

4. Young Readers Biography series (Menucha) or Sarah Feldbrand’s biographies (Israel Bookshop)

New Releases

Sadly not much this season (due to some shipping delays) - for more options, see Pesach’s releases.

• Following the Piper, Esther Malky Neiman - For fans of Ruby Zucker, Song of the Doves, and Hold the Line, a compelling, tonal, and heartwarming historical novel for teens and adults. In the war-torn Great Britain of 1941, Clara’s thrilled at the chance to do her part as a Land Girl, until the monotony and alienation lead her to question her sacrifice. 11-year-old Florrie has escaped London’s sirens and bomb shelters for the English countryside, but the picturesque farmland is hardly a reprieve. Tasked with caring for their sisters and mistreated neighbors, Florrie and Clara navigate suspicion, resentment, and dire news and find the courage and hope to stay strong for those who need them.

• Running in Circles, Batya Rudell - Dr. Shimon Steiner is running away from a dangerous mistake. But can anything protect him from himself? Determined to leave his accusing neighbors behind, he gives his wife a chance to fulfill her lifetime dream of Aliya. So why is Gabi lonely and the kids miserable? As an elusive peace moves further away, the family is desperate to go back in time. Can the Steiners veer off the circular path they’re on to chart a new path? A colorful and powerful family drama about the courage to start again

• True Blue, Libby Lazewnik - Penny’s having an amazing time at JAPA, a school for musical girls like her. But then bad news brings it all to a stop when Penny learns she may soon have to leave JAPA. Penny worries her troubles will bring her friends down, but they're starting to get confused and angry about her secrets. Can Penny learn to share her worries and maybe, just maybe, find a way to keep her place at JAPA? A relatable and exciting story about friendship for girls grades 5-6. (#2 in the Starlight Sisters series. Does not have to be read in order.)

Have a book request for next time? Email your detailed question to frumbooks@substack.com.