In stories we learn who we are.
Adina Gewirtz writes about families in strange situations -- both in this world and any other that might be out there. She loves to read, write, and talk about stories and the power they have to connect us across this fascinating, beautiful, and unpredictable world we all share.
I wrote my first book at age 12, about annoying little brothers. Decades later, I'm still writing about sisters and brothers, finding their way in families and leaning on each other in times of crisis. My books explore big ideas, strange circumstances, and the different lenses through which we each experience life.
Five siblings fall through a window into an alien world controlled by a power-hungry demagogue and find themselves at the center of an epic struggle that threatens to break the siblings apart even as they try desperately to find their way home together.
Praise for Blue Window
"Gewirtz adeptly positions Ganbihar somewhere between Lewis’ Narnia and and Atwood’s Gilead with its high-fantasy mythology, rich and complex use of language, and unabashed sexism. . . . complicated and relatable sibling relationships." -- Project Muse
"A classic portal fantasy, Blue Window reveals the intricacies of individual experience. As each sibling wrestles to understand Ganbihar’s societal ethics and values, divergent realities are created. Ultimately, the five siblings must reconcile these truths and their relationships to each other if they’re going to get home—or even survive." -- Foreword
"Old-school fantasy fans will be drawn into Gewirtz's complex story . . . . Narrator Emily Sutton-Smith presents distinct, childlike voices for Max, Susan, Nell, Kate, and Jean as they describe, in turn, their quest to avoid the malevolent characters that seek to destroy them and find their way home. In addition, narrator Luke Daniels delivers short, mysterious interludes that slowly come together with the children's voyage." -- Audiofile magazine (on the brilliance audio edition)
Blue Window inspired student composer Dean Hussey to compose an unofficial soundtrack for the book. Listen to it here!
When eleven-year-old Annie first started lying to her social worker, she had been taught by an expert: Gran. “If you’re going to do something, make sure you do it with excellence,” Gran would say. That was when Gran was feeling talkative, and not brooding for days in her room — like she did after telling Annie and her little brother, Rew, the one thing they know about their father: that he was killed in a fight with an angry man who was sent away. Annie tells stories, too, as she and Rew laze under the birches and oaks of Zebra Forest — stories about their father the pirate, or pilot, or secret agent. But then something shocking happens to unravel all their stories: a rattling at the back door, an escapee from the prison holding them hostage in their own home, four lives that will never be the same. Driven by suspense and psychological intrigue, Zebra Forest deftly portrays an unfolding standoff of truth against family secrets — and offers an affecting look at two resourceful, imaginative kids as they react and adapt to the hand they’ve been dealt.
Praise for Zebra Forest
[T]he absorbing voice and short chapters make this a taut, accessible read (and older readaloud), and kids will be engrossed by Annie’s dilemma. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The tight narrative—laden with symbolism, such as a copy of Treasure Island missing half of its pages, a backdrop of the Iran hostage crisis, and the forest itself—is held together with the strength of the characters. This slight, tense debut novel will interest children looking for suspense or family drama. -- Booklist
Gewirtz’s emotionally intense debut novel about the complications of families offers a perceptive heroine and poetic, impressive prose. -- Kirkus Reviews
Debut author Gewirtz successfully conveys the terror and tedium of being trapped...An emotionally honest family story with an ending that’s hopeful without being implausibly upbeat. -- Publishers Weekly starred review
Gewirtz veers away from melodrama, deftly capturing nuances of family dynamics in spare prose. ... [A]udiences will appreciate this novel’s multilayered characters and touching message of hope and forgiveness. -- School Library Journal starred review
With well-crafted characters and an engaging plot that doesn’t plod, Zebra Forest nails the basics. It’s a family mystery that slowly unwinds, with doses of suspense and intensity. ... A skillfully crafted debut novel from an author to watch. -- 100 Scope Notes (SLJ blog)
Clever plot twists, lyrical writing and empathetic characters make this book a must-not-miss. -- Georgia Times Union
Junior Book Award nominee, South Carolina, 2015-2016
School Library Journal "pick of the day," May 2013
Publishers Weekly pick, 2013
Amazon best book of the month, May 2013
VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers list
Keystone to Reading Book Awards nominee: Secondary division - Middle School Level, Pennsylvania
Volunteer State Book Award Nominee, Tennessee
Association of Children's Librarians of Northern CA Distinguished Books
Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award nominee: Intermediate category
NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
2014-2015 Dorothy Canfield Fisher award, Vermont
Morning Calm Medal shortlist, International Schools, Korea
Teaching guide to Zebra Forest from Teachingbooks.net
The Writer's Roadmap
Writing is thinking, which is why AI can only take you so far. Artificial intelligence can't cover a lack of the real thing. That's where The Writer's Roadmap comes in. Using humor and a clear, ten-step process, it teaches readers how to think about, structure, and evaluate a piece of writing.
Learn how to make a coherent, powerful argument, using evidence, examples and insights in this funny and accessible how-to guide for high school and college students.
Click the book covers to read a sample!
Structural Editing and Writing Coaching
Having trouble finding the shape of the story you want to tell? I coach writers and look at writing with an eye toward structure. If you're interested in a consultation, fill out the form below.
