FANNY'S BIG IDEA

The true story of how librarian Fanny Goldstein’s unwavering commitment to diverse books led to the 1925 creation of Jewish Book Week.

“The more you know about someone’s life, the harder it is not to like them.” These words from Fanny’s bubbe are perhaps the key theme of this uplifting book. Antisemitic persecution forced young Fanny’s family to flee Russia for a diverse immigrant neighborhood in Boston. Teachers and neighbors tried to push Fanny to assimilate, yet she stayed true to herself, sharing her culture with others and learning about theirs. Despite receiving only a grammar school education, she loved to learn and found refuge at the library. Fanny eventually became a librarian, the first Jewish branch director in Boston. There, she noticed that children rarely checked out books about their own cultures, as families prioritized fitting in as Americans. In response, she planned a weeklong celebration, setting up a display of Jewish books and sharing foods such as latkes and kugel. She spread the word in Boston and to libraries around the country, marking the first ever Jewish Book Week. Russell’s emotive art and Michelson’s earnestly expressed text reflect Fanny’s quiet, optimistic perseverance and deep appreciation for the people around her; Michelson’s insights on the importance of books as windows and mirrors feel especially relevant in light of the threats currently facing stories by and about marginalized people.

A timeless and timely tribute to the enduring power of literature and libraries to build bridges.