Brenda A. Ferber
Encyclopedia
Brenda A. Ferber is an author of children's literature
. She is an alumna of the University of Michigan
. She won the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award for her book Julia's Kitchen before it was published, and the Sydney Taylor Book Award
following publication.
, on April 23, 1967, the third of four children. She grew up in Highland Park, Illinois
, where her father practiced medicine and her mother, an artist, taught art. In 1990, she married Alan Ferber, who she had met in college.
Ferber discovered Judy Blume
's books in elementary school and decided right then to become a children’s book author, too—a dream that took some years to realize. After college and while raising three children, Brenda found being around kids and books reignited her old writing fantasy. She determined to give it a shot no matter how bad the odds of success were. When she took her first formal writing class, she had three toddlers at home. She hired a sitter so she could have a few precious hours each week in which to write.
She started out writing stories that were accepted by Ladybug magazine and several picture book manuscripts that collected 130 rejection letters over the course of three years. She immersed herself in children's fiction at the local library and decided she wanted to write novels that could touch a child’s heart and soul and signed up for an advanced novel writing class to help push her to fulfill her dream.
In 2004, she submitted her first novel, then called Cara's Kitchen, to the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Competition, which she won. The manuscript was accepted for publication by Farrar Straus & Giroux, which published the book as Julia's Kitchen in 2006.
Ferber lives in Deerfield, Illinois
, with her husband, three children, and a mini-whoodle named Ozzy.
Julia's Kitchen has received several awards:
The book received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews
, and has been recommended by:
will be illustrating the book.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. She is an alumna of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. She won the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award for her book Julia's Kitchen before it was published, and the Sydney Taylor Book Award
Sydney Taylor Book Award
The Sydney Taylor Book Award recognizes the best in Jewish children's literature. Medals are awarded annually for outstanding books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The award was established in 1968 by the Association of Jewish Libraries. It is named in memory of Sydney Taylor,...
following publication.
Biography
Ferber was born Brenda Gail Aaronson in Skokie, IllinoisSkokie, Illinois
Skokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Native American word for "fire". A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village". Its population, per the 2000 census, was 63,348...
, on April 23, 1967, the third of four children. She grew up in Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park is a suburban municipality in Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. As of 2009, the population is 33,492. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago Metropolitan Area.-Overview:Highland Park was founded...
, where her father practiced medicine and her mother, an artist, taught art. In 1990, she married Alan Ferber, who she had met in college.
Ferber discovered Judy Blume
Judy Blume
Judy Blume is an American author. She has written many novels for children and young adults which have exceeded sales of 80 million and been translated into 31 languages...
's books in elementary school and decided right then to become a children’s book author, too—a dream that took some years to realize. After college and while raising three children, Brenda found being around kids and books reignited her old writing fantasy. She determined to give it a shot no matter how bad the odds of success were. When she took her first formal writing class, she had three toddlers at home. She hired a sitter so she could have a few precious hours each week in which to write.
She started out writing stories that were accepted by Ladybug magazine and several picture book manuscripts that collected 130 rejection letters over the course of three years. She immersed herself in children's fiction at the local library and decided she wanted to write novels that could touch a child’s heart and soul and signed up for an advanced novel writing class to help push her to fulfill her dream.
In 2004, she submitted her first novel, then called Cara's Kitchen, to the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Competition, which she won. The manuscript was accepted for publication by Farrar Straus & Giroux, which published the book as Julia's Kitchen in 2006.
Ferber lives in Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States and is located approximately 25 miles north of Chicago, Illinois. A portion of the village is in Cook County, Illinois, United States...
, with her husband, three children, and a mini-whoodle named Ozzy.
Julia's Kitchen
Julia's Kitchen is about eleven year old Cara Segal, who loses her mother and sister in a fire while spending the night at a friend's house. The book deals with Cara's struggles with her grief, her questions about God and Judaism, and how she copes with her father's withdrawal following the fire.Julia's Kitchen has received several awards:
- Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award 2004 (as Cara's Kitchen)
- VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers 2006
- Junior Library Guild Selection 2006
- Sydney Taylor Book AwardSydney Taylor Book AwardThe Sydney Taylor Book Award recognizes the best in Jewish children's literature. Medals are awarded annually for outstanding books that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The award was established in 1968 by the Association of Jewish Libraries. It is named in memory of Sydney Taylor,...
Winner 2007 - Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year 2007
- Children's Crown Collection (National Christian Schools Association) 2008-2009
- Alabama Children's Choice Book Award Master List
- Indiana Young Hoosier Award Master List
- Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List
- Kansas William Allen White Award Master List
The book received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
, and has been recommended by:
- Booklist
- Bulletin-Center Child Books
- Chicago Tribune
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire
Released in 2009, Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire takes place at Camp Star Lake, a thinly veiled version of Camp Birch Knoll in Wisconsin, where Ferber attended summer camp. Jemma is looking forward to spending the summer with her best friend Tammy, but when Tammy shows up to camp with her cousin Brooke, all of Jemma's plans start to fall apart.The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine's Day Ever
The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine's Day Ever is a picture book for younger readers, and is due out in 2011. In September 2009, it was announced that artist Tedd ArnoldTedd Arnold
Tedd Arnold is a children's book writer and illustrator. He has written over 50 books, and he has won the "Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor" for his book "Hi! Fly Guy!". He currently lives in Elmira, New York, United States. He worked as a commercial illustrator before beginning his career writing...
will be illustrating the book.
Short stories
- "A Cheer for Charlie" - Ladybug, June 2006
- "The One with the Freckle" - Ladybug, September 2006