Open Books Challenge 2026: By a Jewish Author

The Open Books Reading Challenge is a year-long reading challenge for people interested in pushing the boundaries of their reading. For full details of the program, please check-out our page at: https://www.rplmn.org/books-more/discover-more/open-books-reading-challenge

These are some ideas that fit the 2026 category "By a Jewish author."

Happy Reading!

Updated December 31, 2025
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The liars' gospel : a novel
Alderman, Naomi.
Ebook
An award-winning writer reimagines the life of Jesus, from the points of view of four people closest to him before his death. This is the story of Yehoshuah, who wandered Roman-occupied Judea giving sermons and healing the sick. Now, a year after his death, four people tell...
The blood years
Arnold, Elana K.
Paper Book
Winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Named a best book of the year by the Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, SLJ, ALA Booklist, the Horn Book, and more Recipient of five starred reviews From Michael L. Printz honoree & National Book Award...
I came all this way to meet you : writing myself home
Attenberg, Jami
Paper Book
Named a Best Book of the Year by: Time * New Yorker * Sunday Times (UK) From New York Times bestselling author Jami Attenberg comes a dazzling memoir about unlocking and embracing her creativity--and how it saved her life. In this brilliant, fierce, and funny memoir of...
The hiding place
Azzopardi, Trezza.
Paper Book
Set in a Maltese immigrant community in Cardiff Wales, The Hiding Place is the story of Frankie Gauci, his wife Mary, their six daughters, and about Frankie's betrayal, gambling away his family's livelihood and eventually the family itself. A young British novelist bursts onto the international...
Ninth house
Bardugo, Leigh
Paper Book
"The best fantasy novel I've read in years, because it's about real people... Impossible to put down." --Stephen King Enter a mesmerizing world of power, privilege, and dark magic among the Ivy League elite in the first book in the Alex Stern series. ...
Lucky broken girl
Behar, Ruth
Paper Book
An unforgettable coming-of-age novel following a young Cuban-Jewish immigrant girl in 1960s New York City who must overcome the sudden derailment of her American Dream. WINNER OF THE PURA BELPRE AWARD * A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY "A...
The postcard
Berest, Anne
Paper Book
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR TIME Magazine・NPR・Library Journal・The Globe and Mail・Lilith・Forward Magazine・Toronto Star・The New Yorker Winner of the Choix Goncourt Prize, Anne Berest...
Those who save us
Blum, Jenna.
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller * Winner of the Ribalow Prize, awarded by Hadassah Magazine An estranged mother and daughter reunite to confront their family's role in World War II in this harrowing, unforgettable novel about lost love and inherited shame from New York Times bestselling author...
Superfudge
Blume, Judy.
Paper Book
Part of the classic Fudge series from Judy Blume, bestselling author of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing! Farley Drexel Hatcher--otherwise known as Fudge--thinks he's a superhero, but his older brother, Peter, knows Fudge is nothing but a big pain! Dealing with Fudge...
Fleishman is in trouble
Brodesser-Akner, Taffy
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST * "A masterpiece" (NPR) about marriage, divorce, and the bewildering dynamics of ambition Now an Emmy Award-nominated FX limited series on Hulu, starring Claire Danes, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, and...
Caleb's crossing
Brooks, Geraldine.
Paper Book
A richly imagined new novel from the author of the New York Times bestseller, People of the Book. Once again, Geraldine Brooks takes a remarkable shard of history and brings it to vivid life. In 1665, a young man from Martha's Vineyard became the first Native...
Hope and other punchlines
Buxbaum, Julie
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things and What to Say Next delivers a poignant and hopeful novel about resilience and reinvention, first love and lifelong friendship, the legacies of loss, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.
The Yiddish policemen's union : a novel
Chabon, Michael.
Paper Book
For sixty years, Jewish refugees and their descendants have prospered in the Federal District of Sitka, a "temporary" safe haven created in the wake of revelations of the Holocaust and the shocking 1948 collapse of the fledgling state of Israel. Proud, grateful, and longing to be American, the...
Hereville : how Mirka got her sword
Deutsch, Barry.
Paper Book
Spunky, strong-willed eleven-year-old Mirka Herschberg isn't interested in knitting lessons from her stepmother, or how-to-find-a-husband advice from her sister, or you-better-not warnings from her brother. There's only one thing she does want: to fight dragons! Granted, no dragons...
The Boston girl : a novel
Diamant, Anita.
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller An unforgettable novel about a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston in the early twentieth century, told "with humor and optimism...through the eyes of an irresistible heroine" (People)--from the acclaimed author of The Red Tent<...
Fagin the thief : a novel
Epstein, Allison
Paper Book
A thrilling reimagining of the world of Charles Dickens, as seen through the eyes of the infamous Jacob Fagin, London's most gifted pickpocket, liar, and rogue. "Fagin the Thief takes one of literature's greatest rogues and gives him a soul, a backstory, and a spotlight....
The diary of a young girl : the definitive edition
Frank, Anne
Paper Book
The diary as Anne Frank wrote it: "The single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust ... remains astonishing and excruciating" (The New York Times Book Review). In a modern translation, this definitive edition contains entries about Anne's burgeoning...
Man's search for meaning
Frankl, Viktor E.
Paper Book
"It's an absolute must-read for every human being. Period." -Anna Chlumsky A book for finding purpose and strength in times of great despair, the international best-seller is still just as relevant today as when it was first published. "This is a book...
Every wrinkle has a story
Grossman, David
Closing time : a novel
Heller, Joseph.
Paper Book
The marriage of opposites
Hoffman, Alice.
Paper Book
"[A] luminous, Marquez-esque tale." -O, The Oprah Magazine From the New York Times bestselling author of The Dovekeepers and The Museum of Extraordinary Things: a forbidden love story set on the tropical island of St. Thomas about the extraordinary woman who...
We were the lucky ones
Hunter, Georgia
Paper Book
The New York Times bestseller with more than 1 million copies sold worldwide | Now a Hulu limited series starring Joey King and Logan Lerman Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive--and to reunite...
The weight of ink
Kadish, Rachel
Paper Book
WINNER OF A NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD AUSA TODAY BESTSELLER An intellectual and emotional jigsaw puzzle of a novel for readers of A. S. Byatt'sPossessionand Geraldine Brooks'sPeople of the Book ...
The snowy day
Keats, Ezra Jack.
Paper Book
CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER * #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The magic and wonder of winter's first snowfall is perfectly captured in this classic seasonal board book celebrated by generations of readers--a beautiful gift for the holiday season! New York Public Library's #1 book on the...
The Dickens boy : a novel
Keneally, Thomas
Paper Book
The award-winning author of modern classics such as Schindler's List and Napoleon's Last Island is at his triumphant best with this "engrossing and transporting" (Financial Times) novel about the adventures of Charles Dickens's son in the Australian Outback during the 1860s.<...
The latecomer
Korelitz, Jean Hanff
Paper Book
*A New York Times Notable Book of 2022* *A Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction* *An NPR Best Book of the Year* *A New Yorker Best Book of 2022* From the New York Times bestselling author of The...
The history of love
Krauss, Nicole.
Paper Book
Leo Gursky taps his radiator each evening to let his upstairs neighbor know he's still alive. But it wasn't always like this: in the Polish village of his youth, he fell in love and wrote a book. . . . Sixty years later and half a world away, fourteen-year-old Alma, who was named after a character...
Becoming Brianna
Libenson, Terri
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller! Terri Libenson returns with another endearing, relatable story of friendship and finding confidence. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer L. Holm. Middle school is full of challenges. Everyone knows how...
The giver
Lowry, Lois.
Paper Book
Lois Lowry's The Giver is the quintessential dystopian novel, followed by its remarkable companions, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person...
Kissing kosher
Meltzer, Jean
Paper Book
"An unflinchingly honest romance." --Kirkus, starred review From the author of THE MATZAH BALL and MR. PERFECT ON PAPER comes this hilarious and emotional rivals-to-lovers romance. Step 1: Get the secret recipe. Step 2: Don't fall in love......
Cilka's journey
Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)
Paper Book
From the author of the multi-million copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz comes a new novel based on a riveting true story of love and resilience. Her beauty saved her -- and condemned her. Cilka is just sixteen years old when she is taken to...
Take what you need
Novey, Idra
Paper Book
Set in the Allegheny Mountains of Appalachia, Take What You Need traces the parallel lives of Jean, and her beloved but estranged stepdaughter, Leah, who's sought a clean break from her rural childhood. In Leah's urban life with her young family, she's revealed little about Jean, how much she misses...
A deadly education : a novel
Novik, Naomi
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the author of Uprooted and Spinning Silver comes the first book of the Scholomance trilogy, the story of an unwilling dark sorceress who is destined to rewrite the rules of magic. FINALIST FOR THE LODESTAR AWARD * "The dark...
The invisible bridge
Orringer, Julie.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller, A New York Times Notable Book of the Year, A National Jewish Book Award Nominee -- Paris, 1937. A Hungarian-Jewish architecture student arrives from Budapest with a mysterious letter he promised to deliver. But when he falls into a complicated relationship with the...
All three stooges
Perl, Erica S.
Paper Book
SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD HONOREE FOR OLDER READERS!                                       ...
The chosen : a novel
Potok, Chaim.
Paper Book
"Anyone who finds it is finding a jewel. Its themes are profound and universal."--The Wall Street Journal It is the now-classic story of two fathers and two sons and the pressures on all of them to pursue the religion they share in the way that is best suited to each. And...
The altruists : a novel
Ridker, Andrew
Paper Book
A New York Times Editors' Choice "[An] intelligent, funny, and remarkably assured first novel. . . . [Andrew Ridker establishes] himself as a big, promising talent. . . . Hilarious. . . . Astute and highly entertaining. . . . Outstanding." --The New York Times Book...
Camp
Rosen, Lev AC
Paper Book
A Lambda Award Finalist, A Today Show Best Book, A Forbes Best Book, and an ALA Rainbow List Top Ten selection Set in a summer camp, this sweet and sharp screwball comedy set in a summer camp for queer teens examines the nature of toxic masculinity and self...
We're going on a bear hunt
Rosen, Michael
Paper Book
Beloved for more than 30 years, this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury celebrates the joys of an afternoon outdoors with family. We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. Will you come too? Join a father and his four...
The rain watcher
Rosnay, Tatiana de
Paper Book
New York Times Bestselling AuthorEditor's Choice #5 TitleIn this profound and intense novel of love and redemption, Linden Malegarde returns to Paris from the United States as the whole Malegarde family gathers for their father's 70th birthday. Each is on edge, afraid one wrong move will shatter the...
Where the wild things are
Sendak, Maurice.
Paper Book
Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. A must for every child's bookshelf. This iconic story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his...
Little failure : a memoir
Shteyngart, Gary
Ebook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MICHIKO KAKUTANI, THE NEW YORK TIMES * NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME   NAMED ONE OF THE...
Those summer nights
Silverman, Laura
Paper Book
After recovering from a life-changing injury, a teen girl must navigate a new job, an ex-best friend, and two surprisingly attractive coworkers in this "sweet, romantic summer tale" (Kirkus Reviews) for fans of Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. Hannah used to be all about...
A giraffe and a half
Silverstein, Shel.
Paper Book
From Shel Silverstein, the New York Times bestselling creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree, comes a riotous rhyming picture book about a boy and his giraffe! Featuring rhythmic verse and iconic illustrations, A Giraffe and a Half will leave every reader, young and old,...
Poison for breakfast
Snicket, Lemony
Paper Book
In the years since this publishing house was founded, we have worked with an array of wondrous authors who have brought illuminating clarity to our bewildering world. Now, instead, we bring you Lemony Snicket. Over the course of his long and suspicious career, Mr. Snicket has investigated...
This is a love story : a novel
Soffer, Jessica
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY "This may be the most epic love story I've ever, ever read."--Jenna Bush Hager on TODAY An intimate and lyrical celebration of great love, great art, and the...
See you yesterday
Solomon, Rachel Lynn
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical, "emotionally savvy[,] and genuinely romantic" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) story in the vein of Groundhog Day about a girl forced to relive her disastrous...
Maus : a survivor's tale : my father bleeds history
Spiegelman, Art
Paper Book
The bestselling first installment of the graphic novel acclaimed as "the most affecting and successful narrative ever done about the Holocaust" (Wall Street Journal) and "the first masterpiece in comic book history" (The New Yorker) * PULITZER PRIZE WINNER * One of Variety's...
Worry : a novel
Tanner, Alexandra
Ebook
This is where I leave you
Tropper, Jonathan.
Paper Book
A riotously funny, emotionally raw New York Times bestselling novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind--whether we like it or not. The death of Judd Foxman's father marks the first time that the entire Foxman clan has congregated in years. There...
The golem and the jinni : a novel
Wecker, Helene.
Paper Book
?In The Golem and the Jinni, a chance meeting between mythical beings takes readers on a dazzling journey through cultures in turn-of-the-century New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life to by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic and dies at...
Night
Wiesel, Elie
Paper Book
A new translation from the French by Marion Wiesel. Night is Elie Wiesel's masterpiece, a candid, horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. This new translation by Marion Wiesel, Elie's wife and frequent...
The devil's arithmetic
Yolen, Jane.
Paper Book
30th Anniversary edition with a new introduction from the author  Hannah is tired of holiday gatherings−all her family ever talks about is the past. In fact, it seems to her that's what they do every Jewish holiday. But this year's Passover Seder will be different...
The book thief
Zusak, Markus.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME * A NEW YORK TIMES READER TOP 100 PICK FOR BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY * A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE CENTURY The extraordinary, beloved novel about the...

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