Newberry medalist Sidney Fleischman is among the winners of the 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Awards for Jewish children’s literature.
The awards were announced last week by the Association of Jewish Libraries.
Fleischman’s provocative new Holocaust-themed book, “The Entertainer and the Dybbuk,” for ages 9-12, won the award for older readers.
“Fleischman’s new work is imaginative and riveting,” two-time National Jewish Book Award winner Norman H. Finkelstein told JTA.
“Strange Relations,” a coming-of-age novel by award-winning Sonia Levitin, won in the teen category.
“Bedtime Sh’ma, A Good Night Book,” by Sarah Gershman and illustrated by Kristina Swarner, won for young readers. Recommended by the library association for children up to second grade, it includes the words of the traditional Jewish prayer in English and Hebrew. An accompanying audio CD includes a recitation of the prayer.
A full listing of the award winners is available at www.jewishlibraries.org.
