![]() ![]() ![]() Did you need to do research to create these authentic voices?Ībsolutely. His friend Paul is from Ukraine and English is not his first language. He uses a lot of fun phrases that reflect the period and setting. James, your main character, has a very distinctive voice. And setting it in Odessa allowed me to incorporate the immigrant story of Paul’s family, having come from a place of the same name and with a similar topography. I specifically set my story in Odessa, Texas as a tribute to my ancestors who hailed from Odessa, Ukraine. Once I knew that I wanted to follow the path of converso Jews who had left Spain and ultimately made their way to the U.S., I decided to choose Texas because most of them settled in the Southwest in this country. What inspired you to write a Jewish historical story based in Texas? The setting of your story is Odessa, Texas. James befriends a Jewish boy named Paul, and the relationship helps him uncover a family secret. The story tackles some serious topics but is infused with a bit of humor and a lot of heart. Welcome, Betsy! In 1928, 11-year-old James is trying to sort out his family’s bad luck while he grieves the loss of his beloved grandmother. WHEN LIGHTNIN’ STRUCK is a terrific historical novel about two unlikely friends in Odessa, Texas. I have known Betsy for many years, and it’s always a special treat to celebrate a friend’s new book. Rosenthal about her middle-grade novel WHEN LIGHTNIN’ STRUCK ( Kar-Ben, 2022). ![]() I’m excited to share my interview with Betsy R. ![]()
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