Happy summer everyone! Hope you are all enjoying the summer heat. And I hope everyone is reading some wonderful books. I’ve been trying to get caught up on some writing (and some reading). I’m actually beginning to work on a play right now - but more of that later!

A couple of months ago, a wonderful fellow-writer, Anne Dublin, interviewed me for an article and a podcast. I wanted to share that on-line interview with you. I had the chance to talk about my background in writing, along with all of my books. Hope you enjoy it!

I’ve had a jam-packed couple of weeks of author visits. I’ve been to St. Thomas, London, Burlington, as well as a bunch of schools in the Toronto area. I continue to be impressed with the thoughtful questions that young readers ask. A young girl asked me if I ever become so sad when I write my stories that it is difficult for me to continue. I responded that I do indeed become sad at times. While we can never of course fully understand what that time was like for survivors, I don’t think you can write about this history without feeling some of the pain. At the same time, I continue to be inspired by the survivors that I meet. And that’s what keeps me going in this writing.

The wonderful students of St. Thomas More School gave me a beautiful card that they had made. It’s message is so important, so I thought I’d share it with you.

It’s finally here. Tomorrow (Sunday April 11 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.) is the date for the long-awaited book launch of my first adult novel, Restitution. Check out this beautiful cover! I’m thrilled and just a bit nervous, but that’s always the case when I’m launching a new book. The most exciting news is that two of the main “characters” from the story will be present for the celebration. Karl Reeser will be there to talk about his experience of having been a part of this project. I understand that a number of his family members have come in from out of town to be part of this. Richard VandenBosch will be joining us, from his home in New York City, via Skype. I’m just hoping the technology pulls through for me so that Richard can actually be “present” for the event.

Other than that, I am expecting lots of my own family members and friends to come out, as they always do, to support me. I hope many of you will be able to make it as well. The location is “918 Bathurst” which is just north of Bloor.

In the meantime, if you’d like to hear me talk a bit about the story, check out this Youtube clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypTpg0NW1rE

Well it’s finally here! I’m thrilled to announce the publication and launch of my first ADULT book entitled, Restitution: a family’s search for their heritage lost in the Holocaust. This is the true story of four paintings, lost during the Second World War and one family’s journey to reclaim them, along with the help of a heroic Canadian diplomat and a courageous and “honest” smuggler. I can’t wait for you to read it!

The book launch will be held on Sunday April 11 at 3:00p.m. at “918 Bathurst.” (That’s the name of the venue and the address. It’s just north of Bloor on Bathurst.) I’ll be joined at the launch by Karl Reeser, the man whose story is documented in this book. We are also trying to skype in Richard VandenBosch, the Canadian diplomat who played such a key role in retrieving the artwork.

You are all invited! Please come for refreshments and books. And feel free to pass on this invite to others. I’m truly excited about this new venture in my life, and look forward to celebrating with you.

Winter is a busy writing and speaking time for me. I’ve had a whirlwind of school visits in the past few months and I’m always delighted to meet young readers who are captivated by my stories. My heartfelt thanks to the many students and staff who have hosted me in their schools. I am impressed by the thoughtful questions and comments of all who have read my books.

And speaking of books, I have a couple of new ones out, beginning with the third installment of the “Whispers” series. Whispers in Hiding (co-written with Sharon McKay) is a collection of real-life tales of courage and hope from survivors who managed to avoid being captured during the Holocaust. Sharon and I celebrated the launch of all three of the Whispers books back in November, in a wonderful event at Temple Sinai synagogue that was attended by hundreds of audience members along with 25 of the survivors whose stories we captured in this collection. I hope all of you have a chance to read the tales of these inspiring heroes.

The other project is a departure from my usual writing. I am very proud to announce that my first adult book will be out in about a month. Yes, I did say adult book! Restitution is the true story of one’s family’s journey to reclaim four oil paintings, stolen during the Holocaust, and then held captive in what once was Communist Czechoslovakia. It’s a remarkable story, and it involves the efforts of a diplomat at the Canadian Embassy in Prague as well as a hired art smuggler. It’s filled with adventure, espionnage, suspense, and mystery. And it’s true! - which makes it even more amazing. Stay tuned and I’ll bring you more information about that book launch coming up in April.

Wow! It’s been a busy, wonderful, interesting fall for me - tons of readings in schools and libraries across the province. I’ve met wonderful young readers, and equally wonderful teachers and librarians. Thanks for inviting me to Cawthra Park, Jean Vanier, Ryerson P.S., Sir Wm. Gage, Queen St. P.S., Fieldstone, Leo Baeck, Alloa P.S., Forest Park, St. George’s, Bonaventure Meadows, Harris Heights, and St. Jude. On top of that, we had a wonderful launch of the Whispers series of books, held at Temple Sinai in Toronto. There were hundreds of people who came out to be part of the launch which was also attended by 25 survivors whose stories are included in the collection. Everyone commented on how wonderful it was to have so many survivors present in one room. I couldn’t have agreed more. With holidays approaching, I hope many of you put the Whispers series on your list of books to read. You can check out the review of Whispers from the Camps in CM magazine http://umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol16/no11/whispersfromthecamps.html It’s a great review!

I’m taking a bit of a break over the holidays, but will be back in the new year with more readings and certainly more writing! Let me take this opportunity to wish all of you peace and happiness over the holidays, and joy in the new year.

Huge apologies for taking this long to update my blog. It was a wonderful, though busy summer. I’ve actually been writing an adult book - also about the Holocaust. This is an exciting, albeit somewhat terrifying new experience for me. I’ll keep you all posted on my progress and tell you soon what that book is about.

My fall is also busy with author visits to many schools and libraries. I want to tell you about two very special presentations that I will be doing, and invite you all to attend one or both of them. On November 1, as part of the Jewish Book Fair in Toronto, I will be launching the publication of the three books in the Whispers series. The launch takes place at Temple Sinai Synagogue, 210 Wilson Ave and it’s at 3:00 p.m. I will be joined by my co-author, Sharon McKay as well as many of the survivors whom we have written about in this three book collection of short stories. There will be music performed by Sara Farb (the granddaughter of Helen Yermus from Whispers from the Ghettos) and Gabi Epstein (my beautiful and talented daughter).

Then, on November 8, as part of Holocaust Education Week, I will be talking about all three books at an event at the Pride of Israel Synagogue, Bathurst Street south of Steeles. This event takes place at 10:00 a.m. and I will be joined there by Claire Baum whose story appears in Whispers in Hiding.

I would love to see as many of you there as possible. Come to one of the events. Come to both. I am thrilled with the opportunity to talk about these wonderful new books, and to honour the survivors whose stories we have captured. Hope to see you there!

School is about to end for most of the young readers out there, and I want to wish everyone a healthy and fabulous summer holiday. I’m planning on doing lots of writing - and a fair bit of relaxing as well. I must admit, it’s been a busy year, filled with author visits, travel, wonderful awards, and the opportunity to meet face to face and via email with many of you. The photograph you see here was sent to me from a school in Italy where the students have spent months working on a project based on my book, Hiding Edith. The book is called Un Posto Sicuro in Italian. I am continally amazed and gratified that my stories are reaching young people around the world. So thanks to all of you who read my books and are touched by the stories.

I’m just back from New York City where I received the prestigious National Jewish Book Council award for The Diary of Laura’s Twin. It was a fabulous weekend and a wonderful celebration of books. There were 16 awards given out in different categories. Mine was Young Adult Literature Book of the Year. Each of the authors were given about three minutes in which to make an acceptance speech. We were not allowed to thank anyone; thank-you’s had to be submitted in writing and they were listed in the program. I thought that was a fabulous idea because it gave each of us a chance to talk about why we had written our books and why these stories were so important - much more interesting than listening to a bunch of thank-you’s. I met authors from across the United States, from Australia, and England. I was thrilled to represent Canada at the ceremony. Check out the photo of me on stage.

Last week I gave an inteview on Roger’s Cable television in Markham. It featured Helen Yermus, who is one of the survivors that I wrote about in Whispers from the Ghettos. Here’s the link to the piece http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=16&rid=17&tid=27204. If you go to March 3 and click on the screen, you can watch the video.

I know we’re in the dead of winter, but I’m feeling the beginning of spring! It only takes a couple of sunny days for me to start believing that warm weather is just around the corner. Now to celebrate the coming of spring, I’m thrilled to announce the publication of a new book called Whispers from the Ghettos, a collection of true short stories from survivors of the Holocaust. This book is co-written with the fabulous Sharon McKay (Esther, Charlie Wilcox, and many, many others; www.sharonmckay.ca) Whispers from the Ghettos is the first of a three book collection of short stories from survivors. The second book, Whispers from the Camps will be out in six months, followed six months later by Whispers in Hiding. Sharon and I are thrilled with this collection. We interviewed dozens of survivors from across the country to find the stories that we wanted to include here. The stories are heroic and remarkable and we know that you will be moved and inspired by what you read. Whispers from the Ghettos is available in bookstores and libraries. Let me know what you think of it.

I’m off to New York City next week to pick up a book award - what fun! The Diary of Laura’s Twin has just won the U.S. National Jewish Book Council Award as the Young Adult Book of the Year. I am one of only a handful of Canadian authors who has won this prestigious award. Needless-to-say, I’m thrilled! I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.