News - L.B. Schulman

My New Fun Hobby: Toastmasters!

I became a Toastmasters member to work on my speaking skills. It’s been very eye opening. With every speech, I learn new ways to engage the audience. And the other members are so inspirational. Every meeting is like a TedX event. I love going to my Thursday lunch meetings and hearing amazing speeches. The members give immediate feedback and loads of encouragement. Check out my second speech, “Keeping History Alive Through Inspiration” – a Toastmaster’s speech about Stolen Secrets!

I have decided to record my speeches on Youtube to share my Toastmaster’s journey for other newbies (search for L.B. Schulman Toastmasters). Why not conquer that fear of public speaking?! The number one thing I need to work on is covering up the “blanks” that happen in the middle of the speech. They are scary! I had one in this speech, too, but I think I did an admirable job masking it. At least I didn’t apologize over and over again like I did with my last speech.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

For Holocaust Remembrance Day 2018, I wrote a post called Keeping History Alive Through Inspiration at School Library Journal’s Teen Librarian Toolbox. Mostly, my inspiration for Stolen Secrets was Anne Frank, one of the most influential witnesses to this tragic time. Did you know she reached 30 million people with her diary and it’s been printed in 70 languages? But today, many schools no longer require their students to read it. No wonder a study that came out last week found 1 in 10 Americans don’t even know what the Holocaust is….

Frank Sisters in Innocent Times

Librarian Events Coming Soon!

I am doing two events! The first, in May, will be to give a two minute speech to Jewish educators and librarians in New York City through the Jewish Book Network program. Hopefully, they will be so enamored with my speaking skills that they will want to share me at book clubs, library events, and school visits. In preparation, I’ve joined Toastmasters. I just gave my first speech and it was so much fun. Then, the following month, I travel to Boston to be on a panel with three other authors that examines history and fiction at the Association of Jewish Libraries. I couldn’t be more excited. I want my book to reach teens! They love it when they read it, but getting the word out there, in a sea of books, has been challenging. I am so happy to be able to share about it to our educators. My publisher, Boyds Mills Press, has been very generous and supportive. I feel fortunate. Now I better go write that speech….

L.B. speaks at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA

2018 Sydney Taylor Book Award for Stolen Secrets!

I can’t believe that Stolen Secrets has been named a Notable winner for the 2018 Sydney Taylor Book Awards. So thrilled! My first award for this book. I have dreamed about this specific one since the day I started writing the book. I just learned that the committee of 8 had to read and mull over 140 books. I appreciate so much what these panelists do to make their selections.

I actually put this on my 2017 Visualization board. Guess those things work?! (And now inspired to make a 2018 one). Hey, if any of you out there want to join me, send me a picture of your board and I would love to post it here on the website.

Happy New Year. May there be time and peace to read many books in 2018. Cheers!

P.S. My daughter made this picture for me. 🙂

Navigation