By Bree Bender
I’ve heard it said that writers don’t choose writing. It chooses us. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a writer. So, in a sense, I believe that statement is true. It’s just something I was born with, something that is so deeply a part of me, I don’t know where it ends and I begin.
Today, I am so excited to welcome Bree Rae to the Cynsations Team! Bree joins us as a reporter-at-large covering the many facets of the children’s-YA community.
Welcome to Cynsations! Could you tell us about your vision for your coverage here at the blog? Why did you decide to take on this role in the conversation of books?
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Night Market Rescue by Charlotte Cheng, illustrated by Amber Ren (Rocky Pond Books, 2023).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Q&A With Zion Clark and James Hirsch by Georgie Fehringer from Publishers Weekly.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: You So Black by Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D., illustrated by London Ladd (Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,
HARVEST HOUSE by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, April 11, 2023). Ages 12-up. Also published by Thorndike Press (large-print edition).
NSK Neustadt Laureate and New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith delivers a thrilling cross-genre follow-up to the acclaimed HEARTS UNBROKEN.
Deftly leading readers to the literary crossroads of contemporary realism and haunting mystery, Cynthia Leitich Smith revisits the world of her American Indian Youth Literature Award winner HEARTS UNBROKEN.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son by John Parra (Simon &
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Uncle John’s City Garden by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Holiday House,
By Bree Bender
Award-winning author Martha Brockenbrough has written more than a dozen books for children and teens. Her work covers a wide range of topics from biographies to masterful fairytale retellings, nonfiction to fiction. Her work is insightful, thought-provoking, and industry changing. I had the incredible opportunity to chat with her about books,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: You Are the Loveliest by Hans and Monique Hagen, illustrated by Marit Tornqvist,
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Stephani Eaton, Suma Subramaniam, Bree Bender, AJ Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Kicks by Van G. Garrett, illustrated by Reggie Brown (Versify,