I was surprised to find two ratings so far in advance of the May 5 publication of "Annie's Ghosts." Thanks to Cheryl and Susan for their early reads, and their kind evaluation. These reviewers have inspired me to begin this blog, and provide a bit more information about how I came to write the book.

Here's one way I describe it:

Two sisters, born two years apart to Jewish immigrants, grow up impoverished in Depression-era Detroit. One-—my mother, Beth—-escapes her parents’ walk-up apartment by marrying and moving away from the neighborhood that she equates with broken promises and broken lives.

The other sister? She was my mom's secret.

Employing my skills as a journalist while maintaining my empathy as a son, I pieced together the story of my mother’s motivations, my aunt’s unknown life, and the times in which they lived. The search took me to imperial Russia, across the Atlantic in steerage, to the streets of Detroit, to the Holocaust in Ukraine, through the Philippine war zone, and back to the public mental hospitals where Annie and many others have been lost to memory.

The story took me two years to research and write. I'm grateful to the many people who helped me with my quest, and I'm pleased that I was able to find enough information to tell this remarkable story.

I'm be back here over the next few months to write new posts. In the meantime, the book is available for pre-order on various online sites, and should be in bookstores around May 1.