Author Interview: Leslie Connor Talks About the Power of Research & the Beauty of Friendships

By ​​Rebecca Kirshenbaum

Two-time Schneider Award Winner and 2018 National Book Awards Finalist Leslie Connor talks about her new middle grade novel, Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? (Katherine Tegen, 2022), the power of research, and the beauty of symbiotic friendships.

Your newest novel, Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?,

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Young Adult Authors on How Writing about Mental Health Saves Lives

By Rebecca Kirshenbaum

I spent an informative and inspiring hour talking with authors A.S. (Amy) King, Jason Reynolds, Francisco X. Stork, Bill Konigsberg (not pictured), and Cory McCarthy about mental health. In the course of our conversation, we covered our own mental health,

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Author Interview: Elana K. Arnold On Writing & Containing Multitudes

By Rebecca Kirshenbaum

Today on Cynsations we welcome the prolific Elana K. Arnold, who talks neuroatypicality, her new book, and how she—and all of us—contain multitudes.

I am a big fan of your work, and I’m also in awe of your range in writing picture books, chapter books, middle grade,

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In Memory: Floyd Cooper

Photo credit: Velma Cooper

By Rebecca Kirshenbaum

Celebrated illustrator Floyd Cooper died on Friday, July 16, 2021, in Easton, Pennsylvania after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Velma and sons Dayton and Kai and his grandchildren. He was 65.

Floyd Cooper, Illustrator of Black Life for Children,

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Author Interview: Alyson Gerber on How Struggles & Strength Factor into Her Writing

By Rebecca Kirshenbaum

Alyson Gerber talks about struggles and strength and her upcoming novel, Taking Up Space (Scholastic, 2021). I’ve enjoyed all of Alyson Gerber’s work since I had the opportunity to review her debut, Braced (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine 2017), and I continue to be a fan. Her second novel, Focused (Scholastic 2019),

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Sally J. Pla Discusses the Importance of Honest Depictions of Autism & Mental Health

By Rebecca Kirshenbaum

As the parent of children on the autism spectrum and who also struggle with anxiety, I am a big fan of Sally J. Pla‘s books and their representations of neurodiversity. Her most recent middle grade novel Stanley Will Probably Be Fine illustrated by Steve Wolfhard (HarperCollins,

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Cynsational Return: Happy New Year 2021!

By Stephani Martinell Eaton

Happy New Year and welcome back to Cynsations!

We love bringing you upbeat and useful information and inspiration about the children’s-YA literature community, writing, illustration, and publishing. And we are particularly excited about what we have lined up for you in the coming months.

As always,

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