From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two.

Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.

Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists. She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations. Lesléa Newman (born 1955, Brooklyn, NY) is the author of over 50 books including Heather Has Two Mommies, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Writing From The Heart, In Every Laugh a Tear, The Femme Mystique, Still Life with Buddy, Fat Chance and Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear. Hachiko Waits is a 2005 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. Readers will be touched by the story of Hachiko and his impact on the people of Japan. Hachiko Waits is a novel inspired by a true story. Not even Yasuo, the young boy who takes care of Hachi, can persuade him to leave his post. Hachi waits.įor ten years Hachi waits for his master to return. One day, the train arrives at the station without the professor. And every afternoon just before three o'clock, Hachi is at the train station to greet his beloved master.

Hachi, you are the best dog in all of Japan.' Professor Ueno speaks these words to his faithful dog before boarding the train to work every morning. The loyalty and devotion of a dog has no bounds I love it.' -Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Award-winning author of Sarah Plain and Tall Hachiko Waits shows us the very best in life loyalty, devotion, our ability to love-all taught by a beloved, intelligent, and heroic dog. 'Profoundly sad and hopeful at the same time.

Hachiko Waits by Lesléa Newman