Wolfson, Jill

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Wolfson, Jill

PERSONAL:

Children: Alex, Gwen. Education: Temple University, B.A. (magna cum laude).

ADDRESSES:

CAREER:

Newspaper reporter and freelance writer. San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, CA, staff reporter and editor for ten years. Also taught at University of California, Santa Cruz, and San Jose State University; staff member of The Beat Within; Hedgebrook writing residency; Western Society of Criminology fellow; Casey Foundation fellow.

AWARDS, HONORS:

National Press Club Award for consumer writing; Penney-Missouri national feature writing awards.

WRITINGS:

(With John Hubner) Somebody Else's Children: The Courts, the Kids, and the Struggle to Save America's Troubled Families, Crown (New York, NY), 1996.

What I Call Life (novel), Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2005.

Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies (novel), Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2006.

Editor of Bay Area Parent. Columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. Contributor of fiction to Jack and Jill Magazine and of essays to Salon.com. Writer of two blogs.

SIDELIGHTS:

Jill Wolfson is an American newspaper reporter and freelance writer. She wrote columns on health issues and book reviews for various publications and has done extensive writing and research on the juvenile justice system and foster care in California and the United States at large. As an author of nonfiction and novels, Wolfson's research in this area features prominently.

Wolfson published her first book, Somebody Else's Children: The Courts, the Kids, and the Struggle to Save America's Troubled Families, with fellow reporter John Hubner. The pair were given wide access to San Jose, California's juvenile and family courts to document the average workings of these courts. Children, families, judges, and case workers contribute their perspectives on the system and the interconnected problems within it. Wolfson and Hubner conclude that the government needs to increase its support of juvenile programs and that more Americans should volunteer to become foster parents. A contributor to Publishers Weekly called the account a "graphic report" of the juvenile justice system. The same contributor remarked that Wolfson and Hubner write "with admirable conviction and convincing urgency."

What I Call Life, Wolfson's debut novel, was published in 2005. The novel starts with Cal's mother having a psychotic episode, resulting in Cal's indefinite placement in state custody at what is commonly called the Pumpkin House. Cal meets other girls who have their own takes on their current situation and what the future has in store for them. Cal learns from the girls and the caretaker as she ponders her own uncertain familial situation. Booklist contributor Frances Bradburn described the novel as "a treasure of quiet good humor and skillful storytelling." Bradburn noted that the book "conveys subtle messages" on compassion, goodwill, and the value of family. Bradburn also praised Wolfson's characterizations, saying that "Wolfson paints her characters with delightful authenticity." Lauralyn Persson, writing in School Library Journal, called the novel "a thoughtful and ultimately hopeful book." Persson thought that some "readers will [not] take to it, but those who do will find it resonant and absorbing." A contributor to Kirkus Reviews thought that "the odd characters are interesting." The same critic concluded that "it's the smart and unique voice that makes this story shine."

Wolfson published her second novel, Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies, in 2006. Whitney has no faith in the concept of home and family. When she is sent to live with a foster family in a rural logging community, hit hard by environmental restrictions in the area, she learns a sense of purpose and gains a sense of pride in her stance. She also befriends other foster children in the community, easing her transition into normal family life. A contributor to the Midwest Book Review noted that the novel is "a fine story of a spunky personality" looking for her place in the world. In a Kliatt review, Myrna Marler described Whitney as "a brassy, sassy, likable, know-it-all kid." Marler also noted that the novel "contains interesting information about ecological issues, suggests workable compromises, and is packed with freshly drawn characters." Kelly Czarnecki also liked Whitney's character, describing her narratives as "lively and humorous" in a School Library Journal review. Czarnecki concluded that "the ending is a bit predictable, but the protagonist's spunky voice will engage readers." A contributor to Kirkus Reviews described Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies as "a sweet, spirited tale told with warmth and humor."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, November 1, 2005, Frances Bradburn, review of What I Call Life, p. 41.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September, 2005, Deborah Stevenson, review of What I Call Life, p. 57; November, 2006, Deborah Stevenson, review of Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies, p. 151.

Children's Legal Rights Journal, fall, 1997, Jeff Chan, review of Somebody Else's Children: The Courts, the Kids, and the Struggle to Save America's Troubled Families.

Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2005, review of What I Call Life, p. 925; September 15, 2006, review of Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies, p. 971.

Kliatt, November, 2006, Myrna Marler, review of Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies, p. 16.

Library Journal, November 15, 1996, Suzanne W. Wood, review of Somebody Else's Children, p. 77.

Library Media Connection, April 1, 2006, Esther Sinofsky, review of What I Call Life, p. 66.

Midwest Book Review, December, 2006, review of Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies.

Publishers Weekly, October 14, 1996, review of Somebody Else's Children, p. 68.

School Library Journal, September, 2005, Lauralyn Persson, review of What I Call Life, p. 216; December, 2006, Kelly Czarnecki, review of Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies, p. 158.

Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 2007, Linda W. Braun, review of Home, and Other Big, Fat Lies, p. 481.