Kafka, Tina 1950-

PERSONAL:

Born 1950; married.

ADDRESSES:

Home—San Diego, CA. Office—Explorer Elementary Charter School, 2230 Truxton Rd., San Diego, CA 92106. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Explorer Elementary Charter School, San Diego, CA, curriculum coordinator and science teacher.

AWARDS, HONORS:

San Diego Book Award, young adult nonfiction, 2004, for DNA on Trial.

WRITINGS:

DNA on Trial, Thomson Gale (Detroit, MI), 2005.

Gay Rights, Lucent Books (San Diego, CA), 2005.

Folk Art, Lucent Books (Detroit, MI), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Tina Kafka, a teacher and elementary school curriculum coordinator, writes nonfiction for children and young adults. In DNA on Trial, she explains how deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, evidence is used in the criminal justice system. Carol Fazioli, writing in School Library Journal, observed that the book should appeal to student researchers as well as more casual readers. Kafka includes many detailed examples of criminal investigations in which DNA evidence proved useful, including such famous cases as the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. She also notes that DNA testing has been used to exonerate those wrongfully convicted and discusses the need for rigorous training of forensic technicians. The book received the 2004 San Diego Book Award for young-adult nonfiction.

Gay Rights, according to Suzanne Corson in a review for Books to Look Out For, does "a fine job of clearly presenting the issues," including workplace rights, parenting, and gay marriage. Kafka explains the views of opponents as well as advocates, and offers thought-provoking study questions designed to encourage students to think critically about these issues. Booklist reviewer Hazel Rochman deemed the book an "excellent, well balanced" work. Also noting Kafka's balance and engaging writing style, School Library Journal contributor Sharon Senser called Gay Rights a "great book."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 2006, Hazel Rochman, review of Gay Rights, p. 52.

School Library Journal, March, 2005, Carol Fazioli, review of DNA on Trial, p. 231; January, 2007, Sharon Senser, review of Gay Rights, p. 150.

ONLINE

Books to Watch Out For,http://www.btwof.com/ (July 29, 2007) Suzanne Corson, review of Gay Rights.

Explorer Elementary Charter School Web site,http://www.explorerelementary.org/ (July 29, 2007).