HERDA, D.J. 1948(?)-

PERSONAL: Born April 7, 1948 (one source says April 4, 1946), in Chicago, IL; son of Joseph Richard and Lorraine (Sluga) Herda; divorced; married second wife, L.A. Pifer, July 7, 1993; children: (first marriage) David. Education: Columbia University, B.A., 1970.

ADDRESSES: Home—St. George, UT. Agent—Swetky Agency and Associates, 2150 Balboa Way, No. 29, St. George, UT 84773.

CAREER: Freelance editor, writer, journalist, sculptor, painter, and photographer, 1964–; Fox College, Evergreen Park, IL, teacher, dean of English, 1969–70; lecturer and teacher of writing, beginning 1969. Writer and director of Skiing Today (a television series) and two consumer videotapes on photography. Artworks have been exhibited at the United States Capitol, Washington, DC, and Rockefeller Center, New York, NY, and in galleries throughout the United States.

MEMBER: Earth Design Team (Challenger Center for Space Education).

AWARDS, HONORS: Book of the Year, social studies, Society of School Librarians International, 1992, for the series Ethnic America; Book of the Year, Rocky Mountain Features International, 1992.

WRITINGS:

Free Spirit, Evonne Goolagong, photographs by Bruce Curtis, Melchior Di Giacomo, and Jo Anne Kalish, Raintree (Milwaukee, WI), 1976.

(And illustrator) Making a Native Plant Terrarium, Messner (New York, NY), 1977.

(And photographer) Photography: Close-up, illustrated by Don Robison, Raintree (Milwaukee, WI), 1977.

(And photographer) Photography: Picture Perfect, illustrated by Jack Reilly, Raintree (Milwaukee, WI), 1977.

(And photographer) Photography: Take a Look, illustrated by Shelley Dieerichs, Raintree (Milwaukee, WI), 1977.

(And photographer) Photography: Through the Lens, illustrated by Andrea Eberbach, Raintree (Milwaukee, WI), 1977.

Growing Trees Indoors, Nelson-Hall (Chicago, IL), 1979.

Roller Skating, illustrated by Vantage Art, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1979.

Vegetables in a Pot, illustrated by Kathy Fritz McBride, Messner (New York, NY), 1979.

(With Judy Bock Herda) Carpentry for Kids, illustrated by William Jaber, Messner (New York, NY), 1980.

(And photographer) Dirt Bike Racing, Messner (New York, NY), 1982.

Model Boats and Ships, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1982.

Model Cars and Trucks, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1982.

Model Railroads, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1982.

Christmas, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1983.

Halloween, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1983.

Microcomputers, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

Computer Maintenance, illustrated by Anne Canevari Green, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Computer Peripherals, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Research Satellites, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

Communication Satellites, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1988.

Cancer, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1989.

The Afghan Rebels: The War in Afghanistan, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

(With Margaret L. Madden) Land Use and Abuse, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

Operation Rescue: Satellite Maintenance and Repair, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

(With Margaret L. Madden) Energy Resources: Toward a Renewable Future, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1991.

The Dred Scott Case: Slavery and Citizenship, Enslow (Hillside, NJ), 1994.

Roe v. Wade: The Abortion Question, Enslow (Hillside, NJ), 1994.

Furman v. Georgia: The Death Penalty Case, Enslow (Hillside, NJ), 1994.

New York Times v. United States: National Security and Censorship, Enslow (Hillside, NJ), 1994.

Outlaws of the American West, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1995.

Earl Warren: Chief Justice for Social Change, Enslow Publishers (Springfield, NJ), 1995.

Sandra Day O'Connor: Independent Thinker, Enslow Publishers (Springfield, NJ), 1995.

Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Champion, Enslow Publishers (Springfield, NJ), 1995.

United States vs. Nixon: Watergate and the President, Enslow Publishers (Springfield, NJ), 1996.

"THE AMERICAN SCENE" SERIES

Ethnic America: The North Central States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Ethnic America: The Northeastern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Ethnic America: The Northwestern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Ethnic America: The South Central States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Ethnic America: The Southeastern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Ethnic America: The Southwestern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Environmental America: The Northeastern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Environmental America: The Southeastern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Environmental America: The North Central States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Environmental America: The Southwestern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Environmental America: The South Central States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Environmental America: The Northwestern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1991.

Historical America: The North Central States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1993.

Historical America: The Northeastern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1993.

Historical America: The Northwestern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1993.

Historical America: The Southeastern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1993.

Historical America: The Southwestern States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1993.

Historical America: The South Central States, Millbrook (Brookfield, CT), 1993.

OTHER

Also author of novels Dial M for Carlotta and Carlotta's Return, Pink Flamingo Press, The Winds of Kabul, Playboy Press, Rings of Fire, and The Death and Life of Hymie Stiehl. Also author of play, The Trouble with Pirates, 1970. Author of nationally syndicated columns, including "In Focus," "Photographically Speaking," "Skiing Today," and "Out and About." Ghostwriter of works with Ronnie Schell, Lawrence Welk, Art Linkletter, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Editor-in-chief of travel content for several Web sites, including Traveler's Cove, Galleria Eros Writer's Lounge, and Galleria Eros Artist's Lounge. Scriptwriter for educational and consumer cable television and in-flight airline entertainment programs. Contributor of numerous articles and short stories to various newspapers and periodicals, including Parade, True, Ski, Computers and Electronics, and Consumer Guide. Former editor for magazines, including Photo Marketing, Elks, Ski, and Chicago, among others.

SIDELIGHTS: D.J. Herda has demonstrated his skill in many artistic disciplines, including writing, photography, and sculpture. He has written prolifically for children, producing nonfiction books that have won praise for the clarity and conciseness with which the author explains science, history, and various other subjects to children. He has even written entire series for children; his first, "Photography," includes Close-up, Picture Perfect, Take a Look, and Through the Lens. These books present the basics of camera mechanics and techniques for elementary-age children.

In Making a Native Plant Terrarium, the author gives detailed instructions on how to construct a terrarium using materials available in and around many homes. Booklist contributor Barbara Elleman praised the "logical, easy-to-comprehend fashion" with which the author presents his information. Similarly, a Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books reviewer dubbed Herda's introductory gardening book, Vegetables in a Pot, "clear and explicit." An Appraisal critic concluded that with a little help from a parent or teacher, "beginning gardeners of middle and upper elementary-school age should be able to use this book enjoyably and successfully."

Herda's books on technology include several on computers, medicine, and space. Computer Maintenance, for example, details the measures that owners of computers can and should take in order to prevent problems. Judy Greenfield, writing in the School Library Journal, called it "a well-organized, clearly-written, exhaustive … look at computer maintenance." Similarly, in Cancer the author discusses the nature of the disease, some known causes and preventative measures, treatments, and what to do when someone is diagnosed with the disease. Kim Carter Sands dubbed Herda's effort in the Voice of Youth Advocates "a very readable, very accessible explanation." And Operation Rescue: Satellite Maintenance and Repair describes the technological breakthroughs that in the future will allow NASA to send repair ships to fix failed or stranded equipment in space, such as the repair of the Hubble Telescope by crew members of the space shuttle.

Herda has also written a number of books explaining environmental concerns to young people. Land Use and Abuse, coauthored by Margaret L. Madden, focuses on the history of land use in the United States with an emphasis on how technology and cost-benefit analysis have accelerated the destruction of land throughout the country. While acknowledging some flaws in the writing, Voice of Youth Advocates reviewer Penny Blubaugh noted that "the information is clear and concise." In Herda's series Environmental America, he breaks down the United States into regions and discusses the effects of various agricultural and industrial practices on land, air, and water quality, concluding with a section directing readers to agencies and organizations they can contact in order to participate in environmental activism. Reviewers noted that the gloomy portrait of environmental disaster Herda portrays is effectively offset by the "What We Can Do" section included in each book. Booklist's Carolyn Phelan dubbed Environmental America a "timely, useful series," while Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Dorothy Furches remarked that students who use this "dynamic" series will be "well rewarded."

Herda is also the author of Ethnic America, a series of books that provides historical surveys of ethnic groups in America. Divided into regions, the books feature maps and many illustrations, and the text chronologically surveys the arrival, progress, and various problems of each group studied. While some critics found the material overly abbreviated, making it confusing at times, Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Nancy Benner remarked that "all volumes bring to light points of view on ethnic issues that desperately need to be considered," and praised Herda's writing as "clear and concise in all volumes."

Herda has written about three Supreme Court justices: Earl Warren, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Thurgood Marshall. Each of these justices made unique contributions to society during the course of their careers. In Earl Warren: Chief Justice for Social Change, Herda gives an overview of Warren's political career, his role in the Warren Commission that investigated the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jr., and his leadership of the Supreme Court at a time of great political and social upheaval. One pivotal case during that time was Brown v. Board of Education, a key case in school desegregation. Brown was represented by Thurgood Marshall, an African-American lawyer who went on to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Herda told Marshall's story in Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Champion. Reviewing the titles for Booklist, Carolyn Phelan stated, "Clear writing and straightforward organization make this series a solid choice for reading and research."

After writing so many titles for young readers, Herda adjusted his focus to concentrate on his sculptures and on writing fiction for adults. His "Hymie Stiehl" stories feature an elderly Jewish newspaperman and his much younger, gentile sidekick, Columbia graduate D.J. Taliman. In his "Carlotta" books, the author presents a cast of characters who are driven by their interest in bondage and domination. In Bound for Carlotta, dark dramas unfold under the seemingly placid surface of Madison, Wisconsin, as Dean becomes involved with a dominatrix who draws him into other dangerous activities as well. The decidedly adult themes in these books also inspired Herda to create a series of posters advertising the series.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Appraisal, winter, 1980, p. 23.

Booklist, March 1, 1978, p. 1107; December 15, 1989, p. 831; February 1, 1991, p. 1121; July, 1991, p. 2044; August, 1991, pp. 2142-2143; January 15, 1992, p. 935; March 15, 1996, Carolyn Phelan, reviews of Earl Warren: Chief Justice for Social Change, and Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Champion, p. 1250.

Book Report, September-October, 1995, Edna M. Boardman, reviews of New York Times v. United States: National Security and Censorship and Furman v, Georgia: The Death Penalty Case, p. 59.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October, 1979, p. 28.

School Library Journal, February, 1978, p. 48; May, 1985, p. 101; February, 1990, p. 114; January, 1991, pp. 117-118; February, 1991, pp. 88-89; July, 1991, pp. 80-81; February, 1992, p. 100; July, 1994, p. 124; January, 1995, Ann M. Burlingame, review of New York Times v. United States, p. 140; April, 1995, George Gleason, review of Outlaws of the American West, p. 143; March, 1996, Linda Gray, reviews of Earl Warren and Sandra Day O'Connor: Independent Thinker, p. 209; July, 1996, Judith L. Miller, review of United States v. Nixon: Watergate and the President, p. 103.

Voice of Youth Advocates, June, 1990, p. 125; October, 1991, pp. 260-61, 242-43; June, 1992, p. 125; August, 1994, p. 168.

ONLINE

Galleria Eros Writer's Lounge, http://www.writerslounge.org/ (March 2, 2003).