Master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen was born on April 2, 1805–two hundred years ago today–in Odense, Denmark.
Books to look for include:
The Perfect Wizard: Hans Christian Anderen by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Dennis Nolan (Dutton, 2005)(Jane herself has been oft called “America’s Hans Christian Andersen”);
Hans Christian Andersen: A Celebration by Newbery Medal Winner Karen Hesse (Scholastic,
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles (Harcourt, 2005). Comfort Snowberger, age 10, and her family “live to serve.” As owners of a small-town funeral home, they honor the dead and support those left behind. Comfort has grown-up sensitive but matter-of-fact about death, even when it strikes those she loves most. Her cousin Peach, on the other hand,
Continue Reading Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles »
In the past few days, more than one friend has asked me whether I’d consider writing a YA novel set on a reservation, possibly linked to the recent real-life shooting tragedy. It’s an interesting question, but the truth is that I wouldn’t be the best person to do such a book.
I’m personally familiar with the urban and tribal-town structures,
Let the angels and monsters rejoice as I sent my YA novel revision via Fedex to my Candlewick editor yesterday. I dropped it off at the box at BookPeople, which is Austin’s super indie.
I figure all that good-book vibe wears off on the package. While I was there, I ran into bookseller/buyer Jill,
“If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything” invites schools serving indigenous children from all parts of the world to participate in the International Indigenous Youth Reading Celebration during the week of April 18-22, 2005. Schools from Zambia, Aotearoa-New Zealand, Canada, and the United States are already signed up. See A Gathering Of Readers for more information.
Last Dance On Holladay Street by Elisa Carbone (Knopf, 2005). It’s 1878, and young Eva, 13, has lost Daddy Walter to tetanus and Mama Kate to consumption. All she has left is a name and address that lead her to Holladay Street, a half sister, and a biological mother from a house of ill repute. Desperate and indebted,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Elisa Carbone on Last Dance On Holladay Street »
Greg and I will celebrate Easter. We have eggs, we have dye, we have shrimp for an appetizer, turkey breast with green bean casserole and whole wheat stuffing for the main course, strawberries for the grand finale. We even have company coming for dinner.
But we’ll also work. We have another forty some pages of my YA manuscript to read aloud so I can key in changes and send it back to my editor.
My latest published article is “Tell Tales For a Living: Children’s Book Author” by Cynthia Leitich Smith from the April/May 2005 issue of Career World magazine 33:6. See pg. 26.
It’s part of a series of articles called a “Career Map” that ask: “Where do I go with creative writing?” Interviews with a newspaper columnist and advertising copywriter also are featured.
A college student wrote yesterday asking for my thoughts on teaching children to question and, when appropriate, dismiss stereotypes.
This was my reply: To me, the most powerful means of change is by example. Inviting both a Native storyteller to visit the class but also a Native attorney or engineer. Showing powwow video but also images of everyday life.
The trick is to make time–not to steal it–and produce fiction.
–Bernard Malamud*
I have friends who will write a book when they have the time.
Meet folks at parties, the hair salon, and the grocery store. They’re on the same someday schedule.
Would-be writers everywhere. They’ll get around to it. Eventually, they say.