GENRE: Diverse, NF, Biography
WORDS: 1020
Query:
Dear PBParty Editors and Agents,
I was thrilled to discover—at the 11th hour—the PB Party through one of my group members. A big thank you to Mindy for hosting the event.
SHABBAT IN SPACE: ASTRONAUT JEFFREY HOFFMAN’S COSMIC MITZVAH is a 1020-word (plus backmatter) nonfiction biography picture book for ages 7-9. As a child, Jeff’s head was often in the clouds. As an astronaut, he journeyed far beyond them. Jeff chose to carry symbols of his Jewish heritage on each space mission, and with every flight into the cosmos, his connections to the universe and his Jewish roots became more entwined. Then, on his final mission, he brought a miniature Torah into orbit. He planned a perfect time—and perfect Torah passage—for his private Sabbath celebration in space.
The astronaut and his rabbi were each interviewed extensively for this book. Manuscript includes extensive backmatter (Author’s Note, “Jews in Space” Fun Facts, Timeline, and Glossary). Comp title: Menorah Under the Sea, by Esther Heller. I have begun a second “extreme holidays” NF book, Passover on Mt. Everest.
I write fiction and nonfiction books, both rhyming and non-rhyming, for ages 1-12. My picture books include DON’T TURN THE PAGE! (Creston Books), THE BEST FOUR QUESTIONS (KarBen, and a PJ Library Selection [humor-Passover]), and biography PAINTING IN THE DARK: ESREF ARMAGAN, BLIND ARTIST (Tumblehome Learning, with an award-winning audio version for the blind). My middle grade science-adventure novel, THE WALKING FISH (Tumblehome Learning) was a National Science Teaching Association “Best Science Trade Book” award winner. My WFH chapter book, SIMONE BILES: A BIOGRAPHY CHAPTER BOOK FOR NEW READERS (Callisto Media/Rockridge Press) came out in September, and two nonfiction toddler books with the same educational publisher—TWENTY FEARLESS FEMINISTS, and STOMP, WIGGLE, CLAP AND TAP (both in rhyme) are due for release in 2021. I am member of the Rutgers One-On-One Council (RUCCL), SCBWI, and the “Book Meshuggenahs” collective marketing group for Jewish-themed picture books.
Thank you for volunteering your time for the PBParty!
Excerpt:
Jeff’s head was often in the clouds. In Hebrew school, his teacher told stories about the Jewish people wandering in the desert, across oceans, to all corners of the world. Yet Jeff’s daydreams took him farther still.
On clear nights, Jeff loved looking through his family’s telescope. The glowing moon and the shimmering stars made his heart race! He imagined rocketing through the galaxy like his favorite science fiction characters.
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