Robert Kimmel Smith, award-winning children’s author, died April 18 in Manhattan, New York of natural causes. He was 89. Since 2015, Smith had been living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Obituary: Robert Kimmel Smith by Shannon Maughan from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “…known for such popular middle grade novels as Chocolate Fever (1972) and The War with Grandpa (1984) died April 18 at his home….”
Smith was born on July 31,
I’m excited to welcome author Supriya Kelkar to Cynsations.
Her debut middle grade historical novel, Ahimsa (Tu Books, 2017) received starred reviews and made the Amelia Bloomer Top Ten list from the American Library Association.
Her picture book, The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Supriya Kelkar on Writing Personal Stories »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Away From the Wall: Ashima Shiraishi by Owen Clark from Rock and Ice. Peek: “[T]he process of climbing and failure, challenging a climb that’s at your limit…sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don’t,
By Kim Rogers
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to debut author Andrea L. Rogers.
I met Andrea at Kweli’s Color of Children’s Literature Conference in New York City in 2018. Andrea is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Her debut middle grade book is Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Survival Story (Capstone,
Continue Reading Native Voice: Andrea L. Rogers on Writing about the Trail of Tears »
Washington, DC — We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is excited to announce an online Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive that will take place from Aug. 13, to Aug. 16. The theme for the Writing Intensive is elevating and empowering Native voices and it will offer an opportunity for reflection, conversation, celebration, and manuscript and career development for participants.
Continue Reading We Need Diverse Books Announces Online Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive »
And now, let’s welcome Nicole Kronzer and Suzanne Park to our stage Cynsations! These YA debut authors do have a background on the stage. Nicole is a former actor and improvisor, and Suzanne was a stand-up comedian.
Both share the influence these former pursuits have had on their work as writers.
Nelly Buchet and Andrea Zuill are the author and illustrator, respectively, of Cat Dog Dog: The Story of a Blended Family (Schwartz & Wade, 2020). Both are represented by Hen&ink Literary Studio.
Nelly is an actor and a debut author. Bonnier will publish her Can’t Do board book series in 2021.
Continue Reading Author & Illustrator Interview: Nelly Buchet & Andrea Zuill on Cat Dog Dog »
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabukukk, Stephani Eaton, and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Author/Illustrator Insights
Q&A with Amy Spalding: We Used to be Friends from We Need Diverse Books. Peek: “I love the feeling of storytelling that drops you into someone’s present and dares you to imagine things differently.
Gail Shepherd, award-winning journalist, poet, and author of middle grade novel The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins (Kathy Dawson, 2019) died of complications from a brain tumor on Feb. 24 in Lake Worth, Florida. She was 62.
Obituary: Gail Shepherd from Publishers Weekly.
Today we welcome middle grade debut authors Joseph Elliott and Kate O’Shaughnessy as they talk about their inspirations as well as writing the book they needed and wanted to read.
Joseph Elliott
What first inspired you to write for young readers?