Monday night I attended the University of Hartford Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies Awards Evening. It was an evening of acknowledgment for hard work, academic rigor, teaching and learning, and appreciation for the donors who made it all possible. Avi Patt and Matthew Rubin presented the Joseph Zola Memorial Holocaust Educator Award to me … Continue reading University of Hartford Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies Awards Evening
I had my first nibble and my first rejection from a literary agent this month. I have an author friend with an agent, and I decided to check out what types of books her agent was interesting in representing. Her website mentioned history, and narrative nonfiction and YA. This could be the one, I thought. … Continue reading True or False?
Last week I had lunch with 98-year-old Kurt R. at his home. I brought my mother along as she has fond memories of visits with him over the years and Kurt’s daughter joined us as well. Who is Kurt R. you might ask? Mr. R worked in the same firm as my grandfather. They first … Continue reading A Storyteller’s Plight
I decided it was time to name my book. It isn’t finished yet, but the title has been a thorn in my side for a while now. I started with a working title of “Tutti & Popje." It was cute and it worked in my mind. I thought the book would be told from the … Continue reading In Search of a Title
Please watch this short video. It is short and speaks for itself. We are raising a generation of students who don't know about the Holocaust. If they don't know, it is because nobody taught them. If they don't know, G-d help us all in the future. We all need to know what has happened to … Continue reading Why I’m Writing about the Holocaust
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
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
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 Jessica … Continue reading The Doll’s Voice
