Lesléa Newman

Lesléa Newman has created 75 books for readers of all ages including the double memoir-in-verse, I Carry My Mother and I Wish My Father; the novel-in-verse, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; and the children’s books, Sparkle Boy, Heather Has Two Mommies, Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story, Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail, and Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed. Her literary awards include two National Jewish Book Awards, two Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Awards, and the Massachusetts Book Award. From 2008 -2010, she served as the poet laureate of Northampton, MA.

Image via Mary Vazquez