Jude Mandell

At one point, adult and children’s book author Jude Mandell decided it might be fun to replace her publicity picture with the photo of a kitten-- to symbolize she’s lived a rather catlike nine lives. Luckily, she realized this move would be a “litter-ary” disaster, a “fresh step” down the wrong career path.

The nine lives description is true though.

Before Jude became a successful writer she was a kid star on a weekly TV show.

She sang with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera company when in her teens.

As a stage nun, she played in a summer stock production of The Sound of Music, which starred Partridge Family mom, singer-actress, Shirley Jones.

Jude studied voice and music education a Temple University while working summers part-time in an office that sold some of the hottest property in Philly.

She switched from teaching music to working with special education students and got a Master’s Degree from Penn State to make the switch official.

After she moved to Chicago, Jude designed expensive silver jewelry for a store owned by a wild-and-crazy, red-bearded Texan named Steve.

She did a gig performing improv comedy and children’s musical theater at the world famous Second City theater in Chicago, whose graduates include stars like Bill Murray, Shelly Long, Mike Myers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

While teaching and writing educational materials, Jude won a national award for an adult historical novel from Romance Writers of America,

How many lives are we up to already?

Jude has also worked in school systems with all kinds of students, including general and special education, college-level bilingual students, and student teachers. She has taught journaling to oncology patients at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. She teaches writing classes for young and old, provides editorial and critique services for other writers in the field.

Most recently, Jude has been writing for the children’s and young adult markets, in both fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction titles for young readers include SUPER SPORTS STAR GARY PAYTON (Enslow, Inc, June 2001, middle grade and SUPER SPORTS STAR ALONZO MOURNING, Enslow, Inc, May 2003.

Jude has two adult projects in the hopper at present, a sci-fi thriller, and a novel involving famed film star, Marilyn Monroe.

Jude not only writes books, she is often “booked” herself, as a speaker and writing workshop leader, visiting schools, libraries and organizations. Using a fun, hands-on approach, Jude gets everyone involved. Her audiences respond with excitement and enthusiasm, as they discover and celebrate the creativity inside themselves. You can find a listing of current workshops below. Or visit Jude’s other website, at www.scbwi-illinois.org/Mandell.html

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:

“Thank you so much for inspiring our students. We enjoyed having you visit St Frances Xavier School and appreciate all you did to deliver two great days."
“. . . thank you again for all of the extraordinary effort you put into my manuscript. Your wonderful comprehensive input made a big difference in the final version. You really went above and beyond . . . I appreciate it very much.”
" . . . the students were excited and involved with the dramatic way you made the characters come alive! I would highly recommend your presentation to children and educators. You have promoted our students' interest and motivation to read."
" . . . Thank you for presenting . . . at the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators. The practical information shared with the Preservice Students will serve them well throughout their teaching careers . . ."
" . . . I wanted you to know that you were one of the best teachers I have had. You were very encouraging and supportive of all of us, your students. I guess I just wanted to say THANK YOU. Also, I wanted to tell you what a great inspiration you have been to me. I . . . needed the "fire lit" under me . . . I . . . have been writing, writing, writing!"
". . . Her classes always provide critical (no punches pulled) insights. . . . I always come away from each class looking at my work in new ways."