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Jeff Gottesfeld

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Jeff Gottesfeld
Born
Howard Jeffrey Gottesfeld

1956 (age 67–68)[1]
EducationColby College (BA)[2]
University of San Francisco (JD)[2]
Occupations
  • Novelist
  • playwright
  • writer
Notable workTwenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (illustrated by Matt Tavares)
The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window (illustrated by Peter McCarty)
Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry (illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha)
The Christmas Mitzvah (illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha)
The World’s Strongest Librarian (play adaptation of the book by Josh Hanegarn)

Howard Jeffrey Gottesfeld[3][4] (born 1956) is an American novelist, playwright, and screen and television writer.

Under the pseudonym of Zoey Dean (which he shared with his former wife Cherie Bennett), Gottesfeld co-wrote How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls which was developed into the series Privileged.[5][6]

He is also an award-winning children's literature author. His titles include Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (illustrated by Matt Tavares), listed on The Wall Street Journal and Kirkus Reviews’ best books for children lists and the School Library Journal’s outstanding non-fiction children’s book list.[7][8][9] The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window (illustrated by Peter McCarty) won the Association of Jewish Libraries’ Sidney Taylor Award for notable title, and was named on the Chicago Public Library’s Best Children’s Book list, and The New York Times’ Best Illustrated Children’s Books.[10][11][12] No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan was named the Freeman Book Award’s best picture book.[13] Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry (illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha) won the Independent Publishers Association’s Bronze Medal, Children’s Picture Book (All Ages) and the Christopher Award.[14][15][16] The Association of Jewish Libraries named The Christmas Mitzvah (illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha), its Honor Book silver medal winner for the Sydney Taylor Book Award.[17]

In addition, his play World’s Strongest Librarian won the American Alliance for Theatre and Education’s Distinguished Play Award.[18]

Biography

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Gottesfeld grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, attended Teaneck High School,[19] Colby College, and then the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Gottesfeld has written freelance for numerous magazines and newspapers, and continues to publish essays on such subjects as trends in young adult fiction, the effect of the Gaza conflict on American Jewish family relations, Confederate flag, immigration policy, and trends in young adult fiction

His fiction ranges from elementary age children to adult. For television, he has written for such shows as Smallville and The Young and the Restless. Together with Cherie Bennett, he has written under the pen name Zoey Dean.[20] Under the Zoey Dean pen name, Gottesfeld and Bennett wrote The A-List series of books (developed by the same publishing group as Gossip Girl), and How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls, which was developed into the series Privileged.[21] His credits also include novelizations for Dawson’s Creek, Smallville and for the WWE.[6]

His first picture book was The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window, published by Random House/Knopf in March, 2016. It received starred reviews in Booklist and School Library Journal. His 2020 children's book, No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan, documents the life and activism of Beate Sirota Gordon.[22] It is the winner of the 2020 NCTA Freeman Award, for the best children's book about Asia.[23] It was also a runner-up finalist for the 2020 National Jewish Book Award.[24] His March, 2021 picture book, with illustrations by Matt Tavares, is Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, published by Candlewick Press. It received a number of starred reviews, as well as praise from the Wall Street Journal.[25][26][27] It is about the origins of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its Tomb Guards.[28] Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry, illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha and printed in 2023, was a spring showcase selection for the Children’s Book Council, winner of the Goddard Riverside Children’s Book Council Youth Prize for Social Justice award, the Christophers Award and recipient of the bronze medal of the Independent Publishers Association (IPPY) for Children’s Picture Book (All Ages).[15][16][14]

Gottesfeld’s Honor Flight will be released in 2026, an illustrated book about the Honor Flight organization, illustrated by Matt Tavares. In addition, We All Serve, an illustrated book about how the children of service families, known as military brats, all serve in their own way, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, will be released the same year.[29]

Television credits

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The Young and the Restless (hired by Lynn Marie Latham)

  • Script Writer: December 14, 2006 - December 21, 2007; March 18 - August 19, 2008
  • Associate Head Writer: July 2007 - December 21, 2007; March 18 - July 10, 2008

As the World Turns

  • Breakdown Writer: 2005

Port Charles

Another World

  • Story Consultant: 1997

Girls Got Game: 2006

Smallville: 2001 - 2002

Films

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Selected bibliography

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Books

  • Anne Frank And Me, with Cherie Bennett (2002)
  • A Heart Divided, with Cherie Bennett (2004)
  • Turn Me On, under the pseudonym Cherie Jeffrey (2007)
  • How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls, under the pseudonym Zoey Dean (2007)
  • The A-List, 10 book series, under the pseudonym Zoey Dean (2004-2008)
  • The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window, illustrated by Peter McCarty (2016)
  • No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan, illustrated by Shiella Witanto (2020)
  • Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, illustrated by Matt Tavares (2021)
  • The Christmas Mitzvah, illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha (2021)
  • Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry, illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha (2023)
  • Honor Flight, illustrated by Matt Tavares (2026)
  • We All Serve, illustrated by TeMika Grooms (2026)

Plays

  • A Heart Divided
  • Anne Frank and Me, with Cherie Bennett
  • 10 x 10 ten short plays about values, editor (2005)
  • Does My Head Look Big in This? with Elizabeth Wong, adapted from the novel by Randa Abdel-Fattah (2014)
  • The World's Strongest Librarian with Elizabeth Wong, adapted from the memoir by Josh Hanagarne (2016)

Awards and nominations

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  • 2016, The New York Times, Best Illustrated Children’s Books for The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window
  • 2016, Chicago Public Library Best Children’s Book list for The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window
  • 2017, Association of Jewish Libraries, Sydney Taylor Book Award notable title for The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window
  • 2017, Booklist, “Lasting Connections” list of top 30 books of the year grades K-12 for The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window[31]
  • 2017, International Reading Association, Notable Books for a Global Society, for The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window[32]
  • 2017, National Council for the Social Studies & Children’s Book Council, Notable Social Studies Trade Books, The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window[33]
  • 2017, Children’s Book Council, One World Many Stories listfir The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window[34]
  • 2017, American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Distinguished Play Award for World’s Strongest Librarian
  • 2020, Children’s Book Council, Champions of Change Booklist for No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan[35]
  • 2020, National Jewish Book Award, picture book category runner-up. No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan[36]
  • 2021, Freeman Book Award in picture book category, for No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan
  • 2021, winner, Audrey Geisel Friend of Military Children Award for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • 2021, Tablet magazine, outstanding Jewish children’s book list for The Christmas Mitzvah[37]
  • 2021, School Library Journal, outstanding non-fiction children’s book list for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[9]
  • 2021 Kirkus, Best Picture Books of the Year for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[8]
  • 2021, Wall Street Journal, Best Books for Children for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • 2022, nominee, North Carolina Children’s Book Award for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[38]
  • 2022, Texas Topaz list for Nonfiction (unanimous choice) for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[39]
  • 2022 Association of Jewish Libraries, Sydney Taylor Book Award, Honor Book silver medal, for The Christmas Mitzvah[17]
  • 2022, American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Books List for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[40]
  • 2023-24, Hoosier State Young Book Award nominee for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[41]
  • 2023, Children’s Book Council, Spring Showcase Selection for Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry 2023-24
  • Charlie May Simon Book Awards nominee for Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier[42]
  • 2023, Goddard Riverside Children’s Book Council Youth Prize for Social Justice award for Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry[43]
  • 2024, Christophers Award, Books for Young People for Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry 2024[16]
  • 2024, Independent Publishers Association (IPPY) Bronze Medal, Children’s Picture Book (All Ages) for Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry

References

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  1. ^ United States Public Records, 1970-2009 (New York, California, Tennessee, 1991-2008)
  2. ^ a b LinkedIn Profile
  3. ^ Colby College (Class of 1977) Yearbook
  4. ^ https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/howard-jeffrey-gottesfeld-1185172 [dead link‍]
  5. ^ Herman, Alison (2022-04-07). "You Know You Love Me: 'Gossip Girl' and the Tween YA Explosion of the 2000s". The Ringer. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  6. ^ a b Spears, Dante (2011-08-07). "Jeff Gottesfeld Interview: Author of new WWE book – SuperFan!". www.cultofwhatever.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  7. ^ Gurdon, Meghan (December 10, 2021). "The Best Books of 2021: Children's Books".
  8. ^ a b "Best Informational Picture Books of 2021". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  9. ^ a b Simmons, Alyssa Annico, Karen Bilton, Abby Bussen, Kimberly Fakih, Kelly Kingrey-Edwards, Mary Lanni, Amanda Mastrull, John Scott, Florence. "Best Nonfiction 2021 | SLJ Best Books". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Times, The New York (2016-11-03). "The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2016". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  11. ^ "Sydney Taylor Book Award". Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  12. ^ "Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2016". Chicago Public Library. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  13. ^ "2020 Archives - NCTAsia". www.nctasia.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  14. ^ a b "ABOUT". ippyawards.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  15. ^ a b "Monarch Mysteries". www.cbcbooks.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  16. ^ a b c "The Christophers Awards Announced". thechristophers. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  17. ^ a b "Sydney Taylor Book Award". Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  18. ^ Renshaw, Scott. "Not Going By the Book". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  19. ^ About Jeff, Jeff Gottesfeld. Accessed February 12, 2020. "I grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, where I went to Whittier School, Benjamin Franklin Junior High School, and Teaneck High School."
  20. ^ Biography: Zoey Dean. Scholastic Corporation (accessed September 20, 2015)
  21. ^ "Shows A-Z - privileged on cw | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  22. ^ "Children's Book Review: No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon's Battle for Women's Rights in Japan by Jeff Gottesfeld, illus. by Shiella Witanto. Creston, $18.99 (44p) ISBN 978-1-939547-55-2". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  23. ^ "Freeman Book Awards". 9 November 2016.
  24. ^ "2020 National Jewish Book Award Winners". 5 February 2021.
  25. ^ "TWENTY-ONE STEPS | Kirkus Reviews".
  26. ^ "The Horn Book".
  27. ^ Gurdon, Meghan Cox (26 February 2021). "Children's Books: 'Too Small Tola' Review - WSJ". Wall Street Journal.
  28. ^ "Candlewick Press - Catalog".
  29. ^ "Rights Report: Week of February 19, 2024". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  30. ^ Leydon, Joe (September 21, 2006). "Broken Bridges". Variety. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  31. ^ Special Feature: Lasting Connections; 2016, by | Booklist Online.
  32. ^ "Notable Books for a Global Society - 2017 List of winners" (PDF). Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) of the International Reading Association.
  33. ^ "Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2017" (PDF). National Council for the Social Studies & Children’s Book Council.
  34. ^ "The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window". www.cbcbooks.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  35. ^ "Being Jack". www.cbcbooks.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  36. ^ January 27 (2021-01-27). "2020 National Jewish Book Award Winners - Jewish Book Council". www.jewishbookcouncil.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ Freemer, Rachel (November 17, 2021). "The Best Jewish Children's Books of 2021". Tablet Magazine.
  38. ^ "North Carolina Children's Book Award: 2022 Results and Materials". North Carolina Children's Book Award. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  39. ^ Woodland, Wendy (2022-01-11). "2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List Announced". Texas Library Association. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  40. ^ "2022 Notable Children's Books | Association for Library Service to Children". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  41. ^ "TeachingBooks | Young Hoosier Book Award, 2023-2024, Intermediate Books". teachingbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  42. ^ "Bentonville Public Library - Charlie May Simon". bentonvillelibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  43. ^ ""Excluded," "Food for Hope" win our Social Justice Book Prizes | Goddard Riverside". goddard.org. 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
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