Children's Book Author
The Saralee Siegel Chapter Book Series
Life at the Siegel House Restaurant is anything but ordinary—join Saralee and her family for adventures brimming with warmth, wonder, and a sprinkle of magic.
PJ Library Selection book
National Jewish Book Award Finalist
Tablet Magazine Best Jewish Children's Books of 2019
Behrman House/ Apples & Honey Press
Ages 7 - 10
ISBN 978-1681155494
Saralee Siegel (Book One)
Once Upon an Apple Cake
Saralee Siegel has a secret weapon. But it's not a normal secret weapon, like super strength or invisibility. She has a super-nose!
When Saralee helps Zadie, her grandpa, in their family's restaurant, she can sniff out ingredients like no one's business. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, it's time to slow down and wish each other a sweet new year. But not Saralee. This year her family needs her to make Zadie's famous apple cakes all by herself- even though she doesn't know the secret ingredient. Then a rival restaurant threatens to steal the recipe and all their customers. Saralee is going to need persistence, luck, and her super-nose if she's going to save the day!
This fast-paced, magical story is told in an illustrated chapter book format.
"A bit of magic and a happy ending make for a sweet New Year story. Delightful."
- Kirkus Reviews
PJ Library Selection book
Behrman House/ Apples & Honey Press
Ages 7 - 10
ISBN 1681155648
Saralee Siegel (Book Two)
Starlight Soup
Does starlight have a smell? If anyone can find out, Saralee can. No one in the world has a nose quite like hers. A super-nose.
Saralee is the master sniffer in her family’s restaurant, able to identify ingredients from a mile away. As Sukkot approaches and Zadie prepares to welcome their holiday guests, he has a mission for Saralee: sniff out a brand-new recipe that’s never been done before.
Gazing at the stars through the roof of her sukkah, Saralee has an inspiration. What if she could smell her way to the stars? What if the stars had a scent? A flavor? But when Saralee’s Starlight Soup is a taste-bud disaster, she’ll need an open mind, a little luck, and her super-nose to save the town!
"A touch of creative magic tempered by love and kindness. Welcome back, Saralee."
- Kirkus Reviews
PJ Library Selection book
Behrman House/ Apples & Honey Press
Ages 7 - 10
ISBN 1681155885
Saralee Siegel (Book Three)
A Donut in Time
Saralee can do extraordinary things with her super-nose. But when a smell cloud sends her back in time, she could lose everything.
Saralee is stunned to learn that she's not the only one in the family with a superpower. Her great-grandmother Gigi also had a magical sense of smell. And when Saralee makes Gigi's Hanukkah donut recipe, the scent creates a portal in time.
Soon Saralee finds herself face-to-face with a young Gigi-- and she's not the fierce, unstoppable person Saralee imaged. Gigi's ready to give up on her dreams. Saralee needs to help her find courage, or the future will be changed forever!
"A sweet story celebrating Jewish culture and sprinkled with a little bit of magic."
-School Library Journal
PJ Library Selection book
School Library Journal Best Book of 2023
Association of Jewish Libraries 'Holiday Highlights' 2023
Saralee Siegel (Book Four)
The Royal Recipe
With her super-nose, Saralee can sniff out any ingredient. But she can also sniff out trouble.
Saralee and Zadie make the perfect team at their family’s restaurant. This Purim, they want to host a banquet inspired by the Purim story, and Saralee is determined to bake something extra-special.
Using her super-nose, Saralee sniffs out ancient flavors for her Royal Hamantaschen recipe. But when a mysterious visitor creates trouble for Saralee’s family, Saralee realizes the recipe is more powerful than she bargained for. She’ll need courage, inspiration, and her super-nose to save the Purim party—and her relationship with Zadie!
"Baking, celebrating, storytelling: The high points of the Purim holiday are here in this amusing series addition."
- Kirkus Reviews
Behrman House/ Apples & Honey Press
Ages 7 - 10
ISBN 1681156075
Behrman House/ Apples & Honey Press
Ages 7 - 10
ISBN 1681156458
Saralee Siegel (Book Five)
The Secret of the Scent Map
Aunt Lotte has vanished, leaving behind a mysterious "smell map." Only Saralee and her super-nose can follow the clues!
The Siegel family is busy preparing for Passover, but Aunt Lotte isn’t helping! After a heated argument over ruined horseradish, Aunt Lotte vanishes, leaving only a strange map made of tiny perfume vials.
With her best friend Harold by her side, Saralee uses her extraordinary sense of smell to decode the map and track Aunt Lotte. Along the way, she uncovers a surprising truth about her aunt’s past—one that helps Saralee better understand her own unique gifts and where she truly belongs.