Motherland

“Why,” students ask me, “do you spend so much time writing and telling your mother’s story?” I tell my mother’s story for both personal and political reasons. My personal reasons were captured perfectly in a recent New York Times review of a new book called, Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything. “Memory is intricately tied to identity; we are a product of our own experiences. What ...

The Children's Book Committee The Children's Book Committee was founded almost 100 years ago to help parents, teachers, and librarians choose the books that children will find captivating and transforming. One of the most comprehensive annotated book lists for children, aged infant-16. The Committee reviews over 6000 titles each year for accuracy and literary quality and considers their emotional impact on children. It chooses the best 600 books, both fiction ...

From the Norton, MA "Patch:" Fern Schumer Chapman to discuss book themes, answer questions. By Kelly Mello | Email the author | April 7, 2011 The first long train trip I ever took in Germany was my last. Now I see that it was a funeral procession. The mourners traveling with me were my father, my mother, and Mina, a Christian girl who lived with my family and was as ...

MISSION STATEMENT The Maine Student Book Award is designed to expand literary horizons of students in grades 4-8 by encouraging them to read, evaluate, and enjoy a selection of new books and to choose a statewide favorite by written ballot each spring.ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR MAINE STUDENT BOOK AWARD The award is determined each year by participating Maine students in grades four through eight. The winner is selected from ...

The memories keep you awake Berce Kahraman (foreground) and classmates carry copies of 'Mutterland' -- a gift from the German Society to Preserve Jewish Culture to Russelsheim schools 03.03.2011 - RÜSSELSHEIM Von Tobias Riedl The German Foundation to Preserve Jewish Culture brings the story of Holocaust survivors to schools "It is important to us to introduce the Holocaust in Rüsselsheims' schools to get people talking," says Dr. Bärbel Maul, a ...

Edith's German school picture From the German publisher of Mutterland: Dear Fern and Edith, Can write us some sentences for the students and children who are able to read your book, maybe some experiences or impressions after your readings with children and young people in America and in Germany? As child, my mother, Edith Westerfeld, was labeled as "other" in two countries. In Germany, she was identified as inferior and ...

Hardin students present gift (Texas flag) to FSC Letter from Hardin ISD Librarian Coordinator Anna Mae Veach: We, the adults and students, were 'deeply touched' by Edith's story. Parents have 'taken' your books from their children and now they are reading Edith's story. A warm reception from Hardin students And the story goes on and on... we must stop hate ! In friendship, Anna Mae Veach Anna Mae Veach (left) ...

Visit with Tarkington (TX) freshman Sarah Brosemer on Jan.28, 2011

Writers Workshop, Northwood Junior High School, Highland Park, Illinois on February 18, 2011

Tarkington Middle School, Tarkington, Texas After a two-day visit to schools in Texas, I received this question from a student: Dear Mrs. Chapman, You wouldn't believe I figured out I have German in me, but also some Jewish, like you!! I attend Tarkington Middle School and I'm 12 years old. I asked my mother if we could order Is It Night or Day?, but she said "no," but today, February ...