Ep9: Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon, meet Award-winning historical young adult fiction author Christine Kessides shares the power of “Magda, Standing” and her new picture book, “A Tail Tale”

Welcome to Elaine’s Literary Salon: Today we meet the award winning author of historical young adult fiction, Christine Kessides, who wrote her debut novel set in the WWI era about German immigrants in Pittsburgh  — MAGDA, STANDING (published by Bold Story Press in June 2023). And now, under the name Christine Kessides, she has released her first children’s book, A TAIL TALE (published by Atmosphere Press on January 7, 2025).

On today’s episode of Elaine’s: Host Jeffery James Higgins asks Christine about her journey to become an author, why historical fiction is a passion of hers, and what inspired her to write a children’s book about tails. Don’t miss it!

About the author: “I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was always interested in the fact that on both my mother’s and father’s sides, all the ancestors that we could identify came from Germany (mainly the south and the border area next to France) in the 1850s-80s,” Christine explains. “That is a bit unusual in the US, where different ethnicities and nationalities often blend in one or two generations—as my own family has now done. After reviewing our genealogy a few years ago I was inspired to write Magda’s story, which is loosely based on elements of my ancestry, and key characters are modeled on certain older relatives. I believe that everyone has a tale to tell, and often the best way to start may be at the beginning—where we came from and who we came from.”

After college and grad school at Northwestern University and Princeton University, respectively, Christine says she was very fortunate to have had a career as a policy analyst at the World Bank, in Washington, DC. “My written output was economic policy reports in international development, not stories. Reading, especially historical fiction, has always been my passion, and I love sharing favorite books with friends. In addition to volunteering with nonprofit organizations that support women and families, I enjoy yoga and travel. I live in suburban Maryland with my husband, not far from our son, and try to see our three daughters and our grandchildren at opposite ends of the country as much as possible, as well as our multiple granddogs.”

About Magda, Standing: When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little brother, sixteen-year-old Magda is devastated—but the greater challenge is saving her family in the midst of a global war and pandemic. In 1916, the world is at war, even if America has not yet joined the effort. But for Magda, the growing hostility surrounding her German immigrant family in Pittsburgh hits close to home. Despite her domestic obligations, Magda persists with her education, determined to find an independent role for herself.  Faced with the mounting crises of the Great War and the Spanish flu, Magda seeks the knowledge and strength to protect those she loves most. Standing up to a war and pandemic, traditions and expectations, Magda embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience that leads her back to embracing her family and caring for a wider community. Buy the book!

About A Tail Tale: Wally is starting a new school—will he be able to make friends? When Wally’s classmates in his new school aren’t so nice, he decides that maybe he doesn’t want to fit in with them after all. One day after school, he meets the Tailor, a magical figure who creates tails for the animals. As Wally tries on different tails, he also meets the Snake (who is all tail and gets bullied too).  The Snake gives Wally a new perspective on friendship. Despite the reality of how hard it can be to make new friends in a new place, this whimsical, clever story shows us that everyone has something to offer—and that often, empathy is the best cure for unkindness. Buy the book!

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