Jewish American Literature

Including Pulitzer Prize winners like Art Spiegelman's groundbreaking Maus and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, the texts in this collection celebrate the literary contributions and stories of Jewish Americans.

Leonardo Da Vinci

by Walter Isaacson

Publication year 2017

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Art

Tags Arts & Culture, Biography, European History

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson is a 2017 biography that examines the life, mind, and legacy of one of history’s most celebrated polymaths. Isaacson—an acclaimed biographer and former editor of Time magazine—brings a blend of journalistic storytelling and scholarly research to his portrayal of Leonardo. Known for his best-selling works on figures like Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Benjamin Franklin, Isaacson turns his attention here to the archetype of Renaissance genius, emphasizing the human... Read Leonardo Da Vinci Summary

Letters from Cuba

by Ruth Behar

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Perseverance, Race, Self Discovery, Immigration, Friendship

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Latin American Literature, Jewish Literature, Race & Racism, Holocaust, Children`s Literature, Military & War, World History

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Letters to a Young Teacher

by Jonathan Kozol

Publication year 2007

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Education, Social Class, Childhood & Youth, Truth & Lies

Tags Education, Social Justice, Race & Racism, Education, Psychology, Psychology

Jonathan Kozol’s Letters to a Young Teacher, originally published in 2007, is a collection of letters containing Kozol’s teaching advice for a new first grade schoolteacher named Francesca. The format of this book is inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s famous Letters to a Young Poet, which has become a model for advice books for young people in different professions and callings. Although some identifying elements have been changed, the book’s letters represent a real correspondence... Read Letters to a Young Teacher Summary

Lincoln's Grave Robbers

by Steve Sheinkin

Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Lincoln’s Grave Robbers is a nonfiction book for young readers by Steve Sheinkin. It describes how a gang of counterfeiters attempted to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln from his tomb in Springfield, Illinois, in order to hold it for ransom. Sheinkin’s retelling features rich historical detail, a colorful cast of characters, and probing insights into the fractiousness of the 1870s, as well as some striking parallels to contemporary events. Set in the aftermath of... Read Lincoln's Grave Robbers Summary

Lost In Yonkers

by Neil Simon

Publication year 1991

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Family, War, Coming of Age

Tags Drama, Education, Education, Jewish Literature, Dramatic Literature, Humor, Classic Fiction

Lost in Yonkers is a play by American playwright Neil Simon that premiered in 1991. It centers around Jay Kurnitz, a teenage boy sent with his younger brother, Arty, to live with his grandmother in Yonkers. Many critics consider the play, which debuted to overwhelming critical acclaim, one of Simon’s best works. It explores themes of abbreviated childhood, war, and generational trauma. Lost in Yonkers won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama upon its release, and... Read Lost In Yonkers Summary

Mastery

by Robert Greene

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Education, Self Discovery, Perseverance

Tags Self-Improvement, Psychology, Business & Economics, Philosophy, Leadership, World History, Psychology, Philosophy

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Maus

by Art Spiegelman

Publication year 1986

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Nonfiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Fate

Tags World History, World War II, Holocaust, European History, Postmodernism, Military & War, Biography

Maus by Art Spiegelman was the first graphic novel to win the Pulitzer Prize. It originally ran in Spiegelman’s Raw magazine between 1980 and 1991 before receiving mainstream attention as two collected volumes, Maus I in 1986 and Maus II in 1991. This guide is based on the 1996 complete edition. This historic memoir interlaces two narratives, one of Spiegelman’s Jewish father as he survives World War II Poland and the Auschwitz concentration camp, and... Read Maus Summary

Midnight Magic

by Avi

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Coming of Age, Social Class, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Children`s Literature, Medieval

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Misbehaving

by Richard H. Thaler

Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Community, Politics & Government

Tags Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Sociology, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement

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Missoula

by Jon Krakauer

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Justice, Safety & Danger

Tags Crime & Law, Gender & Feminism, US History, Politics & Government, Journalism, True Crime, History, Sociology, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History

Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer is a work of narrative nonfiction that explores the pervasive issue of sexual violence within the context of a college town. Published in 2015, the book offers an examination of several cases of sexual assault at the University of Montana in Missoula, shedding light on the systemic failures of the justice system and the broader societal attitudes that often exacerbate the trauma... Read Missoula Summary

Moon Palace

by Paul Auster

Publication year 1989

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Love, Fate, Hope, Memory, Disability, Mental Health, Appearance & Reality, Self Discovery

Tags Finance, African American Literature

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