Esty Schachter is a writer, clinical social worker, book reviewer and former assistant librarian. (Why be just one thing?) She lives in Boston, MA.
photo by Samantha Liddick
Esty has published three novels for middle-grade and young adult readers: Pickled Watermelon, Anya's Echoes and Waiting for a Sign.
In Pickled Watermelon, eleven-year-old Molly travels to Israel to meet her grandparents for the very first time. Not only is everything around her new and unfamiliar, but her grandparents don't speak any English! How can people communicate when they don't share the same language? Molly needs to figure that out, and quick. Molly discovers her own unique kind of bravery as she tries new things, makes connections and becomes more self-confident. This book is a work of fiction, but it served as a way for Esty to preserve memories of her maternal grandparents, who lived in Naharya, Israel when she was growing up.
Anya's Echoes was based on her aunt's experiences during World War II, combined with a present-day bullying story. Esty listened to tapes recorded by Rosie Schachter and a friend to create the character of Anya and share Rosie's memories in her own words. Originally published in 2004, Esty rewrote the book in first person in 2024.
Waiting for a Sign explores sibling bonds, friendship and grief, while also providing a window into Deaf culture. After her first job at the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf in Boston, Esty became a counselor. She has worked extensively with Deaf children in various school and clinical settings.
In Pickled Watermelon, eleven-year-old Molly travels to Israel to meet her grandparents for the very first time. Not only is everything around her new and unfamiliar, but her grandparents don't speak any English! How can people communicate when they don't share the same language? Molly needs to figure that out, and quick. Molly discovers her own unique kind of bravery as she tries new things, makes connections and becomes more self-confident. This book is a work of fiction, but it served as a way for Esty to preserve memories of her maternal grandparents, who lived in Naharya, Israel when she was growing up.
Anya's Echoes was based on her aunt's experiences during World War II, combined with a present-day bullying story. Esty listened to tapes recorded by Rosie Schachter and a friend to create the character of Anya and share Rosie's memories in her own words. Originally published in 2004, Esty rewrote the book in first person in 2024.
Waiting for a Sign explores sibling bonds, friendship and grief, while also providing a window into Deaf culture. After her first job at the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf in Boston, Esty became a counselor. She has worked extensively with Deaf children in various school and clinical settings.
Short Bio: Esty Schachter’s books for middle-grade readers include Anya’s Echoes, Waiting for a Sign, and Pickled Watermelon (Kar-Ben/Lerner). She is also a clinical social worker and children's book reviewer for Ithaca Child. Esty’s poems and essays have appeared in Mothering, Margie, the Ithaca Journal, Sing, Heavenly Muse and other journals. She and her family divide their time between Ithaca, New York and Boston, MA. And yes, Esty is her full name!
Videos
Esty talking about Pickled Watermelon for PJ Our Way! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcK8RdcJ94s
Kids Interview Esty! (PJ Our Way 2023)
Esty talking about Pickled Watermelon for PJ Our Way! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcK8RdcJ94s
Kids Interview Esty! (PJ Our Way 2023)
School Visits
Esty enjoys visiting schools and other settings to talk about her books. To inquire about an author visit, please use the contact form.
Esty enjoys visiting schools and other settings to talk about her books. To inquire about an author visit, please use the contact form.
Esty sharing a photo of her grandparents while talking to children at Temple Beth El, Ithaca, about Pickled Watermelon. (2018)
About the visit: PJ Our Way Author Visits Ithaca |
New York State School for the Deaf, April 2, 2018 "4th - 12th grade students and staff spent part of March reading “Waiting for a Sign” by Esty Schachter to celebrate One Book One School. We were thrilled to have our culminating activity to have author, Esty Schachter visit our school and answer questions for us!!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to come to our school!!!" |
Esty with religious school students at Tikkun V'Or, Ithaca in November, 2019.
Esty at Stark Elementary School, Stamford CT
speaking about Anya's Echoes
2012
speaking about Anya's Echoes
2012