It is an honor to introduce Jeska Verstegen, author of I’LL KEEP YOU CLOSE (Levine Querido, 2021). The tragedies and atrocities of WWII have impacted generations of families. Inspired by her own real-life events, I’LL KEEP YOU CLOSE follows a…
Category: Interviews
Interview with Valerie Estelle Frankel, author of CHELM FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Valerie Estelle Frankel is an award-winning author of books for adults and children. Her book, CHELM FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Kar-Ben, 2019), is a collection of stories about the residents in Chelm as they celebrate Jewish holidays throughout the year. The…
Interview with Caroline Kusin Pritchard, author of GITTY AND KVETCH
Caroline Kusin Pritchard’s picture book, GITTY AND KVETCH (Atheneum, 2021) illustrated by Ariel Landy, is a charming story of an unlikely friendship between perky Gitty and her crusty bird friend, Kvetch. Packed with humor and heart, along with subtly layered emotional storylines, GITTY…
Interview with Aimee Lucido, author of RECIPE FOR DISASTER
RECIPE FOR DISASTER (Versify, 2021) by Aimee Lucido is a tender, relatable, and sometimes raw middle-grade novel. Featuring a unique mix of prose and verse, readers follow Hannah as she establishes her own Jewish identity against her parents’ wishes. The…
Interview with Evonne Marzouk, author of THE PROPHETESS
Evonne Marzouk’s YA novel THE PROPHETESS (Bancroft Press, 2019) tells the story of Rachel, an American teenager who discovers her unique gifts, leading her to explore her own faith and what it means to her. This engaging story uniquely incorporates…
Interview with Norman H. Finkelstein, author of THE SHELTER AND THE FENCE
It is my absolute honor to introduce Norman H. Finkelstein to chat about his new nonfiction middle grade book, THE SHELTER AND THE FENCE: WHEN 982 HOLOCAUST REFUGEES FOUND SAFE HAVEN IN AMERICA (Chicago Review Press, 2021). It is a…
Interview with Cindy Rizzo, author of THE PAPERCUTTER
Welcome, Cindy Rizzo! Cindy’s new YA novel, THE PAPERCUTTER (Bella Books, 2021), is the first installment in The Split trilogy. The book takes place in the fragmented United States, separated into two nations —the God Fearing States (GFS) and the…
Interview with Michael Leventhal, publisher and author of THE CHOCOLATE KING
It is such a pleasure to welcome my friend, Michael Leventhal. He is best known as the publisher of Green Bean Books, but Michael is also an author. His upcoming book, THE CHOCOLATE KING (Green Bean Books, 2021) beautifully illustrated by Laura…
Interview with Emily Sper, author of ALL ABOUT JEWISH TIME
Emily Sper is a talented author, illustrator, and publisher. Her picture book ALL ABOUT JEWISH TIME (Jump Press, 2021) introduces young readers to the Jewish holidays and other concepts related to the Hebrew calendar. The graphic, colorful and visual illustrations…
Interview with Chris Baron, author of THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT
In 2019, I interviewed Chris Baron about ALL OF ME, his fantastic middle-grade novel written in verse. I am thrilled to welcome him back to talk about his new middle-grade book, THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, 2021). Written in…