Fanny’s Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born

After young Fanny Goldstein (1895–1961) and her Jewish family flee antisemitic czarist Russia for Boston’s North End, teachers at a local settlement house, dismissive of the girl’s heritage, are adamant that she become “more American.” But avid reader Goldstein eventually finds a sympathetic mentor, and a community, in the Saturday Evening Girls Club, founded by a progressive Boston Public librarian “to prove that immigrant girls were as smart as everyone else,” writes Michelson (Next Year in the White House). Inspired by her cross-cultural friendships and the librarian’s example, Fanny goes on to become a librarian herself. She’s the first Jewish woman to run a branch of the Boston Public Library, and she transforms it into a welcoming space for new patrons of arrayed backgrounds. And when she notes that the branch’s Jewish patrons “are not interested in books written by Jews, or about Jews,” she begins to host Jewish Book Week, an open-to-all celebration that gives way to the long-running Jewish Book Month. With warmhearted, portrait-focused digital cartooning from debut creator Russell, this picture book biography is a fitting commemoration of Goldstein’s Jewish pride and tenacious, bridge-building spirit—and a timely reminder of libraries’ import. Brief biographical details conclude. Ages 6–9. Illustrator’s agent: Christie Megill, CAT Agency. (Nov.)