The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

This is the poignant, first-hand account of a Jewish girl in hiding during the Holocaust. It is a profound exploration of human resilience, identity, and hope in the face of tragedy.

Night by Elie Wiesel

A deeply moving memoir by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, it chronicles his experiences in Nazi concentration camps. It’s an important work on memory, survival, and human rights, appropriate for older teens.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

This novel focuses on the friendship between two Jewish boys in Brooklyn, one from a Hasidic family and the other from a more secular background. It addresses themes of faith, tradition, and personal growth.

The Golem's Latkes by David Grossman

A charming and humorous story that reimagines the classic Jewish myth of the Golem, with a focus on Jewish culture and holiday traditions, especially Hanukkah.

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

Set in early 20th-century New York, this beloved children’s classic tells the story of a Jewish family with five sisters who experience the joys and challenges of growing up Jewish in America.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

While not strictly Jewish American literature, this novel has Jewish influences and explores themes of family, belonging, and resilience. It features a young boy in Paris with an intricate plot involving clocks, film, and secrets.

I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Lecture by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner

This book explores the Jewish experience and identity through the reflections of a rabbi, offering insights into Jewish teachings, beliefs, and practices, which can help teens explore their own identities.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

While the author isn’t Jewish, this novel takes place in Nazi Germany and features a Jewish character, Max, who hides from the Nazis. It’s a poignant story about the impact of war and how people hold on to hope.

Hester Among the Ruins by Caryl Phillips

This novel features a Jewish family and explores themes of displacement, identity, and generational struggles, connecting deeply with issues of belonging and the immigrant experience.

Once by Morris Gleitzman

A novel about a young Jewish boy during the Holocaust, Once is an accessible and emotionally resonant way to learn about Jewish history. The story is told from a child’s perspective, making it relatable for younger teens.

To Be a Jew in America by Rabbi Chaim Potok

This non-fiction book offers a collection of essays by Chaim Potok on the experience of Jews in America. It covers a wide range of topics that will give teens a deeper understanding of Jewish life and history in the U.S.

Maus by Art Spiegelman

A graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a son interviewing his father, a survivor. The book uses animals to represent different groups, with Jews portrayed as mice. It’s an accessible and powerful way to learn about the Holocaust.

How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

This novel follows the story of a Jewish girl in the 1960s as she confronts both cultural and personal changes. It’s a beautifully written exploration of identity, family, and the search for belonging.

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

This groundbreaking young adult novel touches on themes of love, identity, and coming out. It features a Jewish-American character and explores the intersection of cultural and personal identity.

The Other Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey

While not strictly a Jewish American book, it features a character who deals with issues of love, identity, and betrayal that may resonate with Jewish teens navigating family and cultural expectations.

The Way We Were by Elizabeth Noble

A novel that explores how love and family connections shape Jewish-American identity. It focuses on a family’s multi-generational relationships and the bonds they share through cultural experiences.

The Bridegroom by Ha Jin

This story revolves around the life of a Jewish immigrant and explores themes of love, loss, and survival. It offers a perspective on life as an outsider in America.

Mighty by Chris Cleave

While not specifically Jewish, this novel touches on universal themes of survival and finding identity through shared experiences and connections, with Jewish characters helping to drive the narrative forward.