Berk began writing for newspapers and magazines, including
The Morning Call in
Allentown, Pennsylvania. He also published poetry in journals, including
Black Bear Review and
Thunder Sandwich. His first young adult novel,
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, was published in 2010. It was described by
School Library Journal as "[a] coming-of-age mash-up of satire, realistic fiction, mystery, and ill-fated teen romance." It has also received acclaim for starring a deaf protagonist and its skillful handling of related issues. His second young adult novel,
Guy Langman: Crime Scene Procrastinator, received positive reviews from
School Library Journal,
Booklist, and
Kirkus. In 2013, ''Strike Three, You're Dead
launched a series of baseball-themed mysteries for younger readers called Lenny and the Mikes.
Strike Three, You're Dead'' was an Edgar Award finalist and a selection for the
New York Public Library's 2013 "Books for Reading and Sharing". The second book in the series, ''Say It Ain't So,'' was published in 2014. He has worked in public libraries since 1998 and was appointed as executive director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library in 2014. He has served as a professor of English, writing, and young adult literature at several colleges and is an active member of the
Society for American Baseball Research. ==Bibliography==