Alongtime editor and executive vice president ofthe Scholastic Books Reading Club , Montclair resident Judy Newman loves to foster the joy of reading inthe young — somuch sothat afew years ago , she started adding to the chapter book shelves with her own series . Using the pseudonym Pepper Springfield , she wrote Meet the Bobs and Tweets ( illustrations by Kristy Caldwell ). Itdrew immediate praise , and was chosen as an International Literacy Association Children ’ s Choices 2017 Reading List pick , one of 32 Young Reader titles toberead in classrooms nationwide . Inadvance of last summer ’ s publication of Book No . 2 , Perfecto Pet Show , Newman owned up to the Montclair Times about her authorship .
Locally , she is known for carrying on atradition that kids love : handing out books as Halloween treats .
“ It has grown over the years , and now each Halloween night we have kids dragging their families tocome to the ‘ Book House ,’” Newman says . “ Having kids line up , desperate to get books , makes mesohappy .”
She expresses gratitude to her neighbors for their support , noting that “ the volume oftrick – or-treaters on our block requires lots of extra candy-purchasing .” In 2016 , she ran out of books to dole out by 7p . m . Newman may be giving away books , but she gets much in return , she says .
“ The kids line up and tell me what they like toread . Iwant to hear what they like toread , and not what their teachers or parents think they should read ,” Newman says .“ And they love to share . Sometimes it ’ stough when they want toreally chat for awhile about books , and there isalong line
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AKA PEPPER SPRINGFIELD Editor , author and book-giver Judy Newman relaxes while reading .
of zombies , and SpongeBob ’ s , and witches , and ninjas waiting in line .” Their parents , she says , tell her that the books their children got from “ the book lady ” were the ones that turned them into readers .
“ That is hugely heartening for me to hear ,” she says . “ I was talking with Newbery Medal-winning author
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Kwame Alexander about this tradition . He was bowled over , and said he planned to do it at his house next year , too .”
The third in the Bobs and Tweets series is due out for publication in fall 2018 . Its subject : ahilarious Halloween adventure . ■
— CINDYSCHWEICHHANDLER
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COURTESY OFSCHOLASTIC BOOKS |
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22 FALL 2017 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE |