Sonia Levitin Brings The Return to the Stage!

Sonia Levitin is the award winning author of over 40 books. Most recently, she was honored with the Sydney Taylor Book Award for STRANGE RELATIONS (Knopf, 2007). Sonia has a new project on the horizon, a musical version of THE RETURN (Atheneum, 1987), an emotional story about Operation Moses - the rescue airlift of Ethiopian Jews. Sonia is also committed to social action and works with organizations to fight intolerance and slavery. She is a shining example of tikkun olam - repairing the world with her meaningful work. I was honored that Sonia could take time out of a very busy production schedule to share some insights about the musical.

How did the idea of creating a musical come about?

I have always loved musicals. The first one I ever saw was SOUTH PACIFIC,when I was in high school. I was hooked. I learned all the songs and love them still.To me,it is the best form of entertainment.

Of all your books, why did you choose THE RETURN to create a musical?

I think RETURN has the most to offer as a musical,with its universal theme of the longing for freedom,its inter-cultural cast of characters. I think a musical needs great variety in story content and an intriguing locale. RETURN has all of these.

Do you have a background in musical theatre?

My only background in musical theater is the love of it, and appreciation of the art form--which, incidentally, has grown tremendously as I've been working with the talented people who must join together to create a musical.

What type of research was required to write the play?

For the book I did an enormous amount of research to get the ethnographic and political/social details. I went to Israel several times and interviewed Ethiopian immigrants, anthropologists, teachers, doctors, politicians and aid workers. I studied documentary films, books, anything I could get my hands on about Ethiopia and the Beta Israel tribe--the black Jews. I traveled to other states for interviews, steeped myself in Ethiopian culture. When it came to writing the play, I re-checked my original sources and conferred quite a few times with people who have been to Ethiopia and worked there: Barbara Ribakove Gordon, executive director and founder of NACOEJ, the North America Conference of Ethiopian Jewry, and Dick and Middie Giesberg of Los Angeles, who are tireless supporters and workers in that organization.

What do you hope the audience learns from the show?

First of all I want the audience to come away from the show having had a fabulous experience of entertainment and inspiration. I want them to feel good about having been part of a rescue experience that is still going on today. I want them to be singing the wonderful songs by composer Will Anderson.I hope they will have learned that "falasha" is a pejorative, that ordinary people from the U.S., England and other nations extended their hearts and their pocketbooks to save oppressed strangers in Africa, and that the country of Israel gave them sanctuary, averting a possible genocide. I want them to realize that for the first time in all history, white people helped to bring black people out of slavery and into freedom, and that it is possible to change the world for the better.

How does it feel to see your story come to life on stage?

Watching my story come to the stage is an astounding, overwhelming feeling. When I hear the songs and see the scenes, I remember the Ethiopian immigrants who told me their stories, which I wove into the drama. It pulls me back and affects me anew each time, making me feel the emotions of sorrow, pity, anger, joy. I also feel a strong bond with the actors, director, and all the people behind the scenes who are working many, many hours every day and night to bring this show to life.

How can your fans see the show?

To see the show, call the box office at the Edgemar Theater:310-392-7327, and check out the web site at www.returnthemusical.com

What are some fun facts about you?

I am crazy about animals. My husband once pointed out that I talk to every animal I see, be it a horse, bird, dog, cat or lizard. I also love babies and children. I will hug a tree. I like to hike, to paint, to play the piano. The first is a priority, because we have two dogs who are always ready to go places. I forgive them their foibles--and they forgive mine. As in the show's premise, I do believe in "SIGNS." A little bit of magic, premonition, attention to the "Unseen" and the unusual makes life interesting, I think.

Sonia, thanks for taking the time to share the news about RETURN THE MUSICAL. It's been a delight. Break a leg!

A Righteous Project - Holocaust Memorial Day

Jillian Curtis homeschools her sons Joshua 11, and Jarret, 10. Together they embarked on a project to learn about the Holocaust and honor those whose lives were taken. They have been collecting individually made Jewish Stars which represent loved ones lost. Thus far, they have collected upwards of 500 stars. They hope to display these beautiful works in a clear star-shaped box. I was so deeply touched by their story and I wanted to share it with my readers. It was an honor for me to interview Jillian, Joshua, and Jarrett.

Tell me about your Holocaust project. What inspired you to take on this type of project?
We collect homemade stars from people that put their creative talents into it. The stars represent the Jews that lost their innocent lives because of intolerance. I wanted to teach my children that acceptance is important, that we shouldn't prejudge anyone. That History usually repeats itself. I wanted them to have a daily reminder with the memorial we'll be building with all these homemade stars. I also wanted them to know not just the Jews were affected by intolerance, and that their souls shine brightly through the stars we have received.

How did you collect the stars?
We have gotten it all through the snail-mail.

How many have you collected?
500 and counting.

What did you learn from this project?
A lot of people died because of their unwavering faith. Intolerance still happens today. I will always remember the people who sent these stars.

What kind of response have you received?
A very good one. People from all over have heard about this project, not a day goes by that we don't receive something in the mail.

How you got the word out that you were collecting the stars? Did you give people instructions or a template or are the all unique?
We got the word out mostly by my blog and emailing people, then by word of mouth. People created each one on their own.

Was there anything that resulted from this project that has surprised you?
Yes, I sent a email to Rabbi Shmuley from the TLC channel Shalom in the Home and got a response. We are so pleased with this. We are also going to be in our local paper.

Jillian and her children are a shinning example to their community, and their inspirational project will continue to touch lives and remind us all of the importance of freedom and tolerance.

You can read Jillian's blog at
http://blog-me-til-midnight.blogspot.com/

To view a news feature about Jillian, Joshua, and Jarret, click here:

http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S431130.shtml?cat=10151

Interview with Families Online Magazine

Hi Friends,

Last week I was interviewed by Geraldine Jensen, editor of Families Online Magazine for her radio show. We had a wonderful chat about kids, reading, and books for all ages.

Check it out: www.blogtalkradio.com/families/2008/04/04/Encourage-Kids-to-Read-

Happy Listening!

Welcome Editor Alexandra Cooper!

Alexandra Cooper is an editor at Simon and Schuster. I met Alexandra at a recent SCBWI Writer’s Retreat. She was kind enough to answer some questions about Jewish books, and her role as an editor. Many people wonder about the editor’s perspective, and I’m delighted to share Alexandra’s thoughts on Jewish literature for children.

As an editor in a mainstream publishing house are you able to produce books that fit into the genre of Jewish children's literature?

I think so. Every editor has to have a balanced list, between novels and picture books and also between more commercial and more literary projects. I would count Jewishly-themed books as a part of my mix, and I am definitely enthusiastic about editing books of Jewish interest. It's about striking that balance--no editor can publish books meant only for one audience, unless that editor is at a publishing house exclusively devoted to that particular audience. As an editor at a general trade house, I think I have the opportunity to raise awareness and bring books I love to a wider population.

Are there any unique marketing issues with a book that has a Jewish thread?

The Jewish community in particular has some wonderful resources, so there are a number of opportunities for books of Jewish interest to reach their target audience. But what about expanding beyond that base? I wouldn't want a person to pick up a book, then realize that the book has some Jewish content and think, "That's not for me." Every book has a specific theme, but the challenge is to make that translate universally so the book speaks to a wide audience, not just those readers who could directly relate to the protagonist.

Is there a Jewish topic that is not well represented in mainstream books that you would like to see?

That's a tough question! I'm looking for books that appeal to a wide audience, but at the same time, aren't just another book that's similar to what's already been published, or to a book I've already edited. There are all kinds of topics, Jewish and not, that aren't necessarily what I'd call well-represented by general publishers, but that's also not the mission of a mainstream house. I think that more and more, specialized publishers are going to gain traction, because they will be able to put out strong books meant for a specific audience, books that will be found and embraced by that specific audience. It's already happening with the recording industry and with movie-making--smaller companies are finding it easier to brand themselves by creating niches.

Do you have any book in your previous or current list you would like to mention?

I edited a middle-grade novel called THE TRUTH ABOUT MY BAT MITZVAH, by Nora Raleigh Baskin, that I'm really excited about. It centers around a girl who is just discovering her Jewish identity--her mother is Jewish but her father isn't, and her best friend is starting to plan her own bat mitzvah. I think Nora absolutely captured how it feels to be in seventh grade and confused about everything, trying to navigate friendships and boys and school, and the character here is also struggling with religion, tradition, and family.

What was your favorite book as a child?

I couldn't pick only one--I think that's part of the reason I work in children's books now! I remember loving Ferdinand the Bull, Caps for Sale, and the Frog and Toad stories, to name a mere

Alexandra, thanks so much for sharing your words of wisdom!

Welcoming Steve Sheinkin and Rabbi Harvey!

Graphic novels are a growing genre in children's literature. Steve Sheinkin has created a series young readers love. He is the writer and illustrator of The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey (Jewish Lights), for which he won Moment Magazine's Emerging Writer Award in children's literature in 2006. The new follow-up, Rabbi Harvey Rides Again, was published by Jewish Lights in March 2008. Steve lives with his wife and daughter in Brooklyn, NY. I recently met Steve at the Jewish Literature for Children conference in Los Angeles. Be sure to check out his newest book!

Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why you were drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?

Rabbi Harvey Rides Again is a graphic novel of Jewish folktales, creatively retold and let loose in the Wild West. Harvey’s part old world rabbi, part western sheriff. He protects his town and delivers justice wielding only the weapons of wisdom, wit, and a bit of trickery. This book is a follow-up to The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey, for which I was honored to win Moment Magazine’s Emerging Writer Award in children’s literature in 2006.

I grew up loving both Jewish folktales and stories of the American West. So I guess Jewish and American folklore were mixing in my head for years, and these Rabbi Harvey stories are the result. One thing I love about retelling these classic tales is the opportunity to add my own characters and dialogue—and lots of jokes.

What type of research was involved?

The “research” was a pleasure. Basically, I read every book of traditional Jewish stories, Talmudic wisdom, and Hassidic tales I could find. I started with my own books, most of which once belonged to my father—the real Jewish scholar in our family, and a major inspiration for the Harvey character. Then I branched out to libraries and on-line searches. What I love to do is find a few great stories or gems of wisdom, and then figure out a way to weave them into a single narrative.

How did you become a children’s writer?

For years I researched and wrote history textbooks for a living. And time after time, I watched nervous editors cut out all the best stories. This was so frustrating that I finally started writing my own history books for kids, packing them with all the amazing, funny, and gross stories and quotes that never make it into textbooks. A couple of these books will be coming out with Roaring Brook Press later this year.

My approach to Rabbi Harvey has been kind of similar. I would never set out to preach to kids about Jewish ethics. But I do love to take this wealth of material, and figure out ways of making it funny and accessible to young readers. My favorite quote about the first Rabbi Harvey book came a from Publisher’s Weekly reviewer, who said: “Harvey’s adventures are so much fun, you hardly realize you’re learning anything until it’s too late.”

Was it difficult for you to get these books published?

The first Rabbi Harvey book went through about eight years of steady rejections before it was finally published by Jewish Lights in 2006. The concept of setting Jewish folktales in the Wild West, and doing it all in graphic novel format, is a bit strange, apparently. At least, that’s what publishing companies told me. But I just kept thinking about myself as a kid, picturing myself reading Rabbi Harvey. I knew I would have liked it, and that encouraged me to keep trying to get it out there to other readers.

What are you working on now?

I hope to begin work on a third volume of Rabbi Harvey stories later this year. My goal is to keep the series going, so we’ll see… And I’m always plugging away on new history projects, hoping to prove to kids that history is actually exciting (they never believe it when you just tell them).

What are a few fun facts about you?

I live in Brooklyn, NY, with my wife, Rachel, and our young daughter, Anna. Anna’s not exactly a Rabbi Harvey fan yet. In fact, when I showed her the first book, she attempted to eat it. I love to get out of the city and into nature whenever possible, and I help maintain a hiking trail along the Hudson River about an hour north of NYC.

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite has always been Pesach, because it’s so much about telling and re-telling wonderful stories. Sure, my uncle offers the same exact commentaries year after year, but even that’s part of the fun. And every year, before the seder, I can research some new angle, some new interpretation or insight, and use it to spark conversation and debate. I think Rabbi Harvey would lead a great Seder, though I’m not really qualified to say exactly what he might do.

Steve, thanks for visiting! To learn more about Rabbi Harvey visit www.rabbiharvey.com

Welcoming Jacqueline Jules!

Jacqueline Jules has made some terrific contributions to Jewish literature for children, and it is an honor to share her interview on my blog. Jacqueline Jules is the author of nine children's books including The Hardest Word (Kar-Ben), The Ziz and the Hanukkah Miracle(Kar-Ben), No English (Mitten Press), Abraham's Search for God (Kar-Ben), and the recently released Sarah Laughs (Kar-Ben). The Hardest Word and Abraham's Search for God were named Notable Books for Younger readers by the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee. She is also a public elementary school librarian, who teaches weekly classes to students from preschool through sixth grade. The mother of two grown sons, she lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband, Alan, the webmaster for www.jacquelinejules.com.

Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why you were drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?

To talk about my latest book, Sarah Laughs (Kar-Ben, 2008), I need to talk a little bit about its companion book, Abraham's Search for God (Kar-Ben, 2007). Both books are part of a Bible series I am doing for Kar-Ben Publishing. The original idea for Abraham's Search for God came to me in 2001, when I was working as a synagogue librarian at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC. One of the religious school teachers asked me for a book for young children on our patriarch Abraham. I couldn't find anything suitable in the children's collection. Since the library had an endowment for children's books, I tried finding something I could purchase. Everything available had too many words and not enough pictures for young children. I realized that there was a need for a more child-friendly introduction to Abraham. That inspired me. My work as a librarian frequently leads me to the topics I choose to write about. Librarians love connecting readers with books. When I have no existing book to fill a request, I find myself itching to write one. Maybe I have an overwhelming need to please, but my creative juices start pumping when I see a need for something that doesn't currently exist.

It took several years to get a book contract for Abraham's Search for God. However, when Kar-Ben purchased it, they requested a book about Sarah as well. I agreed because my research into available children's books on Abraham had taught me that there was a need for children's book on the matriarchs as well as the patriarchs.

Sarah Laughs tells the familiar bible story of Abraham's journey to Canaan, through his wife, Sarah's, eyes. It imagines the thoughts that must have twirled in Sarah's mind when Abraham told her they were leaving their comfortable home in Ur to go to an unknown place. Sarah had fears and concerns, but she was a true partner in everything her husband did. The story follows the couple through years of traveling in Canaan, ending with Isaac's birth, when Sarah uttered her famous laugh.

What type of research was involved?

I did extensive research for Sarah Laughs. My main sources, which are listed on the last page of the book are Biblical Images by Adin Steinsaltz; Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary edited by David Lieber; Daughters of Fire by Fran Manushkin; Legends of the Bible by Louis Ginzberg; Miriam’s Well by Alice Bach; Pentateuch & Haftorahs, second edition, edited by J.H. Hertz; Reading the Old Testament by Lawrence Boadt;Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler;Wrestling with Angels by Naomi Rosenblatt. The Torah does not describe Sarah or her feelings in great detail, so I had often had to rely on midrash.

As a librarian, research comes naturally to me. Librarians love digging up facts. And once I start researching a subject, it becomes an exciting adventure.

How did you become a children’s writer?

I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't want to be a writer. Long before I wanted to be a librarian, before I wanted to be a wife and a mother, I wanted to be a writer. I have always loved to read. Books took me to different worlds. They introduced me to interesting people. They were magical. The idea of creating something myself that gave me such pleasure was very appealing to me, even as child of nine. In third grade, when my teacher asked us all to put our career goals down on a strip of construction paper for a bulletin board, I wrote down "writer."

In 1979, I got a BA in Writing at The University of Pittsburgh, becoming one of the first undergraduates of a newly established writing program. However, it was many years before I realized that most of the protagonists in my stories were young people and I should start marketing my work to children's publishers. Some of the same stories that were rejected by adult publishers were accepted by children's magazines. That's when I began to focus on writing for children. A little while later, when I went back to school to become a librarian, I found myself mesmerized by the children's literature courses. While I have worked as a Judaica librarian, serving both children and adults, my first love is for children's literature, and I am happiest working in an elementary school library as I do now. I am a voracious reader, but I only read one or two adult books (outside of my research) a year.

What are you working on now?

The Princess and the Ziz (Kar-Ben Publishing), the fourth book in the Ziz series, which began in 2001 with The Hardest Word, will be released in Fall 2008. This story is an extension of a tale about King Solomon's daughter, in which I first encountered the gigantic mythical bird called the Ziz. In The Princess and the Ziz, the eager lovable Ziz takes the princess on a joyful trip around the world. But when she falls in love with a young man, the Ziz becomes jealous and problems follow.

In the spring of 2009, Charlesbridge Publishing will release Unite or Die, a book about the Constitutional Convention of 1787. While I did a great deal of research for this book, it is not entirely nonfiction, since the characters in the book are the quarreling thirteen original states.

What are a few fun facts about you?

In addition to reading and writing, I like to sing. Before story time in my school library, my youngest students and I always sing for about ten minutes. Some of the songs are from children's tapes I listen to in the car, and others are ones I have simply made up. I also love puppets. I have a huge collection of them, including a Ziz puppet I asked an artist to make for me. My puppets love to kiss little cheeks as we sing songs in the library or at my author appearances.

My favorite color at the moment is purple. Two summers ago, I redecorated my bedroom with purple paint, purple carpet, purple bedspread, and purple sheets. Many of my clothes are purple including my winter coat and favorite earrings. I recently purchased a purple purse.

What is your favorite holiday?

My fondest holiday memories are of Rosh Hashanah when I was a child. I grew up in a small congregation of less than one hundred families in a small southern town. After Rosh Hashanah evening services, there was an Oneg for the entire congregation. We would stay for hours after services, eating delicious cookies and talking. I also remember feeling special in the new dress and shoes my parents bought me for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. One day, I hope to write a story that captures the joy of celebrating the holidays in a small congregation.

Jacqueline, it has been a delight getting to know you! For more information about Jaqueline or her books, visit her web site at www.jacquelinejules.com

Welcome Sid Fleischman!

Last week at the Jewish Literature for Children conference in Los Angeles, I had the honor of sitting with Newbury author Sid Fleischman. I have read and admired Sid's work for many years, but never had the opportunity to meet him in person. Sid was charming, kind, and gracious enough to blog chat with me about his newest book, THE ENTERTAINER AND THE DYBBUK(Greenwillow), which won a Sydney Taylor Book Award for older readers. Both children and adults should read THE ENTERTAINER AND THE DYBBUK, a tribute to the children of the Holocaust. The story brings to life an important part history through the character of Avrom the dybbuk, who takes over the life of Great Freddie, a ventriloquist. The relationship that develops between the two characters is warm, touching, and surprisingly humorous. I'm thrilled to interview Sid about his latest work.

The Entertainer and the Dybbuk is your first book about the Holocaust. What was the inspiration for the book?

I think every Jewish novelist wants to deal with this most dramatic and disturbing event in our lives. But what can you say? Through the years my thoughts have returned again and again to the nightmare and in particular to the murder, beyond belief, of the 1 1/2 million Jewish children. It was only after I began thinking of a dybbuk as the illuminating character in a novel that I found a fresh way of dealing with the Holocaust.

Do you have experience as a ventriloquist?

None as a performer, though many of my magician friends do vent acts. It is, after all, a bit of magic to throw the voice. Still, when I was nine or ten, I saw an adv in a Johnson Smith catalogue of novelties (magic tricks, joke books, stage beards and makeup, etc.) offering Ventrillo, a device that allowed you to throw your voice into a trunk, and so forth. I believe the price was ten cents. Anyway, I sent for one and was disappointed to receive a rubber warbling device you put on your tongue -- the same device sold to make bird calls. My career as a ventriloquist or bird caller ended on the spot. But in writing the book, I talked over technical problems with friends who were pros.

The concept of a dybbuk might be unfamiliar to kids. How have readers
responded to this aspect of the story?

Yes, even among Jews, I have found only spotty familiarity. But they respond immediately and with fascination when the dybbuk is explained. Kids, especially, to discover there is a well-defined Jewish ghost lurking about. From mail I have received so far, kids especially are enchanted with Avrom, the dybbuk in the novel, and particularly the ending when he tricks the villain into confessing.

Of all the books you have written, do you have a favorite?

Almost always the last book I have written, out of sheer relief to have gotten the story on paper. I'd have to say, the novel I find myself thinking about the most these days is The Entertainer and the Dybbuk. At other times the book that has pleased me the most is By the Great Horn Spoon! and more recently, ESCAPE! The Story of the Great Houdini. Impossible to pick an absolute favorite.

Can we expect another book soon?

Yes. THE TROUBLE BEGINS AT 8, a biography of Mark Twain, due out in May.Due in 2009,THE DREAM STEALER. I've been busy.

Sid, we look forward to seeing you new books on the shelves. Thank you for all your contributions to children's literature. I know you will continue to inspire readers, writers, and librarians for years to come!

To learn more about Sid please visit his web site at www.SidFleischman.com

Welcome Brenda Ferber

I’m thrilled to introduce Brenda Ferber, the author of JULIA’S KITCHEN (Farrar Straus & Giroux), a sensitive novel of love, loss, and healing. JULIA’S KITCHEN was honored with the Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner in 2007. Brenda’s fans will be delighted to learn that she has two more books coming out, JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE, (FSG, 2009) and THE YUCKIEST, DROOLIEST, STINKIEST, BEST VALENTINE'S DAY EVER, (Harcourt 2011). Brenda lives in Illinois with her husband, three children, two cats, and one rabbit. Brenda was willing to take a little time away from her busy writing schedule to talk about her work.

Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why you were drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?

JULIA’S KITCHEN is about an 11-year-old Jewish girl finding hope and resiliency after her mom and sister die in a house fire. My initial inspiration was to write about grief, about coping in life when the worst possible thing happens. I was interested in the relationship people have with God when tragedy strikes. So often, people thank God for all their blessings in life, but does that then mean God is to blame when something awful happens? That was the question I explored in JULIA’S KITCHEN. Because I’m Jewish, it was natural for me to write about a Jewish character and to have a Jewish perspective on God’s role in our lives.

What type of research was involved?

I spoke with my rabbi and read a lot of books about the Jewish mourning experience. I also spoke at length with a friend of mine whose mother had recently passed away. She showed me how beautiful the grieving process can be. And I interviewed a firefighter to make sure everything about the fire made sense.

How did you become a children’s writer?

I always dreamed of becoming a children’s book author, but I never thought it was a realistic goal. When my three kids were born, I was staying at home, not making any money anyway, so I figured it was as good a time as any to try my hand at writing. I took classes, read practically everything in the children’s department at my library, joined a critique group, wrote, and revised and revised and revised. A few years later I sold two stories to Ladybug magazine. And then I sold JULIA’S KITCHEN to Farrar Straus & Giroux!

What are you working on now?

I have a second novel for kids, JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE, coming out in spring, 2009. It’s about friendship troubles, water-skiing fiascos, and sailing adventures at an overnight camp in northern Wisconsin. I also have a picture book called, THE YUCKIEST, DROOLIEST, STINKIEST, BEST VALENTINE’S DAY EVER, coming out sometime in the future.

What are a few fun facts about you?

I’m addicted to my flat iron.
I have never broken a bone.
I once got out of a speeding ticket by singing, “Hail to the Victors” (the University of Michigan fight song) in front of a full courthouse.

What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. Ever since I was a little girl, our family has had a tradition of going bowling the morning of Thanksgiving. Then we feast that night. I love spending carefree time with my extended family!

What were the challenges you faced in writing a middle grade novel about death and loss?

The biggest challenge was in being honest with my main character’s emotions. I’m a naturally optimistic, cheery sort of person. I wanted Cara, the main character, to be happy, despite her loss. Luckily, my critique group and my editor pushed me to go deep into her grief and to really explore those feelings. And luckily, too, my optimism seeped into the manuscript so that the story has a quality of hope to it, rather than simply being a great big sob-fest.

What concerns did you have for your young readers?

I am concerned that people might think of JULIA’S KITCHEN as bibliotherapy… a kid loses a parent or sibling, and some thoughtful friend or relative gives the kid this book. That kind of thing makes me really uncomfortable. Maybe there are children who would like that, but I don’t know. I think if you’ve actually lived through that kind of tragedy, you might prefer reading about something else entirely… at least until enough time has passed. I think JULIA’S KITCHEN should be thought of more as a vaccination… the kind of book children read before tragedy strikes. Then when they have to deal with something hard (not only death, but divorce, or illness, or any other kind of change or loss), hopefully Cara’s story will be in their cellular memory, in their soul. Cara’s resiliency will rub off on them without them even realizing it. That’s my greatest hope!

Brenda, thank you so much for such a thoughtful discussion. I have no doubt that Cara will leave a lasting impression on your readers. For more information about Brenda, please check out her web site at www.BrendaFerber.com

Jewish Literature for Children - Western Regional Conference

Yesterday I attended the Jewish Literature for Children Western Regional Conference. This fabulous annual event was held at Sinai Temple is Los Angeles. In attendance were authors, teachers, librarians, and more. The theme of this year’s conference was “Focus on Illustration,” and included an impressive line up of speakers. The event opened with Lois Sarkaissian from Every Picture Tells a Story, a local art gallery which represents numerous book illustrators. Lois offered an historical overview of children’s illustration that informed and enlighted us all. Next came the wonderful panel of speakers including Melissa Moss, Elisa Kleven, Amalia Hoffman, and Steven Sheinkin.

After a delicious lunch, I attended a session on collage with Elisa. She explained that collage is a great medium for those of us who think we can’t draw – which is exactly why I chose the session! We cut, glued, and created our pieces with abandon! Collage is a terrific way to get those creative juices going. The final event was a storytelling by Amalia Hoffman. Her retelling of a Purim folktale was charming and captivating. What a terrific way to spend a Sunday. Plus, I had the chance to catch up with old friends and make some new connections, too! I can’t wait until next year.

Many thanks to Susan Dubin, Lisa Silverman, Judy Cohn, Ellen Cole, Sinai Blumenthal Library, Association of Jewish Libraries, and Association of Jewish Libraries of Southern California

New York City May Close Beloved Library

I heart NY. Although I have never been a resident, the city that never sleeps has always been one of my favorite destination spots. There is something for everyone in New York, and one of the most treasured attractions is the Central Children's Reading Room in Midtown Manhattan, home to the original Winnie-the-Pooh toy collection. The sad news is that the library may be closing to make way for a hotel. If you have a special memory of the library you would like to share, please visit www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog

Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee!

I am proud to formally announce my affiliation with the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee. The Sydney Taylor book awards are given to those books deemed to be the best in Jewish Children’s Literature. I feel honored to be a part of this important process. As a child, I was an avid reader of Sydney Taylor’s All of a Kind Family Books. The sisters in the books, Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie, were my friends. I have no doubt that their stories shaped my childhood and continue to inspire me as a reader, writer, and reviewer. In a sense, being on the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee feels like coming home. If you would like to know more about the award, please visit www.SydneyTaylorBookAward.org

Jillian's New York Adventure

It's a little bit off topic, but I wanted to share my daughter Jillian's experience at Teen Vogue Fashion University in New York last fall. You can read all about it in the Acorn, our local newspaper.

Here's the link: http://www.theacorn.com/news/2008/0110/Community/030.html

SCBWI Retreat

I have just returned from the most glorious SCBWI retreat held at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, organized by Alexis O’Neill, our tireless leader, whose dedication to children’s writers has fostered a community of storytellers. The weekend offered opportunities to work on manuscripts, meet new people, and visit with old friends in a relaxed and serene environment. I was one of forty writers who shared our work with each other as well as three (yes, three!) editors, including Stacy Cantor from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, Alexandra Cooper from Walker Books for Young Readers, and Kristin Daly from HarperCollins Children’s Books. These lovely young women read and critiqued manuscripts until their eyes were bleary.

Throughout the weekend, participants supported and encouraged each other, with the unspoken knowledge of how precious each manuscript is to its writer. This generosity of spirit and sense of kinship have given me the inspiration I need to do my best work, and I am deeply grateful. I’m looking forward to the months ahead as I continue to post interviews, write book reviews, revise manuscripts, and begin my work as a member of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee.

Linda Silver - Jewish Values Finder

I am delighted to welcome Linda Silver to my blog. Linda is a specialist in Jewish children's literature. A retired librarian, Linda has worked in school and public libraries as well as in synagogue and Jewish educational libraries.

Her professional activities include leadership positions in the Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC/ALA) and in the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL). She has been a member of the Newbery-Caldecott Committee, an ALSC board member, president of the School, Synagogue, and Center Division of AJL, president of the Cleveland AJL chapter, and chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee. In 2004, Linda received the AJL's Fanny Goldstein Merit Award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and to the profession of Judaic librarianship. She teaches workshops and gives talks on Jewish children's literature and writes about it extensively as a reviewer and co-editor of children's book reviews for the AJL Newsletter and as editor of the online Jewish Valuesfinder,www.ajljewishvalues.org.

Linda's most recent publication is a book published in 2008 by Neal-Schuman entitled The Jewish Values Finder: A Guide to Values in Jewish Children's Literature. Past publications include Jewish Classics for Kids (AJL, 2006), Excellence in Jewish Children’s Literature: A Guide for Book Selectors, Reviewers and Award Judges (AJL, 2003), and Developing a Judaic Children’s Collection (AJL, 2001) as well as many magazine, journal, and newspaper articles. Her current writing project is a guide to Jewish children's literature for the Jewish Publication Society. Linda lives with her husband in Cleveland, Ohio.

Linda’s contribution to children’s literature is inspiring. I’m honored that she was able to spend some time to share her knowledge and experience.

Tell me a little bit about the history of Jewish Values Finder and how parents, educators and librarians can access the information.

The predecessor of the Jewish Valuesfinder was Marcia Posner's Juvenile Judaica, a print publication that listed books of Jewish content, briefly described them, and gave their subjects and themes. After the first edition, which was published in 1985 and sold by AJL, several supplements were issued. Publication was suspended around 1995. In 2002, Marcia asked me to create a new publication that would continue her work in some form. She contributed the funds needed to develop the online guide, which was launched in 2003 and is accessible to anyone with a computer at www.ajljewishvalues.org. The publishing director at Neal-Schuman read an article about the Jewish Valuesfinder and contacted me, asking if I would write a book.

What drew you to create such a database?

Although more and more books of Jewish content for kids were being published, there was very little written about them. Individual reviews and short bibliographies existed but nothing that compiled all of that burgeoning literature on a continuous basis or evaluated it or identified it by the Jewish values embodied in it. As a Judaic librarian in synagogues and a bureau of Jewish education, I was very aware of how often parents and teachers looked for literature that was rich in Jewish values and how there were no guides to help find it.

This month the Jewish Values Finder was published in book form. How does the book differ from the web site? Will there be updated versions available every year?

The book contains information that the online does not, including a history of Jewish children's literature in America, selection criteria for books of Jewish content, collection development guidelines, and a list of Jewish publishers. While the online guide identifies books by more than 100 separate values, The Jewish Values Finder book organizes books by eighteen different values - each one conceptualized rather broadly. The chapter on mitzvot, for example, includes books that would be identified by many different mitzvot in the online guide. The book is portable; the online guide is not. The book is finite in the number of titles it contains whereas new titles are always being added to the online guide, which already contains books published in 2008. As for updates, I don't know what the publisher's plans are and suppose they depend on how well this book does.

If an author or publisher wants a book considered for inclusion in the Jewish Values Finder is there a submission process?

Anyone who wants a book for children or teens considered for the Valuesfinder can send me a copy for review. First, they should read about the criteria for selecting titles for inclusion in the Valuesfinder by going to www.ajljewishvalues.org. They can also email me at silverlr@roadrunner.com.

Do you see any significant trends in Jewish literature for children?

There's more Jewish "chicklit" being written and more novels for teens in general. Overall, they make me cringe: “chicklit" celebrates the very traits which sexist adult novels have always associated with women, traits that brand women as petty, materialistic, narcisistic, concerned mainly with their looks and how much money they can spend. The focus in most books for teens is on the self - on the main character and her or his personal, often narrow, concerns. There is very little sense of peoplehood or of being a part of the nation of Israel. In this sense, they are anti-Jewish.

Are there any books “missing” from the genre that you would like to see published?

The art of the picture book is one of the highest achievements in modern children's literature but there's little evidence of that among picture books of Jewish content, whose illustrations are usually banal or at best, pretty. I'm also struck by how conservative, how safe most books of Jewish content are. By this, I don't mean I yearn for the vulgarity that is so commercially successful in secular books for kids but I do wish there was more off-beat or experimental writing, more mischief, more fantasy. For this to happen, reviewers are going to have to be more welcoming of the off-beat and publishers less risk-averse.

Linda, thank you for your commitment to children’s literature!

Meredith Resnick's Writer Blog

My friend Meredith has a new writer blog. If you are looking for inspiration or some kidred soul connection, it's the place for you!

I stopped by to share my thoughts about "voice" with Meredith. Check it out:

http://fullread.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-voice-not-someone-elses.html

Happy Writing!

Phyllis Mattson - War Orphan in San Francisco

Phyllis Helene Mattson the author of WAR ORPHAN IN SAN FRANCISCO, a memoir based on her life as an orphan during World War II. Her father was forced to leave Austria, and her mother was unable to obtain the required paperwork to leave, but was able to find Kindertransport to take her daughter to safety. Phyllis was ten years old when she left her parents. She chronicled this period with letters she wrote describing her life, including her experiences in numerous Foster homes and an orphanage. Phyllis hopes that sharing her story will help a younger generation “learn about the struggles that some children have as the result of war.” Phyllis is a mother and grandmother, has been a member of the Peace Corps, and is currently a college teacher in Northern California.

You came to the United States when you were 10 without your parents. How did that happen? Why didn’t they come with you?
Father forced to leave Austria in 1939, mother didn’t have an affidavit, so she found a Kindertransport for me.

Tell us about the journey. Were you scared?
Mother had prepared me for it, and she promised she would soon be there.

You lived with an aunt, but only for a brief time. What happened?
I left my aunt’s because she had only planned to have me a short time, and she was very busy. I added a burden to the already small space and her husband was ill. So it was more for her reasons than anything I wanted or did. We remained in touch after I left.

What happened to your parents?
Father became a British POW (an error) and sent to Australia. Mother was sent to Germany twice to labor, then shipped to Minsk where she died.

How did your separation from your parents affect your life?
It made me very independent. I learned to plan for the things I really wanted, such as an education. I’ve had an extraordinary life, with many rewarding experiences such as teaching, traveling, service, and of course, many, many, friends to replace the family that I lost.

What are you working on now?
My China adventures.

What are a few fun facts about you?
I've traveled the world and just got back from 6th trip to China

What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving and 4th of July

You can learn more about Phyllis and her inspirational story at www.StevensCreekpress.com.

Sarah Lamstein - LETTER ON THE WIND

I am happy to welcome Sarah Lamstein to my blog! Sarah crafts heart- filled stories that are loved by children, parents, teachers, and librarians. Her newest picture book, LETTER ON THE WIND (Boyds Mills Press) just received a Sydney Taylor Honor Award for picture books.

Congratulations on the Sydney Taylor Book Award! How did you hear the news?

I received a very tantalizing email from Rachel Kamin, the chair of the Sydney Taylor Award committee asking me to call her. I did and was thrilled to hear that Letter on the Wind was selected as an Honor book. I was glad I could directly hear her enthusiasm for the work of her committee and that I could convey my excitement to her. It was great!!

Tell me a little about the book.

Letter on the Wind, a Chanukah tale, is a story of faith and generosity, skepticism and innocence. When a Middle Eastern village suffers a drought and the olives hang withered on the trees, the villagers cannot make olive oil to light their menorahs. They are resigned to a year without Chanukah, but one man, the poorest in the village, won’t accept that possibility. He writes a letter to the Almighty, asking for help with the dilemma. Help arrives, but with it come complications.

This tale reminds readers of the first Chanukah and of Mattathias’ bravery in protecting his faith.

Why were you drawn to a Jewish theme?

My first Jewish-themed book, Annie’s Shabbat, was a paean to the Shabos of my childhood. My editor asked if I could write a story like Annie’s Shabbat, but about Chanukah. Chanukah wasn’t as rich for me as our weekly observance of the Sabbath, with is preparation, its feast, its shul, its Havdalah, its time of peace and family. I could have written a Chanukah story about going to Joel Feldman’s each year, where his mother served a delicious meal, his grandfather being a butcher and always supplying his family with the fattest and juiciest hotdogs to go with our latkes.

My editor suggested that instead I research Jewish folktales to find one for Chanukah. Dov Noy’s Folktales of Israel proved a valuable source. One of the stories, a Passover tale entitled “Letter to the Almighty” captivated me with its image of a poor, innocent man sending a letter to the Almighty on the wind. It was the poetry of that image that set me to writing Letter on the Wind.

How much research was required to write the book?

I wanted to set the tale in the Middle East – a place of olive groves – in, say, the sixteenth century. I researched Jewish communal living in that time and place, found little, and broadened my scope to just plain communal living. I also looked a bit into the horticulture of olive trees and the process of making olive oil. I believe the illustrator, Neil Waldman, researched, among other things, menorahs. But rather than from research, the setting of the tale came more from my intuition and imagination.

How did you become a children’s writer?

After my first child was born, I began to explore writing for children but spent most of my early mothering years writing poetry. When our family spent two summers in Nepal for my husband’s work, I was drawn to the folk literature of the country and worked with a Nepali writer to produce a collection of tales for American readers. That project, From the Mango Tree and Other Folktales from Nepal, set me on the path to writing for children.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on old manuscript – something I’ve been clinging to for twenty years – a work of nonfiction for older readers. And in the back of my mind is a middle grade novel with a Jewish theme.

What are some fun facts about you?

I’m a puppeteer.
I love Motown.
I can play the Third Man Theme on my nose.

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Pesach because it involves a full table – filled with food and people gathered around it. I love the opportunity for discussion. I love the singing. But most of all, I love the long preparation – the quiet time in my kitchen preparing the ancient symbols – the roasted egg, the roasted shank bone, the horseradish, the charoseth. I feel like my mother, performing the same tasks as she. I feel like a part of a rich continuum.

To learn more about Sarah, please visit her web site at www.SarahLamstein.com

Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts about writing books for children. Congratulations on your well deserved Sydney Taylor Honor Award!

Sydney Taylor Book Awards Announced!

Hi Friends,

I thought you might be interested to know that the Sydney Taylor Book Awards have been announced. You can check it out on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SydneyTaylorAward

To see a full list of the awards, click here:

http://sydneytaylorbookaward.blogspot.com/


Mazel Tov to all the winners!

Michelle Edwards - Chicken Man

Happy New Year friends and fellow book lovers! I know you will enjoy my first interview of the year with the talented author/illustrator, Michelle Edwards. Michelle has written and/or illustrated several picture books. Her most recent book is a new release of an old favorite, CHICKEN MAN. I’m delighted to welcome Michelle to my blog!

Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why you were drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?

My newest book, Chicken Man (January 2008) is actually one of the first books I wrote and illustrated. It will have a new cover and author’s note.

I wrote Chicken Man after living and working on Kibbutz Mizra. I had a friend who worked in the lul, the chicken coop. His charming stories of the chickens and the fun he had in the lul convinced me to work there, too. It was a horrible place and I hated the chickens. That’s when I learned about the power of stories.

What type of research was involved?

I guess you could say that my research was my short, but very memorable tenure in the Kibbutz Mizra chicken coop.

How did you become a children’s writer?

During my first stay in Israel (1974) I filled sketch books with stories and pictures. I knew I wanted to be an artist. One day, I realized that children’s books told stories this way. So I started to teach myself about writing and illustrating for children. It has been a very long course. I am still learning.

What are you working on now?

A book called THE GRAVEL ROAD GANG.

What are a few fun acts about you?

My childhood nickname, Mush. Still in use.
I knit socks!
I love comic books.
I save stamps. And sometimes their envelopes.

What is your favorite holiday?

Rosh Hashanah! I love beginnings. And apples and the first signs of autumn.

Here's to a fabulous new beginning for Chicken Man! Michelle, thanks for stopping by!

To learn more about Michelle and her other wonderful books, please visit her web site at www.MichelleEdwards.com

Pamela Ehrenberg - Ethan Suspended

Pamela Ehrenberg is the author of ETHAN SUSPENDED, a multi-layered novel about a boy who moves into the home of his grandparents. ETHAN SUSPENDED is a wonderful example of a growing genre in Jewish kidlit, with a strong Jewish character in a story that will appeal to kids of all backgrounds. Pamela is a former teacher. She currently lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and young daughter. I’m so happy to welcome Pamela and share her thoughts about writing.

Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why were you drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?

Ethan, Suspended (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers) was published in March 2007; it's about a kid who moves to Washington, DC, to live with his grandparents and becomes the only white, and Jewish, student at his junior high school. He also becomes the world's first jazz oboist.

I don't think I consciously chose to write about Jewish characters; it was more like as they talked (and ate) I realized that of course they were Jewish. Exploring the history of Ethan's family in DC, and why his grandparents stayed put as their friends moved out to the suburbs, made me want to learn about Jewish roles during the Civil Rights Movement and past and present relationships between Jewish and African-American communities.

What type of research was involved?

Mostly it was the first-hand experience of teaching in a DC junior high. The school Ethan attends is fictional, but the setting was inspired by a school where I taught seventh and eighth-grade English a few years ago. As I was writing, I found gaps in my knowledge that led me to do some research at the DC Historical Society and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (the stairwell of which appears in the book itself, as the site of the novel's one kiss). I also researched a few questions online, such as when I needed to know what flavors Fruit-by-the-Foot comes in.

How did you become a children's writer?

I think I've always been one: I remember "writing" a story in kindergarten and being dismayed when the ending was misinterpreted by one of my classmates. That was when I first thought about the relationship between writer and reader, how what I put on the page doesn't matter nearly as much as what the reader thinks is there. As an English major in college, I spent a couple of years trying to write "literary" short stories, until a professor returned a draft to me with the note, "This sounds like the first chapter of a young people's novel." That comment freed me to write what I had always loved.

What are you working on now?

I'm working on edits for my new book, currently called "Tillman County Fire," which is due out from Eerdmans in late 2008 or early 2009. It's about a fire that takes place in a rural West Virginia community--one of the main characters is one-quarter Jewish (through his father), so we'll see whether it's ultimately considered "Jewish book." And I'm also working on a new novel, about a Jewish extended family in 1950s Baltimore.

A few fun facts about me:

I live in Washington, D.C., with my husband Eric and daughter Talia (age 2.5 as of this writing). Neighborhood favorites include Butterscotch and Brownie, the gerbils in the kids' area of our library; a phenomenal Tot Shabbat service; and a couple of really nice coffee shops for writing. This year we came off the waiting list for a plot in our community garden, and Talia and I successfully grew 11 tomatoes and more kale than any of us had thought possible. More fun facts about me are on my website, www.pamelaehrenberg.com.

My favorite holiday:

Passover. I love the seders, especially our wildly off-key versions of adapted classics (in my family, "Adir Bimlicha" became "Grebow of Pimlico" in honor of my late grandfather's insurance business) and new favorites like "Don't Sit on the Afikomen." I love re-discovering treasures like the frog dish for holding saltwater (a gift from the rabbi who married us) and the plastic clapping hands that, after enough wine, sound vaguely like hail. But mostly I love how everything feels different for a week when our foods and dishes are different. I think a good book can have a similar effect, making the familiar seem just a little bit unfamiliar, making me see the world a little bit differently.

Pamela, thanks for sharing your thoughts! I promise to forward requests for the lyrics to “Don’t sit on the Afikomen!”

To learn more about ETHAN SUSPENDED, please visit Pamela’s website: www.pamelaehrenberg.com

Welcoming Betsy Rosenthal

I first met Betsy at a Jewish book event where we were both speakers. She was warm and friendly and I was charmed by her presentation. Betsy worked as a lawyer for many years before she became a children’s author. She has written two picture books, MY HOUSE IS SINGING, and IT’S NOT WORTH MAKING A TZIMMES OVER. Betsy lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. She says they are all “worth making a tzimmes over.” I’m so pleased to bring you this interview with my local colleague, Betsy Rosenthal.

Tell me a little bit about your latest book. Why you were drawn to write about a Jewish theme or character?

It's called, It's Not Worth Making a Tzimmes Over! It's a romp about a girl and her grandmother (her bubbe) who make a shabbat challah together. After Sara makes a mistake when she's adding the ingredients, the challah dough grows and grows until it's flowing through the town. They find a way to solve the problem and the whole community benefits from the yummy challah.

The story was based on a real life situation in which my son (when he was in a preschool temple program) mistakenly added his cup of orange juice to the mix instead of the eggs. It got me thinking.... In the book I even have a recipe for Challah a l'Orange courtesy of my son.

When I was growing up, my parents occasionally used Yiddish so that my brother and I wouldn't understand what they were saying. Hearing Yiddish brings back memories and gives me a warm feeling that I tried to replicate in my book by sprinkling in Yiddish words through the grandmother. I also have a Yiddish glossary in the back of the book.

What type of research was involved?

I did a little research on the old horror movie, The Blob. Also I used a couple of books to check the English spelling of the Yiddish words. And lastly, I tested out the challah recipe - it was yummy.

How did you become a c