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David A. Adler

author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers

My Works

David's first story written while he was still teaching math in a NYC school.  The idea came to him when his three year-old nephew kept asking questions.  The entire story is told in dialogue with no"he said-she said" insertions.  While it was his first story and immediately accepted for publication by Random House  publication was delayed by the illustrator's health issues and was published in 1976 after two Adler math books came out.  The story was reprinted with new art by Holiday House in 2006.
The inspiration for the 2018 Emmy-award HBO winning documentary "The Number on My Greatgrandfather's Arm."
"Optimistic . . .  Touches on many universal themes."  
                               The New York Times
"One of the most beautiful and poignant new picture books for children." New York Post
"A tribute to the power of friendship and faith." The Boston Globe.
 
First published by Harcourt.  Reprinted by Menucha Press
In 1926 Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel despite the warning of a major London newspaper published the day of her swim that she would fail.  "Women should know," they wrote, "that woman will remain forever the weaker sex."  Ederle not only completed the swim.  She beat the men's record by two hours!
Joe Louis was a great hero and symbol of hope to African Americans through the 1930s.  In 1938, at the eve of World War II when he fought and beat the German Max Schmeling he because a hero to all Americans.  When he died in 1981 a New York Times reporter wrote that he was "probably the best heavyweight fighter of all time."  Published by Harcourt.
The story of one of baseball's GREATEST players denied entry to the Major Leagues beause of his race until he was 42 years old.  Published by Harcourt.
Biographies of James Meredith, Fred Shuttlesworth, Ralph Abernathy, Earl Warren Thurgood Marshall and other heroes for Civil Rights.  "You can kill the dreamer," Abernathy said after the murder of Dr. King, "but you cannot kill the dream."
The story of one man's courage.  Published by Harcourt.
Biographies of Lydia Darragh, Thomas Paine, Deborah Sampson, Ethan Allen and other Heroes of the Revolution, published by Holiday House.
"We Remember The Holocaust" chronicles the tragedy in the voices of those her survived it.  They speak for the victims.  These first-person voices and original photographs from the survivor's private collections is an intensely personal book.  
Janusz Korczak was a famous cauthor, radio personality, teacher and doctor.  He ran a Jewish orphanage in the midst of the Warsaw Ghetto.  Nazis emptied the orphanage and forced them to march to the train that would take them to the Treblinka death camp.  One Nazi recognized the famous Korczak and offered to release him but Korczak would not leave his children.  Published by Holiday House. 
Froim Baum was born in Warsaw in 1936.  When his father dies he was placed in Janusz Korczak's orphanage.  Froim often crawled under the ghetto walls to get bread for others in the ghetto.  He was on the other side of the walls when the orphanage was liquidated and hurried to the train to join his friends and his beloved Korczak.  Again and again Nazi soldiers were sure he was a Polish non-Jewish boy and chased him away.  Published by Holiday House.
When the Nazis invaded Holland four year-old Lore Baer was sent by her parents to live with the Schouten family in Dutch farm country.  This is the mving true story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child.  Published by Holiday house.
The tragic stories of Hilde Rosenzweig born in Germany in 1923 and Eli Lax born in Czechoslovakia in 1932, childhood victims of the Holocaust.  Published by Holiday House.
Published by Viking Press.
The classic Sukkot story first published in 1976 and still in print--now with it's third publisher, Holiday House.
BONES and the Roller Coaster Mystery, Viking Press, 2009.

If writing was like swimming...an interview with Bruce Black:

1) how do you get into the water each day?
The only way to get into the water is to jump in. Don't over think the process. Just jump in and write.

2) What keeps you afloat...for short work? For longer work?
I keep rereading what I've written and that takes me deeper and deeper into my story.

3) How do you keep swimming through dry spells?
How can there be dry spells in swimming? Being dry can only mean you stepped out of the water. If I get stuck working on one manuscript, I start or continue work on another. I find it helpful to work on more than one project at a time.

4) What's the hardest part of swimming?
The hardest part, I find, is discovering the voice for my story and that comes at the very beginning.

5) How do you overcome obstacles, problems, when swimming alone?
Writers always swim alone. I try not to put too much pressure on myself, not to demand a great first draft. But I keep rereading and rewriting until I'm satisfied.

6) What's the part of swimming that you love the most?
It's the swim I love, not the jumping in the water, and not the stepping out. I love the rewriting, just playing with my words. I feel somewhat sad to finish the final rewrite and have to send off a cherished manuscript.

***LET'S CELEBRATE!***
THIS IS CAM JANSEN'S
38TH ANNIVERSARY
----------1980 - 2018!-------
****************************
Cam's Birthday is May 4th.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAM!

Mysteries for Young Readers

Mysteries for Young Readers
Young Cam Jansen Series
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/CHOCOLATE CHIP MYSTERY, 1996.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/DINOSAUR COUNT, 1996.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/LOST TOOTH, 1997.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/ICE SKATE MYSTERY, 1998.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/BASEBALL MYSTERY, 1999.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/PIZZA SHOP MYSTERY, 2000.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/LIBRARY MYSTERY, 2001.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/DOUBLE BEACH MYSTERY, 2002.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/ZOO NOTE MYSTERY, 2003.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/NEW GIRL MUSTERY, 2004.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/SUBSTITUTE MYSTERY, 2005
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/SPOTTED CAT MYSTERY, 2006.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/ LIONS' LUNCH MYSTERY, 2007.
YOUNG CAM JANSEN/ MOLLY SHOE MYSTERY, 2008.
BONES AND THE BIG YELLOW MYSTERY, 2004.
BONES AND THE DOG GONE MYSTERY, 2004.
BONES AND THE CUPCAKE MYSTERY 2005.
BONES AND THE DINOSAUR MYSTERY, 2005.
BONES AND THE BIRTHDAY MYSTERY, 2006.
BONES AND THE MATH TEST MYSTERY, 2007.
BONES AND THE ROLLER COASTER MYSTERY, 2008.

Cam Jansen Series
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/STOLEN DIAMONDS, 1980.
CAM JANSEN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE UFO, 1980.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/DINOSAUR BONES, 1981.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/TELEVISION DOG, 1981.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/GOLD COINS, 1982.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/BABE RUTH BASEBALL, 1982.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/CIRCUS CLOWN, 1983.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/MONSTER MOVIE, 1984.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/CARNIVAL PRIZE, 1984.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/MONKEY HOUSE, 1985.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/STOLEN CORN POPPER, 1986.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/FLIGHT FIFTY-FOUR, 1989.
CAM JANSEN--MYSTERY/HAUNTED HOUSE, 1992.
CAM JANSEN--CHOCOLATE FUDGE MYSTERY, 1993.
CAM JANSEN--TRICERATOPS POPS MYSTERY, 1995.
CAM JANSEN/GHOSTLY MYSTERY, 1996.
CAM JANSEN/SCARY SNAKE MYSTERY, 1997.
CAM JANSEN/CATNAPPING MYSTERY, 1998.
CAM JANSEN/BARKING TREASURE MYSTERY, 1999.
CAM JANSEN/BIRTHDAY MYSTERY, 2000.
CAM JANSEN/SCHOOL PLAY MYSTERY, 2001.
CAM JANSEN/FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL MYSTERY, 2002.
CAM JANSEN/SCHOOL TROPHY MYSTERY, 2003.
CAM JANSEN/SNOWY DAY MYSTERY, 2004.
CAM JANSEN/VALENTINE BABY MYSTERY, 2005.
CAM JANSEN/SECRET SERVICE MYSTERY, 2006.
CAM JANSEN/MYSTERY WRITER MYSTERY, 2007.
CAM JANSEN/GREEN SCHOOL MYSTERY, 2008.
CAM JANSEN SUMMER CAMP MYSTERIES--A SUPER SPECIAL! 2007
CAM JANSEN SPORTS DAY MYSTERIES--A SUPER SPECIAL! 2009
THE CAM JANSEN FUN BOOK, 1992.
Other Viking Books
DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT THE WAR, 2008.
OUR GOLDA: THE STORY OF GOLDA MEIR, 1984.
EATON STANLEY AND THE MIND CONTROL EXPERIMENT, 1985.

*************************************
REVIEWS
Cam Jansen and the Mystery of Flight 54
David A. Adler
Illustrated by Susannna Natti
The fifth-grade girl detective has to find a visiting French girl who doesn't speak a word of English and is lost in the airport. Using her photographic memory, Cam remembers seeing an older man who looked like the uncle whom the girl is to meet. Maybe she followed the wrong person. Readers will enjoy seeing Cam deduce the mystery while adults fluster around. Natti's line drawings, one to three per chapter, lighten the text and flesh out the characters in this twelfth entry of the "Cam Jansen" series. 1999 (orig. 1992), Puffin Chapters, Ages 7 to 10, $11.99 and $3.99. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-670-81841-0
ISBN: 0-14-130459-6
ISBN: 0-14-036104-9

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Carnival Prize
David A. Adler
Illustrations by Susanna Natti
Cam and her friends can't wait for the school carnival. This year her class is raising money to buy books for the school library. The children scope out all the cool rides and games as they walk through the gate to lock up their bikes. The Water Gun Shoot, the Boat Race, the Baseball Throw and even the Button Jar Guess made someone in the group a winner every time. The Dime Toss however, was impossible to win. Cam is sure there is something strange going on and is determined to figure out what it is. The mystery is revealed as the children go under cover to solve this case. This book is part of "The Cam Jansen Adventure Series" which offers a variety of action packed stories about a girl in the fifth grade and her classmates. Black and white illustrations highlight the excitement. 1999 (orig. 1992), Puffin Books, Ages 7 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Sharon Tolle
ISBN: 0-14-036022-0

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown
David A. Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
While on a trip to see the circus with Aunt Molly, Cam and her friend Eric end up searching for a pickpocket. Aunt Molly is always losing things, but when they realize that she isn't the only one missing a wallet, Cam's photographic memory comes in handy. She's sure a clown is the culprit, but is it one of the circus clowns? Another enjoyable mystery in the "Cam Jansen Adventure" series-as with all of them, the heroine teaches children to pay attention to the details. 1998 (orig. 1983), Puffin, Ages 7 to 10, $12.99 and $3.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-670-20036-0
ISBN: 0-14-034897-2
ISBN: 0-14-130091-4

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones
David A. Adler
Illustrations by Susanna Natti
"Cam" is short for "camera", a nickname earned because she has a photographic memory. On a field trip to the museum, Cam notes that the Coelophysis skeleton is missing three tailbones. No one believes her, but she and her friend Eric pedal off on their bicycles in an attempt to catch the crooks. The story is quickly paced, and the two friends involve the authorities rather than entirely taking matters into their own hands. The series certainly proves the value of paying close attention to detail; the clues that Cam uses are in the book, but I had to look back to see that they were there. 1997 (orig. 1981), Puffin, Ages 7 to 10, $13.99 and $3.99. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-670-20040-9
ISBN: 0-14-034674-0
ISBN: 0-14-038715-3

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Gold Coins
David A. Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
The twists and turns in this fast-paced chapter book keep the reader guessing as well as reading. Cam has built a box camera for the science fair, only to have it stolen. Fortunately, her camera-like memory has kept a record of the many events preceding the theft. If she can unravel the facts, she hopes, the camera will reappear. She does, of course, and the second mystery of some stolen coins is resolved at the same time. A solid story, brisk and on target for the age group. 1998 (orig. 1982), Puffin, Ages 7 to 10, $11.99 and $3.99. Reviewer: Janet Morgan Stoeke
ISBN: 0-670-20038-7
ISBN: 0-14-038954-7

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monster Movie
David A. Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
In this reissue, another generation of kids will get to meet the intrepid and amazing Cam Jansen. This time the story takes place at a movie theater where the second reel of the Shoe Escape disappears. The major suspect is the owner of a competitive movie theater, but Cam with her photographic memory is able to deduce who the real thief is. Kids who dream of being detectives will enjoy the exploits of Cam and her friend Eric. Her very understanding and cooperative parents may be the only part that doesn't ring quite true. Part of the "Puffin Chapters" series. 1999 (orig. 1984), Puffin, Ages 7 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-14-130460-X
ISBN: 0-440-41022-3
ISBN: 0-14-036021-2

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Corn Popper
David A. Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
The fifth-grade girl detective is shopping for school supplies when another customer discovers her shopping bag is missing. Cam and her friend Eric follow leads until they not only find the thief but discover what she is doing with what she steals. A quick and satisfying read, the book is well served by Natti's line drawings in this eleventh entry of the "Cam Jansen" series. 1999 (orig. 1986), Puffin Chapters, Ages 7 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-14-130461-8
ISBN: 0-670-81118-1

Cam Jansen and the Triceratops Pops Mystery
David S. Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
As in the other "Cam Jansen" series books for young readers, this brief chapter book capitalizes on Cam's expert photographic memory. Cam and her buddy stumble upon a mystery at a local mall music shop while in search of a Triceratops Pops CD. The two sleuths track down the criminal who stole the six CDs, and return the merchandise to the store. As a reward, the store owner grants them a few free CDs. Providing positive role models for young readers, this text features two strong child protagonists who solve a mystery with little adult assistance. Though neither text nor illustration is of outstanding quality, Adler makes the plot complex enough to offer several possible solutions to the problem, which keeps readers guessing. This book and others in the series provide entertaining mysteries for children who are beginning to read chapter books, which could spark an interest in other, more challenging mysteries. 1997 (orig. 1995), Viking, Ages 7 to 10, $12.99 and $3.99. Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin
ISBN: 0-670-86027-1
ISBN: 0-14-037512-0


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The Babe and I

"Adler and Widener score big -- their book reads like a labor of love." -- Publishers Weekly

America's Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle

The Picture Biography Series (Holiday House)

"Adler has a near-miraculous ability to share an entire lifetime in a few words." -- School Library Journal review of A PICTURE BOOK OF DAVY CROCKETT.
"Lives of the characters unfold as stories."--Booklist review of A PICTURE BOOK OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
"A fine addition to the notable series." -- Kirkus review of A PICTURE BOOK OF JACKIE ROBINSON.

The Many Troubles of Andy Russell

There are five books now in the Andy Russell series. The first book, THE MANY TROUBLES OF ANDY RUSSELL, begins when Andy's gerbils get loose, seven them. This really happened in David Adler's house. Andy has other troubles, and he approaches them in his own unique way. Andy is based on a beloved member of David Adler's family.

LOU GEHRIG: THE LUCKIEST MAN

From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. Kids of today may not immediately recognize the name Lou Gehrig, but they will be immediately drawn into this picture book for older children about the "Iron Horse." Adler sets his narrative stage by telling readers that in 1903, Henry Ford sold his first auto, the Wright brothers took their first flight, and Lou Gehrig was born. Young Lou, who never missed a day of school, became a baseball player who never missed a game. Crisply and concisely, Adler covers the many high points of Gehrig's career, at the same time giving readers a real sense of the man and his shining spirit. Gehrig's illness and eventual death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are handled with dignity and in a way youngsters will understand. The picture-book format gets a lift here from Widener's impressive artwork. Reminiscent of WPA art with its rounded shapes and potent energy, these pictures project a zest for life on and off the playing field. The last spread, showing Yankee Stadium on the day of Gehrig's funeral, awash in rain, provides a silent but powerful ending to Gehrig's story.--Ilene Cooper

The Picture Book Biographies (Holiday House, publisher)

The Cam Jansen and Young Cam Jansen Mysteries (Viking/Penguin/Putnam, publisher)

Cam Jansen, the girl with the photographic memory, has been solving mysteries and helping children learn to love reading for almost twenty-five years.
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