WELCOME
Welcome to TEN21 Press (1021 Press), a small, independent book publisher located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, USA. Our company was founded on October 21, 2011, to publish important, creative works, and authentic stories of high quality written by independent people of independent thought. TEN21 Press supports digital and new media as we continue our love for time-honored hardcover and paperback books.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Our debut book was Border Crossings: Coming of Age in the Czech Resistance. Written by Charles Novacek, the memoir is a firsthand account of survival amid the Nazi and Communist occupations of his Czechoslovakian homeland during World War II and the Cold War. It has been endorsed by Madeleine Albright and is a winner and/or finalist of 14 national and international book awards. On the list is a Gold Medal in the Memoir/Autobiography category of the Midwest Book Awards, a Bronze Medal in the World History category of the Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards, and Honorable Mention in the Memoir category of the Eric Hoffer Book Awards.
TEN21 Press has recently published the children's picture book, Charles's Bridge, inspired by Detroit author Sandra Novacek’s realization that her husband Charles's personal story had the potential to help other children learn how to use art to calm and soothe them in times of crisis. Here's how the story goes:
When armed soldiers arrive near their hometown in 1938, Charles's parents must move the family to another town in Czechoslovakia. Artistic Charles misses his old home--as well as the art supplies he had to leave behind. He knows there's no hope of replacing them, not with war looming. Then one day Charles spots a beautiful bridge, and inspiration strikes. He can make some art supplies! With paints made from clay, herbs, and vegetables, and brushes fashioned from branches and pussy willows, Charles paints the bridge.
Inspired by actual events, Charles's Bridge is a story of resilience and a young artist's fierce desire to create art and capture beauty during wartime. Beautifully illustrated, this book includes a reproduction of Charles's painting, and an Author's Note, PreS-Gr 3.
Charles's Bridge has been highly praised and has received many positive reviews. Midwest Book Review's reviewer Diane Donovan said, "Charles's Bridge holds a magical story with a powerful lesson for all ages, and is a much-needed positive perspective in dark times. As the color evolves both in Charles's life and in the artwork in the book, so hope equally rises in his readers."
Girija Kaimal, Associate Professor, PhD, Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University; Past President, American Art Therapy Association said, "Charles's Bridge is a beautiful and inspiring tribute to the power of imagination, human creativity and the power of art. The story shows us how even in times of greatest adversity, nature and natural materials can be a source of inspiration and sustain hope. A must-read for children and families especially in current times."
BUY THE BOOKS
To buy Border Crossings and Charles's Bridge in the Metro-Detroit area visit Source Booksellers, Book Beat and Urbanum online or in person. Elsewhere, ask your favorite bookstores to stock them or order the books online through IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop, Books-A-Million, Book Depository, The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library or other sources listed at the website charlesnovacekbooks.com. For special large quantity purchases for colleges, schools, nonprofits, etc., contact Sandra at novaceksandra@gmail.com or sn@charlesnovacekbooks.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please visit and follow the social media sites for Border Crossings and Charles's Bridge:
https://ten21press.com
http://www.charlesnovacekbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/charlessbridge
https://www.facebook.com/BorderCrossingsComingOfAgeInTheCzechResistance
https://www.instagram.com/charlessbridge
https://www.instagram.com/novacek1021
https://twitter.com/czechresistance
https://www.pinterest.com/sandrova/border-crossings-coming-of-age-in-the-czech-resist/
EDUCATOR'S and BOOK GROUP GUIDES
Take Border Crossings and Charles's Bridge into the classroom or book discussion groups with FREE Educator's and book group guides. Easy to download. Contain ready-made activities related to the actual story to help teachers integrate the book into language arts and even science curricula.
https://www.pinlitmarketing.com/home/border-crossings?rq=border
https://guidesbydeb.com/home/charless-bridge-debbie-gonzales
4142 CASS AVENUE, SUITE 201 | DETROIT, MI 48201 | novaceksandra@gmail.com