One of seven children, Sulamith IshKishor was born in 1896, in London, England, to Ephraim and Fanny Ish-Kishor. She attended school in London until she moved to New York in 1909 at age thirteen. Educated in London and then in New York, she later graduated from Hunter College in New York City with a specialization in history and language. She achieved considerable stature as an author during her lifetime and died on June 23, 1977, in New York City.

Ish-Kishor began her writing career at the age of five and had published some of her poems in British periodicals by the age of ten. Her literary efforts range from well-received fiction for children and young adults to carefully crafted nonfiction for children, young adults, and adults. In all her work, she exhibits a thorough knowledge of Judaism and Jewish history coupled with an ability to tell a story...