Ellen Schwartz
Ellen Schwartz was born in Washington DC, and, after living in New Jersey, Illinois and Wisconsin, arrived in Canada in the 1970s. A landed immigrant, Ellen has been a special education teacher and a dancer and now is a full-time writer and teacher of creative writing.
Ellen's previous books include the Starshine series of juvenile novels from Polestar Book Publishers and Mr. Belinsky's Bagels (Tradewinds, 1997). Her influences include Maurice Sendak and K.M. Peyton and she counts The Secret Garden as her favorite book as a child.
The idea for Jesse's Star first came to Ellen as she sat in synagogue on Yom Kippur. She saw a mental picture of a young boy running from soldiers. That boy grew into Yossi and his adventures became the Orca Young Reader Jesse's Star. Ellen's relatives fled Russia under similiar circumstances and their adventures and the lives of many of her family influence her writing. Ellen continues to write as she bakes bread - by hand - and she vows never to buy a bread maker.
For more information visit Ellen Schwartz at her own web site.
Reviews
Mr. Belinsky's Bagels
Ellen Schwartz
Illustrated by Stefan Czernecki
Mr. Belinsky knows how to make bagels, and that's what he makes, bagels. His regular customers don't miss a day buying their favorites, and Mr. Belinsky's hands always know the perfect recipe for each variety. Then a fancy new bakery opens across the street, and a parade of eager customers buy tarts, eclairs, cookies and other treats while Mr. Belinsky's shop remains empty. Is he missing out on something? Must he change his ways to keep up? What happens when those bagel-making hands begin turning out all sorts of goodies? More isn't always better, for the customers or the magic hands or the satisfaction of the soul, so read this delightful tale yourself and also give it to your young readers. Charmingly illustrated in one-dimensional primary colors, these are the kind of pictures kids might like to copy themselves. 1998 (orig. 1997, Charlesbridge, Ages 3 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Judy Chernak
ISBN: 0-88106-256-1
Starshine on TV
Ellen Schwartz
Starshine Bliss Shapiro is a spirited ten-year-old girl with unique interests and high hopes. She is a girl who lives in the shadow of her younger sister, who is cute, precocious, and the constant center of attention. In this adventure, Starshine is seeking fame on television while doing groundbreaking research for the American Association of Arachnology. With diverse interests and common worries, Starshine is a strong female heroine. Once I began reading this book, I couldn't put it down! I am looking forward to reading the first two Starshine books: Starshine and Starshine at Camp Crescent Moon. 1996, Polestar Book Publishers, Ages 8 to 11, $5.95. Reviewer: Susan Hoyle Fournier
ISBN: 1-896095-13-5
Added 1999
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