ArtScroll Staff

A Conversation With Libby Lazewnik: Author of The Starlight Sisters Volume 1: — Ora’s Story — Second Fiddle

Published on December 21, 2023 by ArtScroll StaffLeave a comment

AS: A new Libby Lazewnik series! Great news! Tell us a little about the characters of Starlight Sisters — and why readers are going to love them.

LL: There are four Starlight Sisters — not actual sisters, but friends — to start with, with a fifth to make her appearance later in the series. Each of the four girls has a particular talent, a particular kind of family situation, and a particular middah that she needs to work on. The girls are not perfect — I’ve tried to make them very real, very relatable. Each of the girls narrates “her” book, so we get to know them all really well — inside and out. By the time you’re done, they’ll be your best friends! This first volume begins with Ora’s story. Ora has a gorgeous voice, a wonderful family, excellent marks in school … and a problem that’s going to take her an entire book to solve!

AS: You chose an interesting setting: a Bais Yaakov-type school for super-talented girls. Is that something you always dreamed of?

LL: Although I did belong to my school’s dance group, performing as a dancer was not my dream. My own “superpower” was always writing …. But I was definitely fascinated by the idea of kids putting on professional-quality performances and what goes on behind the scenes. And I know that many, many girls long to be in productions and performances.

AS: What age group are you writing for?

The Starlight Sisters are in seventh grade, so these books are aimed at my usual young-adult crowd, age approximately 10-14.

AS: The question everyone asks you: After writing so many books and articles, how do you keep finding such fresh and original plots?

LL: Life is constantly fresh and original. I just keep my eyes open … and daven!

AS: Without giving away any secrets — what can we expect in future books in the series?

As I said, we’re looking at a fifth Starlight Sister to join the group after a very dramatic sort of introduction to our old friends. Apart from that, there’ll be more performances, more “family and friends stuff,” more character growth — and a super-exciting trip to London, where they’ll be giving a command performance, to top it all off!

Order your copy TODAY at ArtScroll.com

SURPRISE! ArtScroll’s Incredible 40%-Off Its Daily Deals Sale – and the Chanukah Bestsellers

Published on December 11, 2023 by ArtScroll StaffLeave a comment

Aren’t surprises great? Aren’t Chanukah presents great? Isn’t family great?

So here’s some REALLY GREAT NEWS for our ArtScroll family of readers:

There’s a surprise Chanukah present waiting for you, every night of Chanukah!

Yes, ArtScroll is offering an amazing 40% off on its daily specials, for the lowest prices ever on many of our most popular offerings!

Here’s how it works. Every day, readers will get a special deal – 40% off on one specific set. I can’t tell you what they are, because that will spoil the surprise! But it will be a set. Maybe Mishnah. Perhaps Gemara. Possibly Chumash. Whatever the daily deal is, we can promise, it will be a great one.

If you’re on our ArtScroll BookNews list, you’ll be getting an email every day with details of that specific special deal. (If you’re not on the list, GET ON! You can register on the artscroll.com homepage, and you’ll find special offers, lots of great features, and everything you want to know about ArtScroll books there.) If you’re not on the list, you can find the daily 40%-off deal on artscroll.com. Or ask your local bookseller for the “deal of the day.”

In addition to the 40% off daily deal, ArtScroll is, of course, also offering its 20% Chanukah sale on ALL titles. That includes Torah classics, children’s books, cookbooks – everything!

Here are some of the Chanukah bestsellers that everyone is asking for. For morahs and mothers, Marblespoon At Home is this season’s go-to gift. Two great bios are inspiring thousands: B’Ahava, Benny by Yisroel Besser, and Rav Nota by Shmuel Botnick. Love historical fiction? Try the Strasbourg Saga, twelve (count ‘em, 12!) paperback books in one impressive slipcased set. Teach kids honesty and great middos with Let’s Be Honest and The Big Book of Middos 2, and entertain pre-teens with Libby Lazewnik’s fabulous new series, The Starlight Sisters Volume 1. We need lots of inspiration in these trying times, and you’ll find it in Rabbi Daniel Glatstein’s fascinating Rebbe Meir Baal HeNeis and the Eternal Children of Hashem.

Chanukah will be ending in the next few days, but keep the light and inspiration with ArtScroll’s books. Because books are forever.

WATCH: Inside ArtScroll Season 4:18: Rabbi Daniel Glatstein – The Mystery of Rebbi Meir

Published on December 7, 2023December 7, 2023 by ArtScroll StaffLeave a comment

In his new book, Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess and the Eternal Children of Hashem, Rabbi Daniel Glatstein welcomes us to the world of Rebbi Meir Baal HaNess, a place where the loving embrace of Hashem to His people is tangible. We discover the power of the words “Eloka D’Meir Aneini” and how Rebbi Meir’s worldview is the very foundation of Torah.

Rabbi Glatstein is one of the Jewish world’s most popular speakers and respected maggidei shiur. In this fascinating Inside ArtScroll interview, he discusses this landmark work, which will uplift your heart even in the most trying times. [Purchase the book HERE.]

On the go? Also available to stream on all major Podcast platforms!

A Conversation with Shmuel Botnick Author of Rav Nota: The Story of Rav Nota Greenblatt — Champion of Torah Judaism

Published on December 6, 2023December 6, 2023 by ArtScroll StaffLeave a comment

AS: Rav Nota’s name was a household word in some parts of the United States, and unknown in others. For those who don’t recognize the name, tell us a little about his life and achievements.

SB: Nota Greenblatt was born in 1925. From a young age he demonstrated brilliance and incredible diligence in his learning. He learned under many of the 20th century’s greatest rabbanim, and he became exceptionally close to Rav Moshe Feinstein. Though he lived in the quiet Jewish community in Memphis, his genius and devotion to Klal Yisrael soon became clear, and he became a much sought-after posek. A member of the elite “million mile travel club,” he spanned continents to help Jews, whether to release a woman whose husband wouldn’t give her a get, to ensure that a Jewish child wherever he was would have a proper bris milah, or to help and give chizuk to a Jewish prisoner, a suffering family, or a beloved talmid.

AS: Did Rav Nota ever discuss why he was satisfied living in a quiet southern Jewish community, far from the Torah centers?

SB: As we see from literally hundreds of stories about him, Rav Nota made it very clear that a person must do what he can to help Klal Yisrael and make a difference. It was obvious to him that he could make a greater difference in a community that has fewer resources than do the larger Jewish centers, and so he was perfectly content with living in Memphis. He saw it as his life’s mission.

AS: What were the unique challenges that you faced in writing this biography?

SB: Locating interviewees! Rav Nota travel ed all over the world and there was no real way to know who on Earth (literally) had interactions with him. It was a challenging search, but we succeeded in reaching many of the countless people whom he helped.

AS: What are some lessons we can learn from Rav Nota’s life?

SB: The main takeaway, in my opinion, is the ability to take a step back from yourself. Rav Nota deserved so much honor and recognition and he pursued none of it. He gave of his time, his money, and his energy to help everyone who needed his help, anywhere, anytime.

Purchase your copy TODAY at ArtScroll.com

Yes! Here at Last: ArtScroll’s 20%-Off-Everything Sale!

Published on December 1, 2023 by ArtScroll StaffLeave a comment

From now through December 18th, take 20% off every ArtScroll book! Classics. Sets. Cookbooks. Children’s books. Books for Chanukah gifts, for bar/bat mitzvah gifts, and books for “I need this for my emunah/learning/inspiration/or just to keep my sanity.”

Here are some of our newest releases, great books at great prices.

The Schottenstein Edition Rashi Elucidated: The elucidation/commentary is clear enough for a student to understand and thorough enough for a talmid chacham to appreciate. ArtScroll is getting unprecedented positive feedback on this groundbreaking work, which takes you to a whole new level of understanding Rashi. Bereishis Volumes 1 and 2 are available, with other volumes in preparation.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky: Living a Life of Halachah: In this full-color, coffee-table size book, Rav Chaim’s grandson, Rav Avraham Yeshaya Shteinman, brings us the halachic sources and background of Rav Chaim’s practices and actions. Hundreds of beautiful photos, some of them rare, give us a warm and powerful glimpse of his greatness and humility.

Pele Yoetz Vol.1: This timeless classic, an encyclopedia of Jewish ethics, prayer, behavior, guidance, and thought, now translated and elucidated, belongs on every bookshelf.

B’Ahavah, Benny: This absorbing biography by Yisroel Besser of the legendary Benny Fishoff shows us how to live with gratitude, humility, and kindness — just like Benny did!

Marblespoon at Home by Vera Newman: It’s just been published and already more than 12,000 smart cooks (and the number keeps growing) are discovering the Marblespoon secret to creating low effort, high reward recipes.

The Strasbourg Saga: There’s action, excitement, and inspiration in this beloved series of historical fiction. Now available in separate paperback volumes, or all in one incredible (what a gift!) slipcased, 12-volume set.

The Prophets and the Teachings of the Talmud — Sefer Shmuel: Enrich your understanding of Sefer Shmuel as you view it through the eyes of the Tannaim and Amoraim.

Understanding Your Tefillah: Rav Schwab on Prayer has inspired thousands to enhance their davening. Now, his masterpiece has been adapted into a practical and effective learning tool to improve everyone’s tefillos.

And for the kids:

The Starlight Sisters: Volume 1 — Second Fiddle: Author Libby Lazewnik does it again, with the first in a fabulous new series for pre-teens and teens.

Let’s be Honest: Teach our children, ages 4 – 8, all about honesty in an effective — and fun! — way, with delightful pictures and relatable stories.