American Jewish Literature : A Guide to Reading Interests

by Reisner, Rosalind; Herald, Diana Tixier

• ISBN13: 9781563089848
• ISBN10: 156308984X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-10-30
• Publisher: Libraries Unltd Inc

Summary

Jewish American literature covers a broad range of genres and literary works. Some of the United States' most compelling literature centers on the American Jewish experience; some of the most acclaimed authors write from the heart of their experience as Jewish Americans. This ground-breaking work is intended to guide readers and those who advise readers in selecting fiction and nonfiction books that match specific reading interests. It is the first readers' advisory guide to Jewish American literature. Like other titles in the genreflecting advisory series, the book organizes titles by genres-mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, stories of romance, and literary fiction. In addition, there are chapters on holocaust literature and on biography/autobiography. More than 700 titles are categorized and described. Each chapter is further organized by subgenre and theme. Award-winning titles are noted, as are books that appeal to young adult readers and titles appropriate for book clubs and reading discussions. In addition, the author presents guidelines for building and maintaining a collection of Jewish literature, tips for advising readers, and lists of further resources for exploring the genre; making this a thorough and practical resource. Young adult and adult - Grades 9 and up.

Author Biography

Rosalind Reisner is currently the Program Coordinator at Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative in Freehold, New Jersey, and serves on the Editorial Board of Judaica Librarianship, published by the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	xi
Building and Maintaining a Collection of Jewish American Literature	1	(14)
Introduction	1	(1)
Review Sources	2	(2)
Print Resources	2	(2)
Online Resources	4	(1)
Publishers	4	(2)
Awards and Honors	6	(5)
National Jewish Book Awards	6	(1)
Fiction	7	(1)
First-Time Author Award	8	(1)
Autobiography/Memoir	8	(1)
Biography	9	(1)
E. L. Wallant Award	9	(1)
Koret Jewish Book Awards	10	(1)
Fiction	10	(1)
Biography, Autobiography, and Literary Studies	11	(1)
Other Sources for Recommended Titles	11	(1)
Organizations and Special Collections	11	(2)
Note	13	(2)
Mysteries and Thrillers	15	(44)
Introduction	15	(1)
Scope	16	(1)
Organization of the Chapter	16	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	17	(3)
Character	17	(1)
Plot	18	(1)
Pacing	19	(1)
Setting	19	(1)
A Note About Series	20	(1)
Mysteries	20	(24)
Anthologies	22	(1)
Amateur Detectives	22	(6)
Humorous Mysteries	28	(3)
Private Investigators	31	(3)
Police Procedurals	34	(5)
Historical Mysteries	39	(5)
Thrillers	44	(13)
Suspense	44	(3)
Legal Thrillers	47	(4)
Political Intrigue and Espionage	51	(6)
Sources for Additional Information	57	(1)
Notes	58	(1)
Historical Fiction	59	(34)
Introduction	59	(1)
Scope	60	(1)
Organization of the Chapter	61	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	61	(2)
Setting	61	(1)
Character	62	(1)
Story	63	(1)
Pacing	63	(1)
Historical Fiction	63	(27)
Biblical and Ancient Worlds	63	(3)
Dark Ages Through Early Modern History (400--1840)	66	(5)
Modern Period (1840--1950)	71	(1)
Europe	72	(1)
Eastern Europe and Russia	72	(3)
The Middle East	75	(2)
Latin America	77	(2)
United States and Canada	79	(11)
Jewish History Sources	90	(2)
Notes	92	(1)
Fantasy and Science Fiction	93	(8)
Introduction	93	(1)
Scope	93	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	94	(1)
Science Fiction and Fantasy	94	(4)
Sources for Further Reading	98	(3)
Stories of Love and Romance	101	(10)
Introduction	101	(1)
Scope	101	(1)
Organization of the Chapter	102	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	102	(1)
Stories of Love and Romance	103	(7)
Notes	110	(1)
Literary Fiction	111	(74)
Introduction	111	(1)
Scope	112	(1)
Organization of the Chapter	112	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	113	(1)
Literary Fiction	113	(69)
Anthologies	113	(3)
Classics and Major Authors	116	(18)
Character	134	(22)
Story	156	(13)
Language	169	(7)
Setting	176	(6)
Sources of Additional Information	182	(3)
Holocaust Literature: Fiction and Memoirs	185	(32)
Introduction	185	(1)
Scope	186	(1)
Organization of the Chapter	187	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	187	(1)
Fiction	187	(9)
Memoirs	196	(18)
Children's Experiences	196	(7)
Resistance and Rescue	203	(2)
Personal Narratives	205	(6)
The Next Generation	211	(3)
Sources for Additional Information About the Holocaust	214	(2)
Print Resources	214	(1)
Online Resources	215	(1)
Notes	216	(1)
Biography and Autobiography	217	(44)
Introduction	217	(1)
Scope	218	(1)
Organization of the Chapter	219	(1)
Appeal of the Genre/Advising the Reader	219	(3)
Character	220	(1)
Story	221	(1)
Language	221	(1)
Setting	221	(1)
Biographies and Autobiographies	222	(37)
Collected Biography	222	(5)
Childhood and Family	227	(13)
Public Lives	240	(14)
Spiritual Autobiographies	254	(5)
Sources of Further Information	259	(1)
Notes	260	(1)
Readers' Advisory Resources	261	(10)
Selected Sources for Learning About Judaism	261	(2)
General Sources on Readers' Advisory Service	263	(1)
Print Resources	263	(1)
Online Resources	264	(1)
Mysteries and Thrillers	264	(2)
Print Resources	264	(1)
Online Resources	265	(1)
Historical Fiction	266	(1)
Print Resources	266	(1)
Online Resources	267	(1)
Science Fiction and Fantasy	267	(1)
Print Resources	267	(1)
Online Resources	268	(1)
Stories of Love and Romance	268	(1)
Print Resources	268	(1)
Online Resources	268	(1)
Literary Fiction	268	(1)
Print Resources	268	(1)
Biography and Autobiography	269	(1)
Reading Group Resources	269	(2)
Print Resources	269	(1)
Online Resources	270	(1)
Author/Title Index	271	(26)
Subject Index	297