Kathy Kacer

Kathy Kacer (born 6 September 1954) is a Canadian author of fiction and non-fiction for children about The Holocaust, and has written one adult fiction book (Restitution). She has won several awards and her books have been translated into a variety of languages (e.g. Die Kinder aus Theresienstadt , German translation of Clara's War and ちいさな命がくれた勇気 , Japanese translation of The Underground Reporters). As well as writing, she speaks to children about the Holocaust, and to educators about teaching sensitive issues to young children.

Early life Kacer was born in Toronto to Jewish parents, Gabriela (née Offenberg) and Arthur Kacer, who were both Holocaust survivors, her father having been in a concentration camp and her mother living in hiding.

Personal life Kacer is married to lawyer Ian Epstein. They have two children, Broadway talent Gabi Epstein and actor and singer Jake Epstein. Kacer has a master's degree in psychology and worked with troubled teenagers before becoming a full-time writer in 1998.

Awards and honours 2008 National Jewish Book Award for The Diary of Laura's Twin 2009 The Louis L. Lockshin and Brenda Freedman Award, the Youth award of the Canadian Jewish Book Awards, for The Diary of Laura's Twin 2009 Yad Vashem Award for Children's Holocaust Literature for Hiding Edith Finalist in the Norma Fleck Award in 2005 (The Underground Reporters), 2006 (Hiding Edith) and 2010 (Whispers from the Ghetto) And several provincial awards and shortlistings for other awards

Works Children's fiction The Secret of Gabi's Dresser (1999, Second Story Press, ), pre-teen fiction Night Spies (2003, Second Story Press, ), "pre-teen non-fiction" Hiding Edith (2006, Second Story Press, ), pre-teen nonfiction Whispers trilogy, co-written with Sharon McKay Collections of personal stories from the time of the Holocaust Whispers from the Ghettos (2009, Puffin Canada, ) Whispers from the Camps (2009, Puffin Canada, ) Whispers in Hiding (2010, Puffin Canada, ) We Are Their Voice: Young people respond to the Holocaust (2011, Second Story) Shanghai Escape (2014, Second Story) The Magician of Auschwitz (2014, Second Story)

Adult fiction Restitution: A family's fight for their heritage lost in the Holocaust