Children's Books, and Other Cool Stuff

        Hello my friends in about two weeks I will be putting up my first Author Spotlight for 2021 before I do that let me introduce myself to everyone and post a few of my books and ideas to share with you all.   David D Bernstein is a, psychic reader and energy healer who has worked with children for many years in different settings. He's the author of a book of poetry and two picture books: "The Enchanted Rope" and "Peanut" both cover real life situations. He also wrote a middle grade novel called "The Portal" the first book in the Cort Chronicles Trilogy. This book received a CIPA Merit award in Juvenile Fiction in 2018. A hardcover version is on its way. The next two books "Spirral" and "Rebirth" will be coming out in Spring or Summer 2021. He also had several poems published in magazines and anthologies and is the recipient of five Editor Awards. He is a proud uncle of two young boys. I came here from Russia in 1981 because ...

Middle Grade Readers 1) One Dog and His Boy - Written by Eva Ibbotson, Published by Scholastic Inc. New York, NY 2014. Hal is just an ordinary kid with a large dream of owning a dog. On his birthday Hal is allowed to choose a pet that is when Fleck becomes a part of his life and an adventure begins after Hal finds him gone on Monday. Together with a girl named Pippa Hal rescues Fleck and running away is his only option, made trickier when Pippa announces that she and the other dogs want to come along. It not only teaches your children about the power of friendship and love  but it takes them on a journey through life. I highly recommend this book for your middle graders. Get out and pick up a copy today. 2) The Path of Names - Written by Ari Goelman, Published by Scholastic Inc. New York, NY 2013. Dahlia Sherman loves magic tricks, math and video games. She is not so found of campfire songs or lighting storms or mean girls her age. When she is placed in...

      That Time I Joined the Circus- Written by JJ Howard, published by Scholastic Inc. New York 2013. It is a well told life story of a 17 year old girl.  After her father's untimely death and a misunderstanding with her two best friends, she is forced to run away south and join a traveling circus that her mother was a part of once. This journey enriches her with a new outlook on life, and helps her discover her passion for the arts and acting. From a circus clean up crew to a fortune teller with her own act, Lexi's character develops over the course of the book, and discovers her true passion. I highly recommend this book for the dreamers living inside everyone.     Ship Breakers- Written by Paolo Bacigalupi, published by Little Brown and Company, New York 2010. Winner of Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. National Book Award Finalist. The action ...

The Conference       I am a Jew this quote has been said many times over the years. Yesterday I spent a whole day in a book conference in Temple Emanu-El on east 65th street. It is a much smaller conference then SCBWI but it is very specific to the topic of Jewish books. The market is starting to rise now. This conference had many great speakers including agents, Editors, authors, publishers, the Sydney Taylor awards, Jewish Book  Council and PJ library All the speakers I listed above made wonderful speeches. They focused on the usual stuff. Everyone is looking for a fresh voice, great characters, wonderful dialog and Jewish themed books. What are Jewish themed books you ask. "Look at them as a table with five legs" one publisher said. Family, holidays, Community, Hebrew language and the leg of Israel. All these topics were covered and discussed closely. What does it mean to be a Jew?      I was born in...