Ruth First Never Backed Down
A much needed story of strength and moral clarity
Editor’s note: Ruth First Never Backed Down is a powerful picture book that doesn’t shy away from harsh realities. Joseph gives an accessible explanation of apartheid and the history of race relations in South Africa. This is an excellent introduction to activism and the high price that people have paid for freedom. Ruth First’s story will educate and inspire at a time when we all need Jewish heroes more than ever.
Ruth First Never Backed Down, by Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Gabhor Utomo, Kar-Ben Publishing (November 7, 2023)
Excerpt from Ruth First Never Backed Down was published with permission from the author.
Author’s note: Ruth First was a fascinating freedom fighter to write about. She dedicated her entire life to fighting for equality. She was a gifted journalist that never took no for an answer. She was also a mom to three daughters and apparently was quite the fashionista, always well dressed. She was taken way too soon and I decided to write this book so more people would learn about her legacy.
Bio: Danielle Joseph is the author of the new release, THE MITZVAH FAIRY, I WANT TO RIDE THE TAP TAP, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book and CBC Notable Social Studies Book and the picture biography book biography, RUTH FIRST NEVER BACKED DOWN. She is also the author of the middle-grade novel, PJ Library Selection, SYDNEY A. FRANKEL’S SUMMER MIX-UP and three young adult novels SHRINKING VIOLET, INDIGO BLUES and PURE RED. SHRINKING VIOLET was adapted into the Disney Channel movie, RADIO REBEL. Danielle has a BFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Marketing Communications and Advertising, both from Emerson College. She's a former middle school creative writing teacher and has been teaching writing workshops for over fifteen years. Danielle was born in Cape Town, South Africa and currently lives in Maryland with her family.
Also, have a look at Danielle Joseph’s most recent book, The Mitzvah Fairy.
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Five Tiny delights:
The Sesame Street Instagram account makes me smile (I’ve wanted to be a guest on the show since I was a teen).
Refrigerator magnets, a combination of family photos, and funny sayings.
Rain hitting the roof while I’m falling asleep.
The sound of the ocean always brings me peace.
Reading a book in a comfy chair by a big window with the sun shining through.
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Five Tiny Jewish Delights
Ordering extra Kosher pickles at a Jewish deli. I say extra, because I really love pickles.
The new menorah I just bought in South Africa. It’s a handmade beaded hippo.
I still get excited when I hear Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah song. Since most Jewish music is not main stream, I feel like this is a song a lot of people recognize.
The smell of matzoh ball soup, makes me feel connected to family past and present.
The Hamsa, love the symbol and what it stands for.
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Thanks so much for writing this book, which reminds me so much of my mother's family, with its brave anti-apartheid fighters. I aspire to be more like them, and love that someone is teaching this history to young people now.