The Prince of Steel Pier

  • Interest Level: Grade 3 - Grade 7
  • Reading Level: Grade 4

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award

A Sydney Taylor Notable Book

Tablet Magazine’s Best Jewish Kids Books of the Year

The Atlantic City Boardwalk in the summer of 1975 isn’t cutting thirteen-year-old Joey a break.

His grandparents’ hotel, the St Bonaventure, is struggling to bring in business. The city is getting more dangerous by the day. And nobody in Joey’s large, busy Jewish family will take him seriously. So when he gets a job offer from mobster Artie Bishop, known as the king of Steel Pier, Joey jumps at the chance to prove himself. Artie treats Joey like “one of the guys”—someone reliable and strong.

But running with Artie’s crew means deceiving the people he loves most and crossing lines he never questioned before. When Artie asks Joey for a very dangerous favor that puts Joey’s family at risk, Joey must decide what strength really means to him and what price he’s willing to pay for it.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-3034-8
$9.99
978-1-7284-6935-5
$22.99
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Interest Level Grade 3 - Grade 7
Reading Level Grade 4
Category SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Kar-Ben Publishing ®
Language English
Number of Pages 248
Publication Date 2022-09-01
Text Type Fiction—Historical
BISACS JUV033020, JUV016150, JUV039100
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 5.25 x 7.5
Lexile 680
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Stacy Nockowitz

Stacy Nockowitz is a middle school librarian and former language arts teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and holds master’s degrees from Columbia University Teachers College and Kent State University. Stacy lives in central Ohio with her husband and their silly dog, Lily. The Prince of Steel Pier is her first novel.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

The Prince of Steel Pier

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award A Sydney Taylor Notable Book Tablet Magazine’s Best Jewish Kids Books of the Year The Atlantic City Boardwalk in the… View available downloads →

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Awards

  • Tablet Magazine's Best Jewish Children's Books of 2022, Winner, 2022
  • Sydney Taylor Notable Book, Winner, 2022
  • National Jewish Book Award for Middle Grade Readers, Winner, 2022

Reviews

Jewish Book Council

“Filled with mys­tery, may­hem, and mean­ing­ful rela­tion­ships, this fast-paced his­tor­i­cal nov­el will cap­ture any reader’s attention.” ―Jewish Book Council

YA Books Central

“Readers will immediately connect with Joey’s character due to his kindness and good heart. They’ll feel empathy for him as his problems mount and root for him when things look worst.”―YA Books Central

Kirkus Reviews

“A tween gets in over his head in this introspective and nostalgic story.”―Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

“This is a fascinating glimpse into another time…It’s great!”―School Library Journal

Children's Book Watch

“A fun and thought-provoking read for children ages 8-13.”―Children’s Book Watch

School Library Journal

“This fast-paced middle grade novel will engage and resonate with readers. Recommended for school and public libraries looking to expand their historical fiction selection.”―School Library Journal