PJOurWay books review thread

Amelia Bedelia

Thu, Aug 03 2023, 3:39 pm

seeker wrote:

Judging books by their covers, nothing even compelled me to click for more details.

Same

happy chick

Fri, Aug 04 2023, 10:18 am

albert einstein and the book of secrets both look so-so. any opinions?

the other 2 are both big no-nos.

seeker

Fri, Aug 04 2023, 10:34 am

Personally I don't consider Einstein a Jewish role model per se so I wouldn't go for a book that tries to make him one. I'd rather have a biography of him that isn't produced by PJ, I'm sure the library has plenty. But that's just me.

Don't know the other one.

Amelia Bedelia

Fri, Aug 04 2023, 12:07 pm

seeker wrote:

It's not produced by PJ. It's a DK book.

seeker

Fri, Aug 04 2023, 12:21 pm

Amelia Bedelia wrote:

It's not produced by PJ. It's a DK book.

They often modify books to a PJ version. That said, it's possible this isn't one of those. I don't know. I'm just not so compelled to find out, this is going to be one of those months I save the environment by not getting books we might not read.

SaraFruma

Wed, Aug 09 2023, 12:10 pm

Hi! I wanted to see if anyone had read these books or had any thoughts...before I "order" them through PJ Our Way, I wanted to get a better idea if they were appropriate/hashkafically in line.

The Time Tunnel: The Dreyfus Affair by Galila Ron-Feder-Amit
The Book of Secrets by Mat Tonti
Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowe
Armstrong & Charlie by Steven B. Frank

Thanks!!

amother

Seafoam

Thu, Aug 10 2023, 9:28 am

SaraFruma wrote:

Aviva vs. the Dybbuk features frum characters, but it also centers around a women's mikveh so consider that when you order it. (I thought it was fine for my daughter when I pre-read it but it's just something to be aware of. Slight discussion of periods.)

Amelia Bedelia

Fri, Sep 01 2023, 12:18 pm

The selections this month seem pretty good! I chose the two historical fiction books. Johanna Hurwitz is a great author and her books are, as far as I know, usually kosher, but I don't like fantasy, and the other books seem great too, so...

Last edited by Amelia Bedelia on Fri, Sep 01 2023, 12:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

mamaleh

Fri, Sep 01 2023, 12:28 pm

Does anyone know how the aging out process works? Does it stop at their 13th birthday? Can they get a book the month of their birthday?

happy chick

Fri, Sep 01 2023, 1:30 pm

Amelia Bedelia wrote:

Lucky broken girl has something about the girl davening to Hashem and also other G-d's. Not something our young kids should be reading. Jmho.

Amelia Bedelia

Sun, Oct 01 2023, 9:22 pm

happy chick wrote:

Any opinions on this months books?

Definitely the last selection by Leah Sokol from Judaica Press

SaraFruma

Mon, Oct 02 2023, 3:19 pm

Does anyone have any feedback on the book "How To Be A Mensch" by Catherine Newman? It looks like it would be a funny "life skills" type of book, and it has a more comic-book feel, which my kids usually like. It's on this months PJ Our Way list.

happy chick

Mon, Oct 02 2023, 7:09 pm

SaraFruma wrote:

There was something in the parent guide that I didn't like. Can't remember what it was. Maybe that it's a non-jewish book that pj tried to turn into a "Jewish read". Im scared of those type of things.

amother

Denim

Mon, Oct 02 2023, 9:34 pm

SaraFruma wrote:

I have that book
There were some pages that I didn't want my boys to read yet.. I dont remember it all but there was a section on menstruation.... .
Its a decent book but I would read it thru again before passing on to my kids...

happy chick

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 12:45 pm

has anyone read sweep? seems a little scary. between the falling down the chimney, almost dying in a fire, etc.

the jake book said something about one of his friends being the first to come out as gay.

happy chick

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 12:49 pm

I just refreshed the page and they switched out sweep for the storytellers beads.

Amelia Bedelia

Mon, Oct 09 2023, 11:17 am

Amelia Bedelia wrote:

Just got Rip to the Rescue over Yom tov. Very appropriate and great book. (Subtle girlfriend reference)

Amelia Bedelia

Mon, Oct 09 2023, 11:23 am

If you didn't choose your October book, there's a new selection. Adina at Her Best from Menucha Publishers. (They've offered it before, so I have it already.)