Judy A. Bernstein

Judith A. Bernstein is an American author who has worked extensively with refugees of the Sudanese civil war and co-authored two books recounting their personal experiences. They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys of Sudan, was written with Sudanese brothers Alephonsion Deng and Benson Deng, and their cousin Benjamin Ajak and published in 2005. A follow-up book, Disturbed in Their Nests: A Journey from Sudan's Dinkaland to San Diego's City Heights, was written with Alephonsion Deng and published in 2018.

Early life and career Bernstein [nee Helmuth] was born in San Diego and grew up in the city. She married Paul Bernstein, a medical school student, in 1972. After majoring in math at San Diego State University, she worked in the computer field for nearly 20 years. She then served as a graduate student advisor for the community economic development program at San Diego State University. After many years in refugee camps, they had made their way to the U.S. Bernstein agreed to mentor them and also help improve their English skills. Working together, the four wrote They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan, which was published in 2005. The Washington Post Top 100 Books of 2005 American Library Association "Many Voices" Honoree Los Angeles Times Bestseller July 2005. American Booksellers Association Book Sense Selection May 2005. National Conflict Resolution Center Peacemakers Award Book Sense Summer 2006 Paperback Selection American Library Association List - Becoming an American

San Diego Union Tribune Warwick's Top Seller September 2015 (10th Anniversary Edition)

Disturbed in Their Nests 2018 Nautilus Gold Award winner, in the category of Multicultural and Indigenous Books