Tag Archives: Breakout Year

Happy Jewish American Heritage Month 2026!

Happy Jewish American Heritage Month! We’re celebrating as we do with books starring Jewish protagonists and/or by Jewish authors, and for more recs, check out previous years’ posts!

Picture Books

Shabbat is… by A.J. Sass (text) and Noa Kellner (illustration)

What does Shabbat mean to you?
Is it making a big meal with your relatives on Friday night?
Singing songs on Saturday morning?
Or maybe it’s seeing all your friends after services.

Shabbat can mean different things to different people, even for those who attend the same synagogue! This timeless story by award-winning author A. J. Sass explores the countless ways to celebrate the sabbath holiday through the wonderfully diverse fabric of Jewish life and experience.

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Continue reading Happy Jewish American Heritage Month 2026!

New Releases: September 16, 2025

Young Adult

Love and Video Games by Zachary Sergi

In the real world, Keegan Thomas is a gay, eighteen-year-old mythology nerd with undiagnosed chronic pain. But in the myth-inspired, online video game world of Pantheonic, he is the glorious and powerful K.Odyssia, slaying legions of enemies and completing quests for honor and glory along with his team, the Epic Hearts. Despite his closeness to his gamer friends–and the secret crush he has on his teammate, Alix–no one knows that he is struggling with the sudden onset of chronic pain in his lower back and fears it will hinder his ability to move to NYU in the fall.

When a quest in Pantheonic turns out to be a secret invitation to an in-person tournament in New York City, Keegan has to battle his fears of concealing and managing his pain so that his team can attend this once-in-a-lifetime event. Competing against six other teams, members of the Epic Hearts must work together to outwit and outplay the others to win the tournament and the hefty cash prize. But can Keegan as K.Odyssia be one of the heroes that Pantheonic needs while he’s laser-focused on his own epic battle? Will he be able to level up his relationship with Alix and lead his team to victory? It’s time for the games to begin!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Continue reading New Releases: September 16, 2025