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Dina grew up in New York City, a place she holds close to her heart and loves to write about. When she was 23, she moved with her husband, Shel Horowitz, to western Massachusetts because it was "a compromise between Brooklyn and the Ozarks." She now lives in Hadley, Massachusetts with her husband, two children, dog, and cat, next door to a farm with more than 300 cows. Dina has led writing workshops for children and young adults for over 15 years in numerous colleges, schools, and private venues. She currently teaches in the business communication program at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. In addition to her two novels for young readers, she has published numerous poems and short stories in literary journals, and was twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her first book, Escaping Into the Night, was recognized as an Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Older Readers, a CBC/NCSS trade book, a VOYA top shelf fiction pick and received a nomination as an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. While writing is one of the central things in Dina's life, equally important to her is working for a better world. Over the past twenty years Dina has been involved in anti-poverty work, Middle East peace issues, anti-war campaigns, and land protection issues. She holds a Master's Degree in social work and has worked in homeless shelters, as well as energy advocacy, legal services, and elder services programs. Like Gus and Liza's home life in Dina's second book, Playing Dad's Song, Dina's family life also revolves extensively around music. Her daughter, Alana (19), is a classical pianist with an affinity for romantic and impressionistic music, and her son, Rafael (14), plays violin and oboe, with eclectic tastes that range from Dvorak to Santana. Dina plays piano and guitar and is trying to teach herself to play the harp. In college she was one of a select group of chimesmasters who climbed 161 steps to the bell tower several times a week to serenade the campus. Dina also enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, arts events, and adventures of all types. She is an avid reader as well as a self-confessed addict to books-on tape. |
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Escaping Into the Night Thirteen-year-old Halina Rudowski is on the run. When the Polish ghetto where she lives is liquidated, she narrowly escapes, but her mother is not as lucky. Along with her friend, Batya, Halina makes her way to a secret encampment in the woods where Jews survive by living underground. As the group struggles for food, handles infighting, and attempts to protect themselves from the advancing German army, Halina must face the reality of life without her mother. Based on historical events, this gripping tale sheds light on a little-known aspect of the holocaust, the underground forest encampments that saved several thousand Jews from the Nazis. Awards |
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Playing Dad's Song What I wanted to compose wasn't music. Gus Moskowitz knows exactly what he'd change. He'd be as smart as his sister and a champion athlete. He'd have a dog who followed him everywhere and a best friend to replace the one hwo moved away. He'd live on a farm, not in Brooklyn, New York, or anywhere near tall buildings. And his dad would still be around, singing songs from The Phantom of the Opera at the top of his lungs—because if Gus got to compose his life, September 11, 2001 never would have happened and his father would still be alive. In turns playful and poignant, Playing Dad's Song personalizes the 9/11 tragedy by focusing on one child's struggle, and the particular path he forges, with help from his music teacher, toward acceptance and remembrance. Discussion questions available. Awards |
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