Q&A with Audrey Ades

 

 

 

Audrey Ades is the author, with Jason Schachter McKinney, of the new children's picture book Jason Belongs: The Story of Jason Schachter McKinney. Ades's other books include The Rabbi and the Reverend. She lives in South Florida. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Jason Belongs?

 

A: Like most writers, I am always on the lookout for interesting stories that have not yet been told. One morning a few years ago, I was looking through the newspaper and saw an ad for a concert at a local synagogue. They had invited a cantorial soloist to sing Broadway songs as part of their Shabbat service.

 

The photo in the ad featured Jason’s smiling face. A smiling Black face. As both a white Jew and the mother of an adopted child of color who we raised Jewish, I naturally wondered about Jason’s journey.

 

Q: Why did you decide to collaborate on this book?

 

A: Authors often collaborate with their subjects if they can. Our subjects are our best source of information. It is true, however, that most authors don't give them a byline. With Jason Belongs, I broke the mold. I wrote the words to this book, but because it is Jason’s journey, it just felt right that we should both get authorship credit.

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: The book’s title came as I wrote the final pages to the final draft of the book. Throughout his journey, Jason asks himself, “Where do I belong?” From childhood through young adulthood, he struggles to find a community that will accept him as he is. By the end of the book, Jason has found the place where he belongs.

 

Q: Reviewer Doreen Robinson, on The Sydney Taylor Shmooze, said of the book, “This is an excellent picture book to use as a teachable moment, to discuss Jewish diversity, what it means to be Jewish, and how to be true to yourself. It’s an important book that tackles the universal theme of belonging and the search for identity.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I love Doreen’s comment! We are all unique creatures. At different points in our lives, we all struggle with Jason’s question, “Where do I belong?” We may feel unwelcome, different, or judged by the people around us. We wonder how we can fit in and stay true to who we are. Asking the question is almost inevitable. The interesting part is how we respond.

 

Doreen also addressed the theme of Jewish diversity. Many American Jews assume that Jews in this country have white skin. In today’s world, this is simply not true. American synagogues, temples and shuls have increasingly diverse memberships.  

 

For more information about the joyous and thriving multi-racial Jewish community in America, please check out https://educator.jewishedproject.org/content/multiracial-and-multiethnic-jewish-community.

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: This book takes on two important topics: finding your place in the world and accepting others.

 

In the first case, I hope kids will understand that finding your place in the world can take a long time. Don’t give up. Keep doing what makes your heart happy. Work hard at what you love. Trust that you will find the place where you belong. Most of us do. 

 

There is also a second important theme to this story: acceptance. Happily, I think we have made a lot of progress in the Jewish community with acceptance since Jason was a boy decades ago.

 

At first, Jason is not accepted as a Jew by his white friends because his skin is Black. I hope kids will consider how they would feel if Jason were in their class. Or, if they were in Jason’s position. This story presents opportunities for discussions about friendship, racism and acceptance of others. 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: Thanks for asking! Right now I am looking for my next great story! I also have a couple of books in the pipeline that I can’t wait to share with you.

 

Q: Anything else we should know? 

 

A: Only that I’d love to hear from young readers, teachers, parents and librarians who have read my books. You can reach me through my website: AudreyAdesBooks.com.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Audrey Ades.