The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah

A National Jewish Book Award Finalist

Named a Best Jewish Children’s Book of 2024 by Tablet Magazine

A "rousing historical tale"—Publisher's Weekly

"This picture book is a delight!"—Historical Novel Society

"Jane Yolen tri­umphs once again."—Jewish Book Council

Once upon a time, girls were not allowed to learn to read. This is the story of a girl who decided to change that.

Award-wining author Jane Yolen mines her family history to bring us this stirring tale of what it feels like to be denied equality and the persistence it takes to work for change and fair treatment.

More than anything, Rochel-Leah wanted to learn to read. She wanted to read stories, and recipes, and poems that set your hair on fire. But in her small Jewish village in 19th century Russia, only boys learned to read, as they had for centuries. Still, Rochel-Leah was determined. She asked her mother and her aunties, but they couldn't read either. Her father told her to learn to cook instead. She even asked the rabbi, who said there were rules. But Rochel-Leah knew something important—she knew that rules could be changed.