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: August 2010
Author’s Notebook | Eli Stutz
This is Part Two of an Agent/Author interview. Last week, The Whole Megillah featured agent Elana Roth of the Caren Johnson Literary Agency. Today, we feature her client, Eli Stutz, author of Pickle Impossible (Bloomsbury USA, 2010). The Whole Megillah … Continue reading
Agent’s Notebook | Elana Roth, Caren Johnson Literary Agency
This is Part One of an Agent/Author interview. Elana is Part One and her client, Eli Stutz, author of Pickle Impossible (Bloomsbury USA, 2010), is Part Two and an upcoming Author’s Notebook feature. Elana Roth is a literary agent with … Continue reading
Posted in Agents
Tagged Caren Johnson Literary Agency, children's book agents, Elana Roth, Eli Stutz, Pickle Impossible
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Librarian’s Notebook | Linda R. Silver
For August 2010, The Whole Megillah Librarian’s Notebook features an interview with Linda R. Silver. Linda is a librarian and a specialist in Jewish children’s literature. She has written two books on the subject as well as speaking, teaching, and … Continue reading
The Whole Megillah Mourns
My brother-in-law died suddenly of a heart attack Tuesday evening. He was only 56. Because we are now in mourning and because I’ll be on retreat, The Whole Megillah is taking a break and will resume with librarian, agent, and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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A History of Jewish Children’s Books—Part Three
Adapted from a talk given by Lisa Silverman, Library Director of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, May 23, 2010 at the Highlights Founders Workshop, “Writing Jewish-themed Children’s Books” Genres of Jewish Children’s Literature—Realism in Jewish Family Life The first book in … Continue reading
Tagged Are You There God, Bette Greene, Confessions of a Closet Catholic, Deborah Garfinkle, Highlights Foundation, How to Ruin a Summer Vacation, Judy Blume, Lisa Silverman, Our Eddie, realism in Jewish family life, Sarah Darer Littman, Simone Elkeles, Storky, Sulamith Ish Kishor, Summer of My German Soldier, Writing Jewish-themed Children's Books
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Book Review: Once
Once Written by Morris Gleitzman (Henry Holt and Company, 2010–previously published in Australia) In the author’s note, Morris Gleitzman said he had read a book about Janusz Korczak, a Polish Jewish doctor and children’s author, who helped run an orphanage … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews
Tagged Holocaust literature, Janusz Korczak, Morris Gleitzman, Once
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The Whole Megillah Grows
Thanks to everyone–Jewish children’s book writers, librarians, editors, agents, and publicists–who have helped make The Whole Megillah a success. Given the great response, I’ve been thinking of expanding The Whole Megillah to offer: Workshops and retreats–I’m exploring a four-day workshop/retreat … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Jewish children's books, National Yiddish Book Center, The Whole Megillah
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