“Riveting historical fiction that beautifully conjures an era of Jewish religious conflict and a girl’s yearning for an education that can make her free. This story will touch the hearts of young readers and inspire important conversations about the courage of our foremothers.” —Ruth Behar, Newbery Honor winning author of Across So Many Seas
“Authentic and extremely well researched. Arlow immerses us in the world of an eleven-year-old girl living in a 19th century shtetl in the heart of the Russian Empire. I felt the raw sting of the unfairness of her life on every page.” —Gennifer Choldenko, Newbery Honor author of Al Capone Does My Shirts
“Jake Maia Arlow has created a dazzlingly vivid and rich world, and a classic, unforgettable protagonist full of irrepressible wit and pointed observations. The Princess of the Shtetl is an exciting addition to the canon of middle grade historical fiction.” —Adam Gidwitz, Newbery Honor author of The Inquisitor’s Tale
“This is a wondrous time-machine of a book—set in a deeply immersive world, rich in tradition and historical detail. Meanwhile, our narrator Bunke snaps and sparkles, with a voice as fresh and relatable as any middle grade character in recent memory. The Princess of the Shtetl feels like an instant classic, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.” —Laurel Snyder, National Book Award finalist author of Orphan Island
“Princess of the Shtetl does what only the very best historical fiction can: it transports you utterly. Bunke’s voice is radiant with wit, curiosity, and a deeply relatable yearning to understand the world around her. This is a simply breathtaking coming-of-age story. Shelve it among the classics.” —Kate Albus, award-winning author of A Place to Hang the Moon
“I finally have an answer when people ask what books I wish I could have read as a kid, and the answer is Jake Arlow’s Princess of the Shtetl. It feels like a classic, with the wisdom and gravitas often found in much older stories, but with the life, energy, verve, and spirit of something fresh and new. A magnificent gift to middle grade historical fiction, Bunke has earned her place next to Catherine, Called Birdy.” —Kyle Lukoff, Newbery Honor-winning author of Too Bright To See
“Wow. Bunke is one of my new favorite characters, and Princess of the Shtetl is historical fiction at its best. From the very first pages, I felt the way I did reading my beloved historical fiction novels as a child—utterly transported, completely captivated.” — Tae Keller, Newbery-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
