Max Lagoy of Wildwood was chosen, along with nine other children from across the country, to join the 2014-2015 PJ Our Way National Design Team. Max is the only Missouri representative. Each team member is responsible for spurring online dialogue by creating and sharing videos, reviews and author interviews. The 11-year-old, who “enjoys reading and playing video games,” will review books and share his thoughts on which books will be posted on the PJ website.

PJ Our Way continues the legacy of PJ Library, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s popular national program which has gifted more than 5 million Jewish books to children ages 6 months to 8 years over the course of nine years. As part of the effort, each month children ages 9 to 11 who live in pilot communities are invited to choose a book and connect with others online through PJOurWay.org. This program was designed as an extension of PJ Library to give older readers the same foundation as younger children while providing them with ownership over the material and the ability to express their opinions online.

As a member of the national PJ Our Way Design Team, Max has early access to books of his choice to read and create content-based dialogue, including videos and reviews, through the PJ Our Way online portal. He also works with the nine other design team members around the country to interview authors, participate in workshops and generate discussions about the books.

The Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community Day School student also does Taekwondo, plays volleyball and is active in Boy Scouts. “I am so excited to be part of the PJ Our Way Design team,” said Max.

Jennifer Baer Lotsoff, PJ Library program coordinator for Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said “We are so thrilled for Max to be a part of the Design team this year. His energy and creativity will be an asset to the group; they are lucky to have him.”