Writing – Page 5 – K Heidi Fishman (Popje and Me)

Crossroads Academy Book Review

My readers were 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Crossroads Academy. There were boys and girls, Jews and non-Jews. I gave each student a copy the current draft of my book Tutti & Popje and a red pen. Unfortunately, time did not allow for them to read the entire thing. Most of them got about 20 pages in. Continue reading “Crossroads Academy Book Review”

Beta Testers, Focus Group or Guinea Pigs

Writing a book for young adults and middle school students is a bit of a challenge. I think I remember being that age and what I liked to read, but how can I be sure that I am writing to my intended audience? Will average middle school students understand what I am trying to convey?Continue reading “Beta Testers, Focus Group or Guinea Pigs”

The Reluctant Historian

I need to give everyone who is reading this a little background on my interest in history and my research adventure. As a middle school student at Renbrook School I hated history. I thought it was boring. I remember challenging Mr. Reynolds in 6th grade. “Why do we have to learn about all this stuffContinue reading “The Reluctant Historian”

Thanks for the Memories

When my cousin got wind of my endeavor to write this book she emailed saying: Don’t forget the story about …(I’m leaving the details out here as they will come in the book). [Your mother] told me the story before she married your father. When I reminded her of it years later, she did notContinue reading “Thanks for the Memories”

The Doll’s Voice

After my mother’s second presentation at school, the English teacher, Jessica Lahey, asked if she planned on writing a book. Modest as ever my mom said “no.” Speaking publicly was hard enough. Writing was not a task she planned on. Then one of the teachers (honestly now I am not sure if it was JessicaContinue reading “The Doll’s Voice”

The Idea is Born

My mother graciously agreed to tell her story to my son’s 7th grade history class at Crossroads Academy. She is a holocaust survivor and her memories cover her war years as a German-Jewish child living in Amsterdam. She was only 5 when the war started. Two years later she returned to my children’s school andContinue reading “The Idea is Born”