So excited to announce my participation in PJ Library‘s two-year authors’ program: Sephardic Stories. Also thrilled to be among such a notable group of writers and artists.
My mother’s family was originally from Spain. They were booted during the 1492 Spanish Inquisition and fled first to Italy, then eventually settled in Turkey. My mother and her entire family were born and raised there. So of course I’m excited to dig more into my roots for some inspired writing as well as participate in a great mentorship program. Fingers crossed for those creative juices to flow!
“As part of PJ Library’s mission to represent the diversity of North American Jewish communities through the books we send to families, and following extensive research and recommendations from a specially formed advisory committee, the Author Stewardship Team invited seven experienced and published authors of Sephardic and Mizrahi backgrounds to create stories inspired by their own experiences over a two year period.
These authors will be granted the opportunity to dig deeper into stories with the support of experts in the field, customized virtual meet-ups, and an Israel experience. They will also act as mentors to emerging Sephardic and Mizrahi authors from spring 2024 through winter 2025.”
Introducing the eighth (omg, eighth) book in the New York Times best-selling Emmie & Friends series, ALWAYS ANTHONY, which will be out in stores on May 7, 2024! The book is told from the alternating POVs of popular Anthony and timid Leah as they grapple with a bullying incident at school. This is a story about unexpected friendship and everyday bravery.
This book is a departure for me and one I’m so proud of. I hope it helps provide awareness of the awful realities and complexities of bullying while — yes — making readers smile and even laugh along the way.
Synopsis:
Anthony is TPFW (Too Popular For Words), loves science, hates writing.
Leah is a super-shy nerd who’s finally making friends of her own.
What could they have in common?
A lot more than they thought, as it turns out!
But then one day they witness Anthony’s teammates bullying a sixth grader. What happens next could cement their new friendship—or blow it up forever.
P.S. To everyone who has mailed (and emailed) me main character suggestions, THANK YOU! I have taken them to heart. There will definitely be more books starring more of your favorite characters!!
I’m so excited to be participating in the all new JewCE (Jewish Comics Experience) convention in NYC on November 12, 2023 at the Center for Jewish History. This event celebrates Jewish comics of all types and features a big exhibit.
I’m also thrilled to be nominated for Artist Honoree of the Year — woo! The line-up of guests and nominees is pretty spectacular, so I’m very excited to schmooze among them as well as participate in a kids’ panel(below).
For details and registration, click here. Hope you can make it!
Writing SURPRISINGLY SARAH was not-so-surprisingly refreshing. I had really wanted to break away from the formula I use for this series. I’d only done it once; in BECOMING BRIANNA, there is just one main character (as opposed to my traditional two), and instead of the chapters switching between the characters’ POVs, the timeline switches between past and present.
illustration from BECOMING BRIANNA
In SARAH, I also broke the mold — this time by manipulating the plotline. I created a “what if” situation. That is, I present two different responses to an event and the reader sees how each one unfolds. More details here.
It wasn’t easy to pull off. I had to make sure the story wouldn’t be confusing — especially since those two scenarios happen to one character (Sarah) but are presented by two different characters (Sarah and her best friend, Leo). Yikes!
I also made up brand new characters, Leo and Ben. Creating new kids from scratch is always a challenge…although a fun one. Luckily their personalities came together well. In fact, I absolutely fell in love with Leo — what a quirky, funny, loyal kid! I kinda liken his relationship with his best friend Sarah to that of Duckie and Andie from “Pretty in Pink” (kids, ask your parents…or your grandparents).
aforementioned movie characters
I really had to pay attention and make sure I was attributing the right details to the correct plotline. I went over everything with a fine tooth comb, as did my editors. Can’t be too careful. Add in all the art, and double that fine tooth combing!
But how I loved writing this. First, because I got to really delve into sweet Sarah’s life, which I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And second, because I grew to enjoy her evolving relationship with Leo. A wonderful by-product of writing is watching your characters’ personalities emerge before your eyes — sometimes with little effort. Such was the case with both Sarah and Leo. I remember when creating TRULY TYLER, I had such a tough time writing from a boy’s POV at first. Once I got over that stumbling block and everything clicked, it felt so natural to write for Tyler, which in turn, paved the way for Leo. I’ll always be grateful to Tyler for that.
Tyler from TRULY TYLER
In a nutshell, writing SARAH was challenging AND creatively freeing. In other words, everything an author wants. For the most part, it’s been this way with the entire series, which is one of the reasons I continue to write these books. That, and incredible reader response, which is ALWAYS rewarding.
Welcome signs from readers at a school visit
I hope you choose to pick up a copy of SURPRISINGLY SARAH. Better yet, I hope you love reading it as much as I loved writing it. To order SARAH, click here.
SO thrilled to be on this insanely fun and insightful podcast hosted by the hugely popular author, Marissa Meyer (one of my daughters is a big fan, so we’re very familiar with her books).
I hope you’ll take a listen to my episode on The Happy Writer Podcast — we had such a great time. And be sure to catch her other guests. I’ve listened to many authors’ episodes and learned a lot (and had fun doing it).
Recently, I traveled to Israel as part of PJ Library’s WONDERFUL Author Israel Adventure. During my trip to Jerusalem, I was interviewed by Shai Cohen, a sweet and very professional budding young journalist (and reader!) for a national Israeli news show. I couldn’t access the YouTube link for the interview, but you can view it on my Israeli publisher’s (Kinneret) Instagram page, here. Enjoy!
