1 / 19The Next Page Dinner – an evening of fine dining, live entertainment, and intimate conversations with presenting Miami Book Fair authors at every table – honors South Florida literary icons and community leaders who shape Miami’s cultural story. This year we are privileged to recognize author Judy Blume and the late, beloved community champion Sandy Nusbaum and his family, who are carrying on his legacy of giving. Every dollar raised at this event supports the future of Miami Book Fair, helping to ensure it remains a vibrant cultural home for readers, writers, and dreamers of all ages.
Born in New Jersey, Judy Blume spent part of her childhood in Miami Beach – an experience that informed what she’s called her most autobiographical book, Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself. And after living in Key West for the past 30 years, South Florida can today claim this much-loved author as one of its own. An insightful, sensitive, and prolific storyteller, Blume’s books for young and young adult readers have helped define coming-of-age experiences for generations. A fierce ally in the fight against censorship and book banning, she’s worked tirelessly to make sure that children continue to have access to books that make them laugh, encourage them to think, and discover who they are and what their place is in the world.
Compassionate, kind, and committed to supporting community, New Jersey native Sandy Nusbaum came to Miami more than 50 years ago and began building a beautiful life with his wife, Ellen – and eventually, their daughter, Jill – and threw himself into actively engaging with and supporting his chosen hometown. Throughout his time here, he championed Museum of Miami (fka HistoryMiami Museum), Camillus House, UHealth and his much-loved University of Miami athletics, and Miami Book Fair, among other critical, community-building stakeholders. Driving his patronage of the Fair was a strongly held belief in the importance of liberalism, intellectualism, books, and reading – and of the role the Fair plays in Miami’s cultural landscape.
A Special Thank You to Our Event Sponsors
We also give our heartfelt thanks to this year’s Host Committee
Brittany Buhler · Asha Elias · Cari Fund · Jessica Jonap · Sandra Rodriguez · Karen Safarik · Anick Vorbe · Rochelle B. Weinstein · Mary Whitehead
And Miami Book Fair’s Leadership Council
Heidi Berghuis · Kimberly Green · Catherine Grieve · Jessica Jonap · Donna Kass
Alan Lafer & Susan Rose · Stacey Mindich · Lisa Palley · Rochelle B. Weinstein