Home - Pat Black-Gould

A Star of David Necklace or a Rosary?

In Poland, 1939, a young Jewish girl must reject one of these and accept the other without understanding why. Her mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice to keep her daughter safe. Originally an award-winning short story, The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey, will be available as a children's picture book in 2022.

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"Concerned parents often ask if children can handle the subject of the Holocaust.
The answer is, yes, if its story is told with subtlety and grace as true
in The Crystal Beads and where the tragedy is redeemed by love."

--Rabbi Mark W. Kiel
New York

Pat Black-Gould

Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D. is an author and a clinical/neuropsychologist. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals. She makes her debut as a children's picture book author with her story, The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey.

Initially written as a short story about a mother and daughter during the Holocaust, The Crystal Beads was first published in Jewish Fiction .net. The story later went on to win first place in the National League of American Pen Women Flannery O'Connor short story competition, and first place in a Pen Women Florida statewide competion.

The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey, is written as as children's book. However, it is also designed for readers of all ages. The book contains two study guides. One is a series of questions for children and their parents and teachers to discuss. The second study guide consists of questions for adults who may gather in places of worship, small groups, and book clubs to explore themes of compassion, empathy, and acceptance of diversity.

Member of:
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
The National League of American Pen Women
The Women's Fiction Writers Association
The West Florida Literary Federation
Portfolio and Exchange Society
Panhandle Writer's Group

Pat Black-Gould

Pat Black-Gould

Member of: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators The National League of American Pen Women The Women's Fiction Writers Association The West Florida Literary Federation Portfolio and Exchange Society Panhandle Writer's Group

Member of:
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
The National League of American Pen Women
The Women's Fiction Writers Association
The West Florida Literary Federation
Portfolio and Exchange Society
Panhandle Writer's Group