Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan's Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

A loving tribute to a towering figure in Jewish American history from two award-winning creators.

Two-time National Jewish Book Award winner Norman H. Finkelstein and Sydney Taylor Award winner Vesper Stamper have teamed up to tell the story of Abraham Cahan, the founder and longtime editor of the Yiddish language newspaper the Forverts (the Forward), which, in its heyday, was one of the largest newspapers in the United States. As the saying went: "What's a home without the Forverts?"

From explaining voting rights to the importance of public health measures to everyday questions like how to play baseball, Cahan improved the lives of countless newly arrived Jewish immigrants who wanted to feel at home in a new, strange land. He also published celebrated writers such as Isaac Bashevis Singer and created the iconic advice column the Bintel Brief for homesick readers.

Back matter includes a bibliography, a time line, more info on Cahan's life and the Yiddish language, and a note on the author's personal connection to the Forverts.

About the Author

Norman H. Finkelstein is a retired school librarian and a celebrated children's book author. A two-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award as well as a winner of the Golden Kite Honor Award, Norman has written many nonfiction books for young readers, including Schools of Hope, Union Made, Heeding the Call, and Forged in Freedom. He taught at Hebrew College and lives in Massachusetts.

Author Residence: Massachusetts

Vesper Stamper is the award-winning author-illustrator of What the Night Sings, which was a Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner, a National Book Award Nominee, a National Jewish Book Award Finalist, a Morris Award Finalist, and a Golden Kite Honor. Born in Germany and raised in New York City, Vesper has a BFA in Illustration from Parsons and an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from School of Visual Arts. She lives with her family in the Northeast.

Illustrator Residence:Beacon, NY