Daniel Cohen (children's writer) facts for kids

Daniel Edward Cohen (born March 12, 1936 – died May 6, 2018) was an American writer. He wrote over 100 non-fiction books, mostly for young people. His books covered many interesting topics. He also worked hard to find justice for his daughter. She was one of the many victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Edward Reba was born in Chicago. His parents divorced when he was young. Later, his mother married Milton Cohen. Daniel then took his stepfather's last name.

He went to public schools in Chicago. In the 1950s, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There, he worked on the student newspaper. He discovered he was good at journalism. He even became the editor in chief. Daniel graduated in 1958 with a degree in journalism.

After college, he worked as a proofreader. He also became an editor for Science Digest. In 1958, he married Susan Handler, who was also a writer. In 1969, Daniel and Susan moved to New York. There, he started his career as a freelance writer for children. They had one daughter named Theodora.

Writing Career

Daniel Cohen became well-known for his books. These books were about UFOs, ghosts, and mysterious events. He also wrote about psychic powers and the occult. Even though he said he was a skeptic, his books on these topics were fun and open-minded.

Exploring Mysterious Topics

Cohen wrote about many subjects that interested young readers. These included movies, television, and things from outer space. He also wrote about the supernatural. While many of his books dealt with mysteries, he often approached them with a bit of doubt.

He first tried writing science books. But publishers were not very interested in them. However, his books about UFOs and the supernatural became very popular. As he researched his books, Cohen became truly interested in the occult. He even visited haunted houses and attended séances. He spent a night in a graveyard once. But he always said he never actually saw a ghost.

Cohen was very interested in the UFO phenomenon. He wrote several books about it. Still, he admitted he was a skeptic. He believed that a lack of proof does not mean something is not true.

Books on Science and History

Cohen's science books were praised. They explained difficult ideas in a simple way. He was also a fan of history. He wrote books for young readers about ancient civilizations. These included Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Collaborations and Personal Stories

Daniel and his wife, Susan, worked together on books for teens. Susan's background in sociology helped them. They wrote books like Teenage Competition: A Survival Guide. They also wrote When Someone You Know is Gay. They understood their audience well. They paid attention to their daughter's interests.

Their most personal book was Pan Am 103: The Bombing, the Betrayals, and a Bereaved Family's Search for Justice. This book came out in 2000. It told the story of how their lives changed after a terrible event.

Controversial Books

Cohen also wrote Curses, Hexes and Spells (1974). This book caused some debate. It appeared on lists of "banned books." Some people thought it promoted magic. Curses, Hexes, and Spells is number 73 on a list of challenged books. Cohen believed parents could choose what their own child read. But he felt it was censorship when parents tried to stop all children from reading it.

Pan Am Flight 103 Tragedy

Daniel Cohen's daughter, Theodora, was 20 years old when she died. She was a passenger on Pan Am Flight 103. This plane exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. The explosion happened 38 minutes into the flight. It killed 243 passengers, 16 crew members, and 11 people on the ground. Theodora, their only child, was among them.

Susan Cohen, Daniel's wife, described that day as the worst of her life. She said she was never the same person afterward. The Cohens became strong advocates for justice. They wrote a book about their experience. It was called Pan Am 103: The Bombing, The Betrayals, and a Bereaved Family's Search for Justice.

They spoke out against those they felt were responsible. A documentary film was made about the bombing's aftermath. It was called Since: The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The film followed the Cohens and other families. It showed their lives after losing their children.

Personal Life

Daniel Cohen lived in Middle Township, New Jersey. He lived there with his wife, Susan.