Podcast of Anne Renaud’s “Fania’s Heart”

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My interview with Anne Renaud about her Holocaust book, Fania’s Heart, was posted on March 11, 2019 on the Book of Life website. https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2019/03/fanias-heart-birthday-card-in-auschwitz.html. It’s the true story of a heart-shaped birthday card created in Auschwitz at great personal risk by women prisoners for the 20th birthday of fellow prisoner, Fania Landau Fainter. The card was made from scraps of fabric, stolen materials, and glue made out of bread and water, The real heart is now in the Montreal Holocaust Museum, and it’s one of the few surviving objects created by prisoners of Auschwitz. Fania’s Heart won the 2018 Canadian Jewish Literary Award (Youth literature). It’s aimed at readers ages 8 to 12.

 

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/

The Bricha: The Jewish Underground Railroad

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I’ll be giving a talk about “The Bricha: The Jewish Underground Railroad” on Mon. Nov. 5, 7.30 p.m. at the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, Lipa Green Building, 4600 Bathurst Street, Toronto.

The Hebrew word “bricha” means “flight” or “escape”. The Bricha was the illegal underground organization in post-World War II Europe that helped Jewish Holocaust survivors escape to DP camps in Germany, Austria, or Italy, and ultimately to Palestine. I’ll speak about the history of the Bricha, the often harrowing journeys of the refugees, and the final dismantling of the organization in 1948 when the State of Israel was established. This program is part of Holocaust Education Week 2018.

I hope you’ll attend this presentation about a little-known aspect of the Holocaust.

 

A Cage Without Bars: Publication and Launch

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I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my latest historical novel for young people–A Cage Without Bars (Second Story Press)!
Here are some details about the launch:
 
Date: Mon. Oct. 29/18
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Place: Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street, Toronto
 
The launch will include dramatic readings, Judaeo-Spanish music presented by Judith Cohen, and refreshments. Free and open to the public. Accessible building.
 
A brief synopsis: A Cage Without Bars follows the adventures of Joseph, a twelve-year-old Jewish boy, who becomes a slave in 1493 after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain. How he deals with his horrendous circumstances and manages to survive is the subject of this novel.
 
Praise for A Cage Without Bars:
 
“The well-developed characters feel very real. Although the book is explicit about the suffering these children and others endured, the excellent writing makes the book accessible to children…” – Jewish Book Council
 
“An important educational…take on this little-known historical tragedy.” – Kirkus

Grande Finale: Book of Life podcast

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They say that all good things must come to an end. And so, too, does Heidi Rabinowitz’s wonderful Book of Life podcast. This podcast was informative and entertaining–presenting a treasure trove of Jewish books and authors to a wide audience. I wish Heidi all the best in her new job at PJ Library.

Here’s a link to the podcast, including a segment where I speak to Aubrey Davis about his inspiring picture book, Bagels from Benny. Enjoy!

https://jewishbooks.blogspot.ca/2017/12/grand-finale-at-least-for-now.html

Interview on CBC’s “Fresh Air”

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On Sun. Nov. 5, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Nana aba Duncan on CBC’s “Fresh Air”. We spoke about my talk on Nov. 8/17 for Holocaust Education Week: “Why Should Young People Read Holocaust Literature, Anyway?”, about my parents’ experiences during the Holocaust, and my new book, “A Cage Without Bars” (Second Story Press, Autumn 2018). Here’s the link to the interview: https://soundcloud.com/…/anne-dublin-on-why-young-people-sh…. Enjoy! (Used with permission)

Michelle Edwards and I

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At the AJL Conference in New York City in June 2017, I was delighted to meet Michelle Edwards. She’s an author and knitter extraordinaire, who won the Sydney Taylor (silver) award for her picture book, A Hat for Mrs. Goldman (Schwartz & Wade/Random, 2016) . We had time for a chat about writing and knitting. What fun! Here’s a photo of us both.

 

 

 

 

AJL Conference a Hit!

44 Hours or Strike,

I was delighted to participate in the panel discussion, “From Concept to Book”, at the Association of Jewish Libraries conference in New York City, June 19, 2017. The other panelists were: Tammar Stein, Jacqueline Jules, Wayne Marks & Allison Marks. We all talked about  the writing and publishing process. It was fascinating to share our ideas with the librarians in the packed room.

Signing “44 Hours or Strike!” at the OLA Conference

44 Hours or Strike, Patrick Crowe, Rona Arato, Second Story Press, Ship to Nowhere, Susanna Moodie

I was thrilled to meet two fellow authors from Second Story Press at the OLA Conference last week in Toronto. Patrick Crowe, has written a moving graphic biography of Susanna Moodie’s, Roughing It in the Bush.  My writer-friend, Rona Arato, was signing her new book, The Ship to Nowhere: On Board the Exodus.  Both authors tell their stories through skilful prose and remarkable illustrations.