I already mentioned winning the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award but there is a very important and prestigious award for books that are already published called the Sydney Taylor Book Award which recognizes outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The Sydney Taylor Shmooze is a mock award blog created to encourage discussion of books eligible for the Sydney Taylor Book Award over the course of the year. Different people (me being one of them) volunteer to read and review the books that might be considered for the Award and at the end of the year everyone votes. Of course, the real Award Committee make their own choices but this is a fun way to read, learn about and discuss new books. Here are some of my reviews:
- Review: The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit (MG)
- Review: Houdini and Me by Dan Gutman (MG)
- Review: Letters From Cuba by Ruth Behar (MG)
- Review: A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan (MG)
- Review: We’ll Soon Be Home Again by Jessica Bab Bonde, illustrated by Peter Bergting, translated by Jessica Bab Bonde and Sunshine Barbito (YA)
- They Went Left by Monica Hesse (YA)