Jewish Stars: Recommended Books With Jewish Themes for Schools and Libraries (PDF format) is now available on the Web site of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL), free for downloading.

This new, annotated bibliography will enable teachers, librarians, and parents identify and recommend books that will help children learn about the Jewish religion, culture, history, Israel, and contemporary Jewish life.

The twenty-nine page bibliography includes more than 200 titles appropriate for public school, public library, and other general collections and are accessible to readers with limited knowledge of Judaism.

The bibliography is organized by topic: Basic Judaism & Other Religions; Jewish Biographies; Contemporary Jewish Life; Jewish Folklore; Jewish History; Jewish Holidays; Israel; Jewish Life Cycle Events; and World War II and The Holocaust. Each topic is divided by age level. A list of Web resources, review publications, conferences, and other resources also is included.

The editors plan to update the bibliography annually with new titles, as well as other additions and corrections.

Note: edited from the AJL news release; likely a great writer resource, too.

Cynsational Links

Mary Margaret’s blog: written from the point of view of Mary Margaret from Mary Margaret And The Perfect Pet Plan by Christine Kole MacLean (Dutton, 2004). A cute idea, well executed! Also don’t miss Christine’s resources and inspiration page, including the link to What To Expect When You Get Published from literary agent Jenny Bent.