The Diary of Laura’s Twin by Kathy Kacer wins the 2008 National Jewish Book Award for Children's and YA Literature

Wednesday, January 14, 2009, Toronto - The story of a modern-day Jewish girl who is “twinned” with a child of the Holocaust through a mysterious diary has won the 2008 National Jewish Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Kathy Kacer is the award-winning author of several books in Second Story Press’ Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers, including The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, Clara’s War, and Hiding Edith.

With just three weeks to go before her Jewish coming of age ceremony, or Bat Mitzvah, Laura’s rabbi assigns her a special project. He sends her to meet the mysterious Mrs. Mandelcorn, who gives Laura the diary of a young girl named Sara Gittler. Sara was Laura’s age when she was imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto during the time of the Holocaust, and so never had a chance to celebrate her own coming of age. Laura has been given Sara’s diary so that they are now “twins.” Laura will learn about life during theHolocaust, and share her Bat Mitzvah ceremony with Sara.

Kathy Kacer was inspired to write The Diary of Laura’s Twin when she heard about the increasingly popular custom of pairing a modern-day Jewish child with a child of the Holocaust. Like Laura, readers will become increasingly involved in Sara’s diary as the entries unfold with the details ofdaily life in the ghetto – a world full of fear, confusion, tragedy and, above all, courage. The book brings to life a young girl’s amazing perseverance and courage while living through a frightening and horrifying time, and reveals how a young girl in today’s world is moved to honor her, and to learn from her courage.

The book includes photographs, biographies of young heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and true accounts of “Twinning Ceremonies.” It is part of Second Story Press’ Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers, which includes Hana’s Suitcase.

Kathy Kacer’s books have won the Silver Birch, the Red Maple, the Hackmatack and the Jewish Book Award. She recently adapted The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser for the theater. A former psychologist, Kathy has toured the world talking to children about the importance of understanding the Holocaust and keeping its memory alive.

For more information, please contact:

Emma Rodgers
Marketing & Promotions Manager
Second Story Press
marketing@secondstorypress.ca