Additional information
by Alyssa R. Petersel (Author)
"A journey through the lives of young Eastern European Jews that's not to be missed." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) How do we come to be who we are spiritually? How does our political and social environment influence our development of self? A young American author immerses herself in modern Jewish Hungary. The twenty-one stories she shares will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you want to be your own best self. Somehow I Am Different provides an opportunity to connect in a world that otherwise begs us to stand alone. This book serves as a reminder that in spite of the factors working against us, we have the power to make a difference. In their own words, Hungarian participants will tell you that "Instead of emphasizing our victimhood, we should really tell another story" (Tamás Büchler) and "Maybe I am not perfect, but I am me. At least I am me." (Devora Hurwitz).
Author Biography
ALYSSA PETERSEL graduated from Northwestern University in 2013 with dual BA degrees in psychology and international studies. Alyssa was awarded the Northwestern Public Interest Fellowship in 2013, through which she worked in research, community building, policy and advocacy at Strengthening Chicago's Youth (SCY), a violence prevention collaborative convened by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Alyssa raised $12,085 via Kickstarter crowdfunding to fuel her debut nonfiction anthology, Somehow I Am Different. Released in March, 2016, Somehow I Am Different won first place in the Biography/Autobiography section of the New York Book Festival, earned a starred Kirkus Review, has been featured as Kirkus' Indie Book of the Month for July 2016 and has been Named a Kirkus Reviews' Best Book of 2016. Alyssa now studies social work at New York University and nonfiction writing at the CUNY Graduate Center Writer's Institute, is a participating author in the 2016-2017 Jewish Book Council Network, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
