The Whole Megillah- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: The Jewish Book Council has just announced its 2019 winners. I agree with some choices, like Michael Dobbs’s Unwanted and, of course, Lesléa Newman’s Gittel’s Journey. But another book that won I thought lacked any authenticity. Sigh. … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Two-in-One Author’s Notebook | Essie’s Revelation Summer by Deanie Yasner with Publisher Nancy SayreYasner, Deanie. Essie Rose’s Revelation Summer. Golden Alley Press, 2019, 241 pp. $8.99. The Whole Megillah (TWM): Essie Rose’s Revelation Summer captures so many historical (and emotional) details. How much of those came from your memory vs. research? How much … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I received two invitations to teach: One to teach undergrad Intro to Creative Writing and one to teach undergrad Literature of the Holocaust at two different universities. Problem: They were both for Tuesday/Thursday at 2 pm when … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Writing ChaiWith today’s post, I am starting a new The Whole Megillah feature: Writing Chai. This ad hoc feature will focus on the writing life, craft books, courses, the struggles, the triumphs. I look forward to your participation! I am interested … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesHappy New Year, everyone! Today is the first day of a new year and a new decade. Three quick things: Every December I assess my year-end accomplishments and set long- and short-term goals for the coming year(s). A tool I … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I just received my January/February issue of Poets & Writers, an issue focused on Inspiration. Just by thumbing through submission opportunities, I think I found it! In that same issue, I spotted the name of a former … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I attended a performance of “The Sorceress” (“Di Kishefmakherin”) in Yiddish at the Museum of Jewish Heritage/National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene in New York City. Great fun! The operetta’s run ends December 29. It was written in 1878. … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I am saddened and horrified by the circumstances and outcome of yesterday’s Jersey City shooting. I grew up in the same county. On a more positive note, I have now read two paragraphs of a Sholom Aleichem … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: I’m happy to announce that a short story being published by the literary magazine of Mercer County Community College, The Kelsey Review, has been nominated for a Pushcart. The story is based on the man who sat … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week NotesThree quick things: Let poetry inspire your writing. See the interview with Devora Busheri about her use of Hayyim Bialik’s poetry in her new picture book, In the Jerusalem Forest (Kar-Ben, 2019). Are any of you participating in Nanowrimo? I … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Mid-Week Notes
Monthly Archives: May 2010
Ideas Can Come from Anywhere–Even Jane Yolen
The first-ever Highlights Foundation workshop for writers of Jewish-themed children’s books took place at the founders’ home in Boyds Mills, PA from May 23-25. Throughout the following weeks, I’ll be sharing some highlights (no pun intended) of what the speakers … Continue reading
Tagged Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Calkins Creek Books, Carolyn Yoder, Debra Hess, Devorah Leah Rosenfeld, East/West Agency, Francoise Bui, Hachai Publishing, Highlights for Children, Highlights Foundation, Highlights Foundation Worksop, Jane Yolen, Jewish Book World, Lisa Silverman, Mary Kole, Penninah Schram, Rubin Pfeffer
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Author’s Notebook | Rich Michelson
Each month, The Whole Megillah features an interview with an author of Jewish-themed children’s books. For May 2010’s Author’s Notebook debut, we reached out to award-winning author Rich Michelson of Massachusetts. The Whole Megillah (TWM): When did you first realize … Continue reading
Jewish American Heritage Month and the Sydney Taylor Book Award
On May 7, Kathe Pinchuck, Outgoing Chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee posted in the AJL Blog, People of the Books, a list of Sydney Taylor Book Awards winners, celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. I urge you to … Continue reading
Museum of Jewish Heritage | A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
It seemed fitting that I would head into New York City today to research the St. Louis on the 71st anniversary of its sailing. After spending a couple of hours at the Joint Distribution Committee archives midtown, I traveled to … Continue reading
Book Review: Emma’s Poem–The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty (Houghton Mifflin, 2010) Written by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola I must confess: I’ve been researching Emma Lazarus for about ten years. Since the Statue of Liberty’s 100th anniversary … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews
Tagged Emma Lazarus, New Colossus, nineteenth century Jewish writers, Statue of Liberty
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This Month in Jewish History—The Tragic Voyage of the St. Louis
On May 13, 1939, more than 900 German Jewish refugees boarded the luxury liner MS St. Louis in Hamburg. They were filled with hope of a new homeland, rejected by Germany. Since Kristallnacht the previous November, and even before that, … Continue reading
