Danielle's Books

PRE-ORDER NOW! The Mitzvah Fairy wakes up early to spread joy. He fluffs his wings. Then he grabs his crown and wand. First stop: Bubbe and Zayde's house. Bubbe has the sniffles so the Mitzvah Fairy swoops in with chicken soup. "This will make you feel better, Bubbe," he says. Next, he zooms over to his neighbor's garden where he waters the plants and fills the birdfeeder. At the end of a busy day, the Mitzvah Fairy has one more thing to do―give his dad a great big hug. An author's note matches up the mitzvahs in the story with Jewish values. Illustrations by the fabulous Christine Battuz.  Published by Kar-Ben/Lerner on February 4, 2025. 

Reviewed on 9 November 2024

"With a crown, wings, and a star wand, a young Jewish boy transforms into the Mitzvah Fairy. Though many readers will appreciate this quiet, matter-of-fact tale of a young everyday hero doing his best, it’ll have special resonance for those familiar with Judaism. A tale gently infused with kindness and compassion. "―Kirkus Reviews

This picture book biography is about Jewish South African freedom fighter Ruth First, illustrated by the incredibly talented Gabhor Utomo. It follows Ruth's journey from her early call to action to join the fight against Apartheid, to her work as a journalist and her quest to expose the truth. Published by Kar-Ben/Lerner. 

Reviewed on 24 October 2023

“A worthy introduction to a heroic journalist and activist.”―Booklist

Reviewed on 18 September 2023

“A warmly written account of a determined woman who is a role model for young readers. A name, a life, and a cause to be long remembered.”―Kirkus Reviews

“This is a powerful and important book about an ordinary Jewish woman taking extraordinary risks to speak out against apartheid. Her courage is an inspiration, one that is steeped in Jewish values. Highly recommend.”―Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

AWARD: Social Justice Literature Award Recommended Reading List, Commended, 2024

This picture book is about a young boy's wish to ride the tap tap, set in Haiti, published by FSG/Macmillan. 

Tap Tap Book Buzz:

Luminous, textured illustrations invite children to imagine themselves sliding around on the seat of the tap tap bus with Claude, looking out its heart-shaped windows, and bouncing down the street. The characters’ brown skin shines with dancing color, and the endpapers evoke the tropical urban landscape in all its warmth. Haitian Creole turns of phrase pepper the text, a glossary in the back supplementing contextual clues. Every young reader will resonate with Claude’s happy day. Bon bagay!

--KIRKUS REVIEWS

AWARDS: I Want to Ride the Tap Tap was named a 2021 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year and a 2021 NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (Children's Book Council).

Illustrator info: 

Olivier Ganthier was born in Pétion-ville, Haiti. He got his degree in fine arts from the National School of Arts (ENARTS) and is inspired by tropical urban life, Afro and Haitian culture. Olivier is art director at Les Ateliers Ganthier and lives in Petionville, Haiti.

(Recipient of the PJ Our Way Author Incentive Award)

This middle grade novel is about Sydney Frankel, soon to be a sixth-grader. She is looking forward to a summer of fun with her best friend, Maggie. She figures she deserves some time to herself to do what she wants before her mom delivers Sydney's new sibling in just four months. Too bad Sydney's mom has other plans for her.

Kirkus Reviews

"Big secrets, best friends, and pitch-perfect characters drive this funny, touching story....The book’s treatment of the complexities of tweendom are pitch perfect: the need for autonomy, the intensity of friendships, crushes, and the messy process of growing up. Main characters are White and Jewish.

A sweet, heartfelt story about friendship and family. --KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A book with heart, about finding the bravery to be your true self.”

—Jennifer Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of The Storm Runner trilogy

“Danielle Joseph has created wonderful characters showcasing humor, sensitivity, and independence, all while highlighting the importance of friendship. Readers who have enjoyed the humor of Ramona Quimby will fall in love with Sydney Frankel.”

—Christina Diaz Gonzalez, author of The Red Umbrella and Moving Target

“A warm and funny story that shows just how not alone we are, even when it feels otherwise.”

—Chris Tebbetts, author of Public School Superhero and coauthor of the Middle School series

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her  stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T to everyone's shock, she's a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest, and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize, Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare. . . .

"Bella, eat your heart out. Tere is the girl every young woman truly wants to be. . . . Brilliant work, Danielle Joseph."  -Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of Identical

"Danielle Joseph takes readers into the glamorous world of Top 40 radio, with a character who is both funny and relatable. Readers will cheer when Tere finds her voice!"     -Alex Flinn, author of Breathing Underwater and A Kiss in Time

"A funny, romantic, and truly inspirational Cinderella tale for any teen who's ever been shy, loved music, or dreamed of going to the ball. Wait, that's pretty much everybody."      -Gaby Triana, author of The Temptress Four

Indigo Blues is a young adult novel told in two points of view, in  which a songwriter's hit tune tells the world about his break-up with  his girlfriend, but the two have no concept how much their lives are  going to change.

Indigo Blues Book Buzz:
"strongly appealing, emphasizing honesty and kindness toward others"
—VOYA

"The tale of romance on the rocks unfolds realistically as teenage love clashes with overnight musical celebrity."
—THE ALAN REVIEW

    "Fans of John Green’s Paper Towns (Dutton, 2008) will likely enjoy this  quirky novel that shares similar elements of exploring why some  relationships just don’t have a happy ending."
 – School Library Journal  

   "Readers will likely be drawn into the scintillating premise and will  get a real sense of Adam and Indigo from their alternating narration..."
 -- Publishers Weekly 

Orange is for energy, pink means love, and I, Cassia Bernard, do  solemnly swear to find pure red—my passion—this summer. Dad's raison  d'être is art. When he's painting, no one can reach him, not even me.

I'm giving basketball a chance. But what I really want to score this  summer is the adoration of Graham Hadley—a.k.a. Cutebutt. Then when Dad  agrees to mentor Graham with his art project, all of Cutebutt's  attention is on Dad—leaving me feeling as colorless as the Miami sky on a  rainy day. But I'm not giving up just yet.