13-Year-Old Writes Kids Novel

By COLlive Staff

A 13-year-old Lubavitcher girl on Shlichus has written and self-published a novel for Lubavitcher girls age 9-13.

When Rochel Danow, who lives on Campus Shlichus in Leeds, UK, ran out of appropriate Jewish reading material, she decided to write the book she would love to read and make it available to other Lubavitchers.

It took 8 months for her dream to come true.

The 140 page novel, titled “Perspectives,” features the life of a girl on shlichus and some of her challenges, including her attitude to her special needs brother.

“The book took me about two weeks to write and over seven months to edit,” Rochel says proudly.

Lubavitcher readers will relate to the heroine of the book who lives a lifestyle so similar to them. There is a glossary at the back so it is also appropriate for all Jewish readers. The book recently sold out at the Kinus Hashluchos.

Shlucha Leah Namdar of Sweden, whose daughters enjoyed reading the book, highly recommends it:

“Rochel Danow is a refreshingly honest voice that many young people can relate to. She speaks to and for siblings of children with special needs, and shares her perspectives with astonishing insight for an author that young. Perspectives is book that will resonate with those who share Rochel’s experiences and serve as an important tool to promote awareness and sensitivity.”

Another reader says: “Perspectives gives us lively, must-carry-on-reading perspectives on so many issues close to the heart of the chabad teen girl, from who gets what parts in the school show, to relations with not (yet) frum girls, tsnius, and at the heart of the book, feelings about a special needs kid in the family. Written with astonishing perceptiveness, Rochel Danow traces her heroine’s growth in understanding. Perspectives is written by an astonishingly young girl but all ages, parents and grandparents can enjoy and be inspired.”

It is now available in Hamafitz and Judaica world and is also on sale at www.lulu.com at a special price of $15 (including shipping) until Pesach.

From the back of the book:
RIVKY LEVINE HAS A SPECIAL NEEDS BROTHER

Why is it only Rivky who doesn’t feel the same affection that all her siblings have for Shneur? Why does she think he ruined her perfect family?

Daniella Jacobson wants to suddenly change her whole outlook on life. Rivky wonders what change came over her and why.

Step into Rivky’s life and join her in her journey.

A book of growth and maturity and changing of PERSPECTIVES.