|
|
|
20th Anniversary!
Jean's first essay in a national publication read
|
|
Follow Jean on Facebook 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo/Lara Anne Salter
|
|
Jean Alicia Elster, B.A., J.D., is the author of the novel Who’s Jim Hines?—for ages 8 and older—published by Wayne State University Press. Released in August 2008, it is now in its second printing. Who’s Jim Hines? was selected as one of the Library of Michigan’s 2009 Michigan Notable Books. In addition, the Michigan Reading Association has placed Who’s Jim Hines? on the Great Lakes Great Books Award 2009-2010 ballot for grades 4-5. Who’s Jim Hines? was also a ForeWord Magazine 2008 Book of the Year Award Finalist in the category of Juvenile Fiction.
Elster is also the author of the children’s book series “Joe Joe in the City,” published by Judson Press. The first volume in that series, Just Call Me Joe Joe, was released in October 2001 and is now in its second printing. The remaining volumes are: I Have A Dream, Too! (May, 2002), I’ll Fly My Own Plane (September, 2002), and I’ll Do the Right Thing (January, 2003). She was awarded the 2002 Governors’ Emerging Artist Award by ArtServe Michigan in recognition of the series. I’ll Do the Right Thing was awarded the 2004 Atlanta Daily World Atlanta Choice Award in the category of children’s books.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Calendar
|
May 19, 2012, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Flint Public Library Book Expo
1026 E. Kearsley Flint, MI 48502
Author selling/signing—
“Joe Joe in the City” series and
Who’s Jim Hines?
More info http://www.fpl.info
August 11, 2012, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 4th Annual Reading Rocks in Rockford
Authors’ Row in Garden Park
Located in downtown Rockford at the Rogue River Dam Rockford, MI 49341
Jean Alicia Elster will sell and sign copies of the “Joe Joe in the City” series and Who’s Jim Hines?
|
|
|
NEW! Contact Jean Alicia Elster to schedule a virtual author visit via Skype for your school, library or reading group. click here
See Skype Interview with Dr. Nichelle Boyd's social studies methods class at the University of Mississippi | click here |
|
|
Who's Jim Hines? trailer
scroll below
 | ORDER NOW |
|
|
|
Published by
Wayne State University Press
Detroit, Michigan
|
"A lively and engaging story that is steeped in history but cleverly weaves in universal elements of family, father-son relationships, boyhood friendships, and life’s challenges."
Juanita Moore, President and CEO
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Detroit, Michigan
"...Elster blends personal, local, and national histories into a well-told narrative for readers of all ages."
Kristy Brugar
Lecturer, Teacher Education, Social Studies
College of Education
Wayne State University
Award-Winning
Who’s Jim Hines?
2009 Michigan Notable Book, awarded by the Library of Michigan
| click here |
2009-2010 Great Lakes Great Books Award Ballot for
Grades 4th – 5th,
a program of the Michigan Reading Association
2008 ForeWord Magazine
Book of the Year Award Finalist
in the category of Juvenile Fiction
| click here |
|
|
Jean's Latest Book
Grand Rapids Press book review editor interviews Jean. | listen |
Detroit Free Press article by Desiree Cooper | read |
Listen to Jean's Interview on WDET FM Detroit Radio | listen |
Jean's interview from the Judson Press podcast series. | listen |
Order your copy now!
Who’s Jim Hines?
Who’s Jim Hines? is a coming of age story about a twelve year old African American boy—Douglas Ford, Jr.—as he comes to terms with the racial realities of Detroit, Michigan in 1935.
Doug’s father is the owner of the Douglas Ford Wood Company, and Doug usually helps his dad around the wood yard located in the side lot next to their house. But when Doug loses his textbooks on the way home from school one day, he’s got to earn the money to pay for more books. And he does it by joining his father in the backbreaking work of delivering wood to customers throughout Detroit and its suburbs. Doug, who knows all of his father’s other drivers, sees this as his chance to unravel the mystery that he’s never before been in a position to do anything about—discovering the identity of the only one of his father’s drivers whom he’s heard of but never seen: Mr. Jim Hines.
Based on a true story, the focus of the plot is on Douglas Ford, Jr. and the successful family-owned business, the Douglas Ford Wood Company—a scrap wood enterprise owned and operated by his father. Unique in the segregated Depression-era city of Detroit, the Ford family lives in a racially mixed community of blacks from the South and Eastern European immigrants.
The book is rich in its descriptions of life at that time—the auto factories, the unions, Northern-style segregation, and the effect of color distinctions within the black community. But it also brings to light the unique way in which Doug’s father must conduct his business in order to support his family and contribute to the prosperity of his neighborhood. In an emotional climax, Doug must confront the how and why of the heartbreaking reality about the Douglas Ford Wood Company.
| more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 15, 2012, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Detroit Working Writers 2012 Conference— From Passion to Profession Clinton-Macomb Public Library
40900 Romeo Plank Road
Clinton Twp., MI 48038
Jean Alicia Elster will lead the workshop session “Writing for Young Adults: Don’t Waste Your Time”
1:40 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Registration or more info: click here
November 10, 2012, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Writing Workshop Lenox Township Library
58976 Main Street
New Haven, MI 48048
Jean Alicia Elster will lead the workshop session “Writing for Children: Do You Really Like Kids?”
For more info click here
Or call Karen White-Owens
586-749-3430
|
|
"Joe Joe in the City" Series
10th Anniversary of the publication of I Have a Dream, Too!
|
|
|
"The story teaches Joe Joe that even though he is treated unfairly because of his race, it doesn't change who he is."
Associated Press
"Thanks again for the great stories and characters in the "Joe Joe in the City" series. They are now a staple in every class I teach."
Nichelle Boyd, Ph.D.
Assoc. Professor of Curriculum & Instruction
University of Mississppi
|
|
