Category Archives: Second Story Press

Unveiling of Sunnyside Stadium Softball plaque

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Canadian Jewish Women Writers, Olympics, Second Story Press, The Matchless Six

On June 1, 2024, I attended the unveiling of the plaque for the Sunnyside Stadium Softball by Heritage Toronto. It’s here where girls and women played softball from 1924 to 1956. The stands were often packed with 5,000 spectators; the cost of admission was ten cents. These young women were truly in a “league of their own”!

I was delighted that the organizers included a display about Bobbie Rosenfeld, Canada’s female athlete of the half-century, and that Bobbie is mentioned on the plaque!

The Boulevard Club is now on the site of the Sunnyside Stadium, but a lot of people still have fond memories of their family members playing there, or of even  playing there themselves.

To watch the YouTube video of the event, go to:

TBC Sunnyside Plaque Unveiling (youtube.com)

And here’s a photo of the plaque: 

“Bobbie” play at Theatre by the Bay, Barrie (ON)

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Canadian Jewish Women Writers, Olympics, Second Story Press, The Matchless Six

What a treat it was to go to Barrie and see the play Bobbie, presented by Theatre by the Bay! Trudee Romanek did a superb job writing the play–clear, passionate, well-researched. The actors were skillful and expressive, and Kathy Kacer’s consultant work was detailed and accurate. It brought me great joy to see Bobbie’s achievements (and challenges) come to life! I do hope you’ll have a chance to see the play. It runs until Sunday Sept. 10, 2023. Here’s TBTB’s  website for more information:  https://theatrebythebay.com/2023

Bobbie Rosenfeld for the Friends of the South Grey Museum, Markdale, Ontario

Biography--Jewish Women, Bobbie Rosenfeld, Olympics, Second Story Press, The Matchless Six

I was delighted to give a presentation about Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything (Second Story Press) on May 17, 2023 in Markdale, Ontario to the Friends of the South Grey Museum. Although this award-winning biography about Canada’s outstanding female athlete was published in 2004, people are still interested in Bobbie’s life and accomplishments. A new play, written by Trudee Romanek, will be presented August 30 to September 10 in Barrie, Ontario. On September 2, after the matinee performance, I’ll be part of a panel discussion including Trudee, Bruce Kidd, and Rochelle Thompson, Bobbie Rosenfeld’s niece. For more information, here’s the link to the Theatre on the Bay: https://theatrebythebay.com/2023

Thanks to Dave Sweiger of the Friends of the South Grey Museum for this photo, and for Lacy Sciamanna for the lovely display about Bobbie!

Middle Grade Magic

Biography--Jewish Women, Canadian Jewish Women Writers, Second Story Press, Uncategorized
On March 9, 2023, I participated in a panel called “Yes, It’s True”, part of SLJ’s “Middle Grade Magic”.I talked about my new book, She’s a Mensch! : Ten Amazing Jewish Women. I was honoured to join these other panelists:
Zaila Avant-Garde, It’s Not Bragging If It’s True (Penguin Random House)
Joseph Bruchac, Voices of the People (Reycraft)
David Roth and Rinee Shah, LOL 101 (Chronicle Books)
Jessica Speer, The Phone Book (Familius)
If you registered for the event, the recordings will be available until June 2023.

KidLit Authors Showcase

Biography--Jewish Women, Second Story Press, , , , , , , , , ,

On December 12, 2022, I was honoured to be included in the AJL’s (Association of Jewish Libraries) KidLit Authors Showcase, where I talked about She’s a Mensch! : Ten Amazing Jewish Women. It was wonderful to see how connections were made between books and people. Thank you to all the organizers and participants for a fascinating look into new Jewish children’s books, and for the authors’ grace, passion, and support.

AJL Authors Showcase

historical fiction, Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure, Second Story Press, ,
On Tues. Nov.17, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) will be having an Authors Showcase in celebration of Jewish Book Month. This is part of the “AJL Presents” series of virtual events that are open to members AND to the general public.  I’m pleased to participate in this event to talk about my new historical novel, Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure. https://secondstorypress.ca/kids/jacob-and-the-mandolin-adventure?rq=jacob%20and%20the%20mandolin%20adventure
Register for this FREE event at https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZYtdu6urjMqHtdKE…
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Enjoy this preview of new books!

“A Cage Without Bars” will receive the Canadian Jewish Literary Award!

A Cage Without Bars, Canadian Jewish Literary Awards, historical fiction, Second Story Press

I’m delighted to announce that  A Cage Without Bars (Second Story Press) will receive the Canadian Jewish Literary Award (Youth) 2019. http://cjlawards.ca/ I hope my family, friends, and colleagues will be able to attend this event. Here’s the press release:

The Canadian Jewish Literary Awards is honouring eight outstanding books for 2019.  Now in its fifth year, the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards recognizes and rewards the finest Canadian Jewish writing.

Winners have been declared in the following categories: fiction, memoir, biography, history, scholarship, Holocaust, Yiddish, and books for children and youth.  

 “Choosing just eight Award winners was a challenge this year,” says Jury chair, Edward Trapunski. “The depth and breadth and quality of the submissions show the vibrancy of the culture and the appeal of Jewish themes for fiction and non-fiction writers.”

The awards ceremony will be held on October 27, 2019, at 2:00 pm in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto. Everybody is invited and welcome. Admission and parking are free. The York University subway station is conveniently right outside the door of the theatre. 

Meet the winning authors and hear them speak about their books. A dessert reception will follow where the award-winning books will be available for purchase and author signing.

Vancouver Jewish Book Festival

A Cage Without Bars, Second Story Press

If you’re in the Vancouver area on Sun. Feb. 10, I hope you’ll attend my talk about “A Cage Without Bars”: 11 a.m. at the JCC of Greater Vancouver (950 West 41st Ave.) and 5 p.m. at the Burquest JCC (2860 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Coquitlam). I’m delighted to be part of the Jewish Book Festival! Here’s the website for more information: https://www.jccgv.com/art-and-culture/jewish-book-festival/