Karen M. Greenwald is an award-winning author of two children's nonfiction picture books. A third book is due, September, 2025.
BOOKS
A VOTE FOR SUSANNA, THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, is the first/only book to shed light on the long-forgotten ceiling-breaking, bully-trouncing hero, and international icon, Susanna Salter. Named one of fifteen Kansas 2022 Notable Books, the Kansas State Center for the Book honored it as their Library of Congress Great Reads from Great Places selection. Kansas also chose Greenwald's book to represent the state at the 2022 Library of Congress National Book Festival. It is permanently featured on the Library of Congress Center for the Book’s website. A VOTE FOR SUSANNA appeared on the engineer/editor run website, WeHaveKids.com’s 2023 list of, “The 20 Best Children’s Narrative Nonfiction Books About Women” and on A Mighty Girl's 2021 Books of the Year list.
Review journals have also given A VOTE FOR SUSANNA high praise:
School Library Journal (SLJ 12.21.21 issue) said,“Ed wants to know if boys can bake cakes, too, or if baking is only for girls. His grandmother Dora tells him the story of Susanna Salter, a woman who defied the gender norms of her era and became the U.S.’s first female mayor when she was elected in Argonia, Kansas in 1887. The book ends with a surprising twist. Students will appreciate the straightforward language and engaging images. The colorful illustrations are appealing enough to intrigue curious readers. Historical details in the images support comprehension of the narrative and anchor students in an unfamiliar place and time. Teachers will appreciate the author’s message and theme. There is also a clear application with social studies and history standards. The book is based on solid historical research and the research method is discussed in the back matter; librarians even get a mention! The back matter also includes images of and more information about Salter. VERDICT An engaging work of narrative nonfiction that has clear applications in classrooms and school libraries. Recommended for elementary collections.”
Kirkus Reviews' verdict of the book? "Get it."
Professional reviews have also taken note and praised Greenwald's 2024 book, THE MUD ANGELS: HOW STUDENTS SAVED THE CITY OF FLORENCE (Albert Whitman).
The ALA's review, Booklist said, “...Greenwald’s vivid descriptions of the wreckage...volunteers’ dedication comes through clearly... Their effort was just part of a much larger one, but as the author notes in her more-detailed afterword, some of these “Mud Angels” came back 50 years later and were still treated like “rock stars.” A true episode worth commemorating.”
As with her previous book, it is based on extensive primary research. This includes lengthy interviews with sixteen Mud Angels, Florentine experts who continue to deal with the aftermath of the devastating 1966 Arno flood, and adults who lived through event in their youth. Tuscan news portal, INTOSCANA.IT, published a lengthy article about Greenwald's experience writing the book on the flood's November anniversary. Although in the midst of another treacherous flood, the reporter felt Greenwald's book's message would help the beleaguered Tuscan region. Other full articles including coverage in:
-L'Italo Americano (print and online).
-FRA NOI Magazine. (print and online)
-CEDAF. (portal)
-ITALIAN-AMERICAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION. (online)
-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION (AIC) newsletter-first article (40 countries).
-INCCA site.
- INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR CONSERVATION OF CONTEMPORARY ART (INCA) Blog.
-ICC NEWS IN CONSERVATION Magazine.
THE MUD ANGELS ' first book trailer was also shown at the Cenacolo of Santa Croce conference-“The '66 Flood in Florence and Written Memory."
The Youth Services Children’s Book Review (Massachusetts Library system) gave THE MUD ANGELS a "5" (their highest rating), calling it: "[a]n uplifting story about visiting students pitching in with local residents to clean up and clear out the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Florence after the flooding of the Arno River in 1966. Waves washed through the city, but even when the waters receded they left a hazardous mess of debris and mud throughout the area. Without needing to speak the same languages, the visiting students came together to help retrieve and dry out the books and save part of Florence’s history. Beautiful illustrations show the city, both in its splendor and in its filth, and its people as they cycle through joy to despair and finally, hope." They recommend it to schools and libraries, explaining it is a great book for, "Children ages 6-12, especially if they are in need of inspiration or uplifting stories."
PROFESSIONAL WORK
Professionally, Greenwald is a brand strategist. In 2025 she received her eighteenth and nineteenth international honors—earning the coveted BEST IN CATEGORY in Summit's international Marketing Effectiveness Award competition for her educational marketing of A VOTE FOR SUSANNA (in its third year). She also won a Silver Marketing Effectiveness Award for her educational marketing of THE MUD ANGELS . In 2023, she earned a Platinum Marketing Effectiveness Award for her education marketing of A VOTE FOR SUSANNA (launch year). Her other wins include international awards in: STEM creative, writing, video, rebranding, and self-promotion. Ms. Greenwald is also a non-practicing international environmental conservation attorney with extensive government experience.
LITERARY AFFILIATIONS
Greenwald is a member of the Children's Guild, 12x12, the Author's Guild, and cofounded #SunWriteFun, a popular online kidlit writing contest. Greenwald runs book drive initiatives seeveral times a year to send new books to under-resourced school and public libraries.
EDUCATION/HONORS
A Phi Beta Kappa, Magna cum laude, Alpha Sigma Nu graduate of Georgetown University, Greenwald holds a JD degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Currently, she runs an international award-winning strategic branding boutique. Previously, Ms. Greenwald worked as an attorney and focused on international environmental compliance issues.
