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| Cyn & intern Gayleen Rabakukk |
The Children’s Literature Community Responds to the 2016 Election by Travis Jonker from 100 Scope Notes at School Library Journal. Peek: “If you’re not up for a (mostly) Kumbaya sort of post (and I respect that), don’t read this post.” See also Children’s-YA Author Peni Griffin on The Morning After the Election.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Poetry by Sylvia Vardell from Poetry for Children. Peek: “‘Making Bread,’ describes a beautiful family and Pueblo tradition complete with Tewa words (and a helpful pronunciation guide).”
Guadalupe García McCall Receives Center’s Inagural Artist-in-Residence Fellowship from Arne Nixon Center. Peek: “McCall will spend one week on the Fresno State campus in spring 2017 working with students in English, education and additional courses. During McCall’s stay, she will offer instruction on writing, provide presentations to education students on how to use fiction in the classroom and she’ll visit two local high schools to talk about her work. An opening public reception will be hosted by the Arne Nixon Center Advocates and a culminating program will showcase the students’ achievements.”
A Picture Book is a Machine or This Machine Tells Stories by Susan Rich from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. Peek: “The ingredients of a picture book—the text, the art, the design, and production—all come to physical life in a published book, and then come to mechanical life in the reading.”
The Present Need for Historical Fiction by Anne Nesbet from Project Mayhem. Peek: “What I didn’t realize at the time was how the difference between “school history” and “Mom history” was itself playing out a meta-historical story. My mother–a history major and a schoolteacher, herself–had been swept up in the shift in historical studies from old-fashioned lists of the reigns of kings to a fascination with all the little details of ‘everyday life.'” See also An Example of Serious World Building in Historical Fiction by Gail Gauthier from Original Content.
Diversity Within Diversity: Intersections by Margarita Engle
from Uma Krishnaswami. Peek: “Even the Spanish language is not uniform,
with indigenous and West African words varying from region to region,
and in certain countries, a mixture of Chinese words as well. Chinese?
Yes, specifically Cantonese.”
Starts with Us: “We publish books and content that empowers youth to make a positive impact by pursuing their talents and interests.”
Interview: Donna Janell Bowman on The Amazing William ‘Doc’ and Jim Key from Lee & Low. Peek: “Incorporating the theme into the story was a matter of focusing on Doc’s actions, his relationship with Jim, how people responded, and how humane societies flourished, thanks to proceeds from Doc and Jim’s performances. Doc and Jim’s example truly caused a ripple effect.”
This Week at Cynsations
- Ann Angel on The Sandbox and the Suck Pond
- Katie Kennedy on Learning to Swear in America
- Mary Atkinson Asks “Am I A Radical?”
- Debbie Levy on I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark
More Personally
A shorter roundup than usual, I know. The kidlitosphere is deep in post-election stress disorder. But we are strong, and we will persevere. Our work is more important with each passing day and with every young reader born into the world.
Breathe. Center yourself. Continue the journey.
Publishing Prediction: Renewed surge in the YA Dystopian trend.
Meanwhile, busy times! Texas Book Festival was last weekend.
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| Photo by C.S. Jennings |
My montage of memories includes…
- Nikki Loftin‘s terrific reading (and the BBQ) at the Texas State Library and Archives on Thursday night,
- meeting A.S. King at the kick-off party at Antone’s on Friday,
- Janet Fox‘s sparkling insights on the “Supernatural Storytellers” panel I moderated on Saturday,
- signing copies of Jingle Dancer and Indian Shoes (both HarperCollins) as part of the diversity program at the Writers’ League of Texas Booth that same time,
- watching a young girl listen oh-so attentively to Kekla Magoon‘s thoughts on all the different ways that girls can be strong on “Let’s Hear it for the Underdogs” on Sunday,
- and relaxing that night with VCFA WCYA family at a get-together at Guerro’s.
I look forward to a wonderful weekend at McAllen (Texas) Book Festival! Come heart me talk about writing supernatural stories and the Feral trilogy (Candlewick)!
Reminder! Tweeps! Join me Thurs., from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. central Nov. 17 for
“Indigenous Voices in Middle Grade Novels,” a #mglitchat on Twitter,
featuring Lee Francis, Debbie Reese, Traci Sorell, and Tim Tingle.
Personal Links
Lots of good news. I'll mark my calendar for November 17.