Top Book Picks for Your Pesach Reading

What new releases should you pick up to read over Yom Tov season? See the reviews and top picks for every age and every genre right here.

The countdown to Pesach is almost over! After all your hard work, prepare for some well-earned relaxation. Get ready to lose yourself in a world of engrossing stories and unforgettable characters with the best of this season’s new frum releases. This list highlights The Frum Book’s Newsletter’s top picks of captivating reads for children and adults. From giggles to gasps, find your perfect companion for those long Yom Tov afternoons. 

Whether you’re on a “frum-books-only” or “frum-books-sometimes” diet, there’s something for everybody. Top Picks will be appreciated by the widest audience; read the descriptions and reviews to find the titles that best match your tastes and needs. 

(Due to shipping delays, some releases haven’t made it to US stores yet, but are still expected before Yom Tov. They are marked below.)

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Young Readers
Grades 3-4

• Rolling with Nonny
  You can purchase here.
  by Yael Mermelstein – Being in a wheelchair makes him different, but Nonny Bear has no time to feel down. Whether it’s popped tires, turning orange, or catching the school thief, everything is extra fun with Nonny’s spirit and fun. Hilarious adventures for boys and girls grades 3-4.
• Mimi on a Mission
  You can purchase here.
  by Chani Altein – Shy Mimi faces big challenges and bigger adventures in this relatable and fun story for girls grades 3-5. Curveballs at camp school leave Mimi feeling overwhelmed. Can she navigate these tricky situations and discover a new side of herself?
• Confusion in the Classroom
  You can purchase here.
  by Sara Sumner – The Super Slueth Trio from Chaos in the Kitchen open their brand new detective agency just in time to crack the perplexing case of an unknown thief. Fun mysteries for 3-4th-grade boys and girls.

Young Readers
Girls Grades 4-7

• Only Mimi 2
  You can purchase here.
  by G. Schiff – Mimi is a one-of-a-kind girl with her own formula for life. She can’t avoid getting into zany adventures at home and at school, and her hilarious and witty diary is here to prove it. Girls grades 4-6.
• The Impossible Project
  You can purchase here.
  by Devorah Talia Gordon – The 8th grade’s Finding Her Footpath project is supposed to be fun, but for best friends Rina and Hindy, it seems impossible. Rina’s been struggling to juggle schoolwork and extracurricular all year, and the project is her final chance to get into High School. Hindy is eager to dive in, but her family’s embarrassing past leaves her stuck. A relatable and fun read for girls grades 6-7.
• Way to Go
  You can purchase here.
  by Rochel Stein – A collection of short stories that takes readers into the lives of kids just like them. Great for reluctant readers who prefer reading small amounts at a time. Girls and boys grades 4-6.

Young Readers
Boys Grades 4-8

• Alien Invasion
  You can purchase here.
  by Binyamin Paige – Noah Silber’s heroism has brought him to the Vice Presidency, but does he have the courage to change his own life? An alien battleship is heading to Earth to wreak destruction. To stop it, Noah and two alien visitors set out to find a secluded missing tribe that holds the key to preventing calamity. An exciting scientific mystery for boys grades 6-8 that chases time and nature’s clues through frozen tundra, collapsing glaciers, and abandoned caves. [Expected in the US before YT]
• Aiming for the Top
  You can purchase here.
  by Chaya Sara Ben Shachar – Ezra’s no good at math or sitting still, so when he comes up with an idea to help his younger brother who’s stuck in a wheelchair, he’s excited to have something that makes him special. Since the terrible accident that left him unable to walk, Shaya’s been ignoring everyone and staying home, with only bad memories and new inventions for company. Two tinkering boys, one genius invention. Whose idea was it really? A relatable and intriguing drama for boys grades 4-6.
• Prisoner of Piker’s Island
  You can purchase here.
  by YM Hodgbi – Eli Mink’s former adversary is back. After a dramatic escape from Piker’s Island, George Morris is out to take revenge on the young hero who destroyed his devious scheme and escaped his grasp. Boys grades 5-7 will be intrigued by the secluded world of Yeshiva Kesser Dan as the boys’ escapades take the reader into a spine-tingling atmosphere and through treacherous terrain. [Series best read in order] [Expected before Yom Tov]
• Leaving Mitzrayim
  You can purchase here.
  by Chaim Greenbaum – The fascinating diary of Amiasaf, a young boy leaving Mitzrayim, sequel to My Last Year in Mitzrayim. [Series can be read out of order.] Picking up the story as the Hebrews prepare for freedom, readers will see familiar stories through new eyes and experience the desperation of former slavemasters facing punishment, the wondrous joy of thousands marching toward the walls of Mitzrayim, and the miracles and confusion of desert travel. Girls and boys grades 4-7 will be enthralled by the humor, emunah, and wit of one courageous boy looking forward to an unknown future.
• 5th Grade
  You can purchase here.
  by Rabbi Yitzi Ross – The boys of Yeshiva Makom Torah’s 5th grade have an action-packed school year of laughter, chaos, and adventure. But beneath the surface, they face relatable challenges with friends, parents, or their own natures. Each chapter highlights experiences like bullying, impulsivity, and bedwetting. A funny, honest, and engaging read for boys grades 5-8. [Parents should know the book talks to both children and parents, and adult characters such as parents and teachers are very flawed (ie anger, impatience, revenge) to highlight chinuch lessons for adult readers.]

Other middle grades releases: VIP by Yehuda Cahn, an exciting adventure about a mediocre boy struggling to excel (grades 5-6) • 23 Under 1 Roof #12 by R. Rappaport, more hilarious escapes from a family of 21 (grades 4-6) • Chevron by Meir Uri Gottesman, the fantastical story about a struggling shul and the stories of courage that inspired it (grades 5-7)

Young Readers
Girls Grades 7-10

• Shades of Normal
  You can purchase here.
  by Rochel Samet – When Mimi’s genius-but-socially-awkward sister Kaila joins her class, her carefully arranged social life is thrown apart. With needy friends, her sister’s bullies, and disappointed teachers all demanding her attention, Mimi wants to melt away. But as she watches Kaila navigate the tricky world of friendship, Mimi finds there’s more to people than meets the eye – including herself. A humorous and touching story about fitting in and stepping up that will feel familiar to all girls navigating family and friendship.
• Song of Faith
  You can purchase here.
  by Ellen Roteman – 15-year-old Liese’s once-secure life crumbles when her mother is removed from her pianist job. As whispers of hate turn to dangerous realities, tensions rise and her family argues about the future. While everything familiar turns against her, Liese holds on to what matters, determined to stay strong for her parents and younger siblings with love and laughter. A slow-burn and emotional story set in pre-war Germany.
• Storm Clouds
  You can purchase here.
  by Sarah Feldbrand – In her frigid Polish shtetl, Yiskah finds warmth from her family, friends, and Chassidus. But as the hatred around her increases, new ideas tempt her neighbors who yearn to change the world. Yiskah has bigger dreams, eyeing a bright future ahead of her. Can she hold onto her passion while everything around her changes?

Historical Fiction

• Captives Reunited
  You can purchase here.
  by Rochel Istrin – The dramatic and satisfying conclusion of The Captives trilogy throws the dynamic characters we’ve come to know against quickly changing times. An engrossing and thought-provoking adventure sweeps across the country as it hurtles toward the tumultuous Civil War. On a Louisiana plantation and a Missouri farm, the scattered siblings are shaped by their new surroundings, but determined to build futures true to their pasts. As the country’s bitter divisions erupt into conflict, they are caught between loyalty, values, and the carnage of war. After years of change and separation, can they move beyond their newfound divisions to reunite? [Series best read in order.]
• Hold the Line
  You can purchase here.
  by Brocha Miller – With an exciting career at the center of the automotive boom, Nate Bernstein’s future is promising. But when his boss’s advocacy tests his ambition and identity and a shocking betrayal costs him his savings and trust, Nate leaves his close-knit family to chart his own path. Rellie’s elegant new home contrasts sharply with her misery, and she keeps her distance from her eager relatives and the cheerful Hello Girls. Two people determined to hold on to old wounds, until the burning fields of France and a Spanish Flu sick ward reach past the walls they’ve erected. A fresh and compelling historical novel about family, forgiveness, and the grudges that hold us back.
• Once a Bride
  You can purchase here.
  by Ruti Tanenwald – From the author of Serina, an atmospheric story set in Buenos Aires in the 1950s. Violin is an integral part of Diana’s luxurious childhood, and her close relationship with Frau Werner, her music teacher, soon extends to the entire family. But Frau Werner’s inexplicable sadness and her husband’s broody silence seem to hide a secret beyond their bitter war experiences. As Diana and her family grow in their faith, so do their friends, until a shocking betrayal shatters Diana’s dreams. Dynamic characters and meaningful growth combine for a touching coming-of-age about friendship, duplicity, and resilience.

Contemporary Fiction

• Take 2
  You can purchase here.
  by Riva Pomerantz – A provocative family drama breaks through the intricate webs of our relationships and balances masterfully crafted characters, emotional depth, and penetrating themes. Miri’s new marriage is nothing like she dreamed of, with her husband Aryeh distracted and disappearing. When crisis pushes her to put her foot down, she discovers that her husband’s evasion hides a house of cards teetering on edge. As layers of pain and dysfunction peel away, the chasm that’s left seems impossible to overcome. Can a vulnerable couple rebuild after generations of enmeshment? A nuanced exploration of parents, children, victimhood, and change. [Expected before Yom Tov]
• Canceled
  You can purchase here.
  by Miriam Luxemberg – On a routine flight to LA, Leslie Stone, fierce women’s rights influencer, is caught in the crosshairs between a Chassidic man and a furious passenger, connecting her to the Williamsburg family forever. Her carefully curated online identity is in shatters, leaving her with no direction or hope. When her cancelation follows her to the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, she hits rock bottom. A vibrant and contemporary story about identity and growth.
• The Last Rebbe of Lodz
  You can purchase here.
  by Yonah Klein – The dispersed Ginzburg family is working to rebuild the glory of their past, but a hidden adversary is working against them. Izzy is settled into his monotonous single life and good enough job, until upheaval disrupts his comfortable routine and he finds himself adrift. Zach has everything going for him and is gearing up for a House bid when longtime allies turn on him and release accusations that will end his career. Two distant cousins at crossroads in their lives, brought together by a shared mission. A slow build-up to a dramatic string of events, blending humor, introspection, and suspense.
• Truth Meets Fiction
  You can purchase here.
  by Nachman Seltzer – A broad collection of fictional short stories about assumptions, choices, and consequences. Straightforward stories highlight the complexity within the mundane and dive deep into the animating drives behind our communities and families. Grappling with contemporary issues and ideas, a beloved author will make you think and leave you with a takeaway.

Other contemporary fiction releases: Silent Mobiles Part 1 by Pnina Paksher • The Black Sheep by Esther Rappaport

Thrillers

• Ultimate Victory
  You can purchase here.
  by A. Yarden – Coming into the third of a trilogy is bracing for a letdown, but Ultimate Victory leverages the built-up drama and emotion for a climactic conclusion that answers our questions and leaves us desperate for more. An oppressed native population may hold the key to Pridge’s peace, but can their fierce spokeswoman rally her people to a cause they’ve long given up on? As Pridge’s enemies close in on all sides, Yechiel must stand on his own in vicious battles and bitter power struggles. When his unit pays the ultimate price for success, who does his loyalty really belong to? In the ultimate showdown, the power of the Fangalas is finally unleashed and illuminates Yechiel’s role in history. What if his fight is not for victory, but something greater? [Series must be read in order.]
• In Cold Blood
  You can purchase here.
  by Yonah Sapir – In the newest two-part Agent for Hire miniseries, Eyal is dragged back to the danger he wishes to leave behind when a ruthless enemy resurfaces and his closest friend Eli is in danger. The consequences are personal, and no sacrifice is too great for Eli. But as Eyal is sucked into a perilous web of corruption and depravity, loyalty and betrayal become one. Tense, high-speed action meets agonizing choices for a heart-stopping read. [Part 1 available now, Part 2 expected in US stores before Yom Tov.]

Non Fiction

• Angels in Orange
  You can purchase here.
  by Nachman Seltzer – On Simchas Torah morning, Eli Beer and his United Hatzalah army sprang into action, putting their resources, network, and expertise to aid their nation during its darkest hour. The book features the experiences of a wide array of United Hatzalah volunteers and showcases the horror of October 7th, as well as the kindness and heroism that emerged in the aftermath. Each chapter tells one volunteer’s story, and together they provide a chronological account of the agony, chaos, and confusion as the country learned about the attack and began the slow rescue of the injured. Some of the stories are a bit repetitive, but the quick pace and important message keep the pages turning. Note that descriptions have been made family-friendly, but are still graphic.
• Now That’s a Story
  You can purchase here.
  by Yechiel Spero
• Ordinary Greatness
  You can purchase here.
  by Jonathan Rosenblum – A master biographer brings personal perspective and wit to a collection of essays about the beauty and inspiration within every person and encounter. Highlighting the widest range of individuals, these profiles look far past the surface and uncover the driving forces behind the accomplishments and struggles within every community. Anecdotes and ideas capture the opportunities for growth waiting to be seized and the hidden greatness amongst us.

Biography

• The Klausenburger Rebbe
  You can purchase here.
  by Avrohom Birnbaum
• The Beis Yisroel
  You can purchase here.
  by Yisroel Besser

Wany more reading ideas? Check out past seasons’ releases