 Judith Kristen was
born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on April 3rd, 1948. She was an
illegitimate child -- a product of an affair her father had. Judy
was only three days old when she was taken by her father back to
his beautiful home in Philadelphia. George Everett Reed was a chemist
and a brilliant man, but he was also an alcoholic. He died from
the injuries he suffered in a car accident while intoxicated, the
year Judy turned twenty.
Her adoptive mother was the perfect June Cleaver mother, "a
place for everything and everything in its place" but she
lacked the warmth and love that a child needs, especially a child
like Judy. Her adoptive mother
was also an alcoholic, but a functional one.
The one true gift she was given by her parents was the
love of books. And
for that she is ever grateful. Judy could read quite well by age three, and,
pulled together her first short story when she was only five years old --much
to the delight and encouragement of her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Mitchell.
In those many years since Mrs. Mitchell's class back in 1953, Judy never
lost her love for reading and writing. It took her many decades before it
was possible to become the writer she and Mrs. Mitchell knew she could be,
but, it finally happened!
Using her life
experiences and memories of a difficult childhood, Judy is able
to reach young adults through her writing and personal appearances.
 
In the last two years, both of Judith Kristen's young adult
books - "The
Purple Hat Gang" and "Olivia Twist...a
quest for the glass half-full" -- have reached the number one spot
in several teen categories. "The Purple
Hat Gang" is
the ONLY self-published Teen book that reached the number
one spot on Barnes and Noble's online site ... in 5 different
categories!
"The
Light and Dark Side of Seventeen" was released on
March 21st and also went to the #1 spot right away!
Judith has toured over 250 Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools,
both public and private. She's given writing workshops, classes,
and feedback sessions to students
as well as their teachers. Her workshops, seminars, and assemblies are
called, "motivating,
powerful, fun, and exciting!" and they are in high demand.
Her latest success?
Forming The Teen Writers Guild at
her old Alma Mater, Frankford High School and
at Lindenwold High School in Lindenwold, NJ. She
has steadily guided these children - 9th through 12th grade - to bring
out the best
in them, to help them find their writing voice, and then, to put it into
print. These students, many of whom used to "fight for their lives" now "write
for their lives".
The Frankford Guild's book, "What
We Want to Tell You" was
released last February to rave reviews, as has their newest book, "Writings
on the Wall".! It's a compilation of each member's work.
All of the proceeds will benefit
the Frankford
High
School library.
These students also accompanied Judith and Magna Diaz, Frankford's school
librarian, to Hershey, Pa., in May, for the annual conference of Pennsylvania
School Librarians. This was a wonderful opportunity to show how
her highly successful program is reaching and teaching the students of
Philadelphia
and beyond.
As
of January 24th, 2007, the
Lindenwold Guild's book, "Hear
Us Roar" has just been published! This is a book that calls
out to be embraced by teachers, young adults and their parents. In
a world of so many "must reads" that are not .... this one
really
IS! Congratulations to all of the Teen Writers at Lindenwold High School!
 " What
we Want To Tell You":
-
The
book and its accompanying lesson plan is now being used at Catholic
University, in a graduate social-work course,
as a model for other schools in Philadelphia’s
Literacy Program.
-
“What
We Want To Tell You” will be making its appearance
at The
Harvard University Bookstore!
-
The Guild Writers
have just completed a POD cast.
-
The school
library received a call from "O" Magazine requesting information about the students and their
book!
And,
in addition to all of that, they were introduced on the
floor of The
Pennsylvania Senate on June 13th for their
outstanding achievements that were truly against all
odds.
Indeed, this has been no small feat. Frankford High School was labeled for
years by CNN as "One
of the most persistently dangerous schools
in America!"
It was an uphill battle and these kids knew it, but they stuck to their plan,
they did the work, and now the magic continues!
One of Judy's favorite quotes
perfectly fits this situation:
"Just
when the caterpillar thought the world was over... it
became a butterfly."
These children know exactly what she means... because they know where she
has come from...
...and, they have seen her fly...
Announcement
of 4 New Books in 2007!
"By December
2007, Judith will have added four of her own books
to the ever-growing collection:
 "My
Name is Henley":
My Name is Henley is a story
about an Old English Sheepdog. Abandoned
and left to die, the dog soon finds his life making a turn for the
better when he is rescued from a puppy mill and then adopted from
that rescuing shelter by a loving "Mom" and given a happy
home in which to live out the rest of his life.
Within a year of his arrival Henley welcomes not only another rescue animal
- a cat named Mandy - but four more rescued felines as well. Rose, Cynthia,
Mookie, and Ned eventually join the household before the year is out and fun,
chaos, and adventure abound!
Written in the dog's own voice, it brings this book to life in a way the reader
will find charming, informative, and entertaining.
There are times you will find yourself laughing outloud, and other times when
you will find yourself reaching for that box of Kleenex. A
book for animal lovers of all ages!
"The
Light and Dark Side of Seventeen":
On March 21st, Judith's latest young adult book was released. "The
Light and Dark Side of Seventeen" hit the number one spot in the young
adult category the day of its release!
"Paradox
Found":
This book will be the long awaited sequel to her best-selling "Another
Day In Paradox... a very unconventional love story" ...
"Sister
Sparkle":
This
book is a touching biography of the life of Judy's sister,Viva. The
two children (Judy and Viva) were
adopted by different families, and both girls grew up most of their
younger years believing they were cousins, when, of course, they were
not.
Viva's life was one of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and mental
abuse. Her one saving grace was that she was a fabulous dancer, so fabulous
in fact, that at age 17 she became one of New York
City's famed Rockettes! Viva worked over the years with the likes
of Barbra Streisand, Mary Martin, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, The Three Stooges,
Bing Crosby and many, many others. She also appeared on the cover of LIFE Magazine
with her fellow Rockettes, as well as gracing the cover of TV
Guide with Mary Martin, in an advertisement for one of the finest
Easter Specials ever to be programmed for national television. Viva's talent
gave her a ticket to ride away from her former life, although memories would
still haunt her for decades.
Now, at age 61, Viva's story has a happy ending. This book will stand as a testament
to the power of human will, and show that courage, a passion for life,
forgiveness and gratitude can indeed repair the child
within us all, so that we can make peace with our world as well
as with ourselves."
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