By: AJ Eversole
Today we address the topic of Thanksgiving from a Native perspective. The holiday—while still a time of family gathering for many Natives—is often misrepresented and used as an opportunity for teachers to create lessons that, more often than not, lead to false narratives about the Indigenous Peoples of North America. This problem is something that co-authors Danielle Hill Greendeer,
Today I’m talking with Chaz Hayden, the author of The First Thing About You (Candlewick, 2022). Chaz’s debut young adult novel is a deeply personal novel about a high school student, Harris, who just wants to fit in, find love, and be a “normal” teenager despite having spinal muscular atrophy and being confined to a wheelchair.
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: You Matter to Me by Doyin Richards, illustrated by Robert Paul Jr. (Feiwel & Friends, 2022).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Wally the World’s Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat—Interview With Author Ratha Tep by Andrea Wang from Picture Book Builders.
Congratulations to Traci Sorell on Wilma Mankiller, part of the She Persisted chapter book series from Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel, 2022).
Take a look back at Traci’s first Cynsations guest post from 2016.
Traci Sorell on Signing with a Literary Agent
By Traci Sorell
I had no idea how beneficial an agent could be when I attended my first SCBWI conference in October 2013.
Continue Reading Thowback Thursday: Traci Sorell on Signing With a Literary Agent »
By AJ Eversole
Today it is my pleasure to welcome Andrea Rogers to the blog. Andrea is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her YA horror debut, Man Made Monsters (Levine Querido, 2022) released in October.
What is the heart of Man Made Monsters?
Continue Reading Author Interview: Andrea Rogers on Writing Horror for Young Readers »
Spotlight image: Debbie Zapata reads Up and Adam, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang (Kids Can Press, 2022) with the assistance of an American Sign Language Interpreter for a group at an Austin park.
Today we welcome two Texas authors to Cynsations to share their path to publication for books inspired by their own families.
Continue Reading New Voices: Alda P. Dobbs & Debbie Zapata Create Books Inspired by Family »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud, illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller (Penguin Workshop, 2022).
Author/Illustrator Insights
Shapes and Lines and Light: A Katie Yamasaki Interview by Betsy Bird from School Library Journal.
Congratulations to Gene Luen Yang, winner of the 2023 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. He is the first graphic novelist to win the prestigious prize!
Take a look back at Gene’s 2018 Cynsations interview with fellow NSK Neustadt Prize winner, Cynthia Leitich Smith.
Author-Teacher Interview: Gene Luen Yang on Writing,
Continue Reading Throwback Thursday: Gene Luen Yang on Writing & Teaching »
When Tim Kleyn reached out to Cynsations with some proofs of his newest picture book, Set Sail for Pancakes (Viking Books for Young Readers 2022), we eagerly wanted to whip up a fantastic interview! Tim is a graphic designer from West Michigan with a penchant for silly sounds,
Continue Reading Author-Illustrator Interview: Tim Kleyn Shares His Inspiration & Creative Process »
By: AJ Eversole
Today we welcome Nasugraq Rainey Hopson to the blog. I was lucky enough to meet her at the We Need Diverse Books Native Writing Intensive back in 2020, and it brings me so much joy to see her career moving forward. She is the author of two short stories,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Nasugraq Rainey Hopson on Overcoming Doubt »