Norman H. Finkelstein

Photo provided by author.

Interview

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

Unlike normal children of my youth, my favorite book, which I first read in the fifth grade and reread through high school, is The Wooden Horse by Eric Williams. It is a drama filled story of a British flier’s escape from a German prisoner of war camp. Even as a kid I simply enjoyed nonfiction more than fiction although as I’ve aged more and more fiction titles (mainly mysteries) have entered my reading lists. I had a particularly déjà vu moment when I discovered a copy in the school library I worked in for over twenty five years. Although I could interest only one student to read it during my tenure, I left it on the shelf when I retired.

Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?

Daniel Pinkwater – I love his quirky humor. (Try reading his Aunt Lulu without smiling.) Russell Freedman – A great writer of children’s nonfiction. Lawrence Block – My favorite writer of adult mysteries.

Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?

When people ask me what I do I tell them “I fill holes.” My goal in writing for young people is to present with aspects of history they might have missed in typical history textbooks or in class.

Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?

Read, read and read some more. Ask questions. Be curious.