By Traci Sorell
I love books that celebrate multigenerational family gatherings and connections between family members of all ages. Going Down Home With Daddy (Peachtree, 2019) combines rich language by Kelly Starling Lyons and spectacular illustrations by Daniel Minter.
When you sit with the book,
Author P.J. Hoover‘s latest book, The Hidden Code (CBAY Books, 2019), is a fast-paced adventure thriller. From the promotional copy:
Eleven years ago, Hannah Hawkins’ parents disappeared while traveling abroad. Presumed dead, Hannah and her uncle are shocked when a letter from her mom arrives right after Hannah’s sixteenth birthday.
Continue Reading Author Interview: P.J. Hoover on Writing (& Publishing) the Stories You Love »
By Traci Sorell
Memoir is one of my favorite genres to read. When Nikki Grimes shared some poems from hers last summer, I knew I must read Ordinary Hazards (Boyds Mills & Kane, 2019), the entire book.
Written in verse, her words captivated me much as the act of writing did her at an early age.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Nikki Grimes on The Power of Words »
By Stephani Martinell Eaton & Gayleen Rabakukk
Today we welcome two debut YA authors with powerful stories grown from personal experience. Natasha Diaz‘s novel, Color Me In (Delacorte, 2019) explores the meaning of friendship, the joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.
By Traci Sorell
Getting a sneak peek at a beautiful picture book before it’s printed always brings me joy. When the book combines poetry and breathtaking images, my joy increases and my heart sings.
That’s what happened when I saw Evan Turk’s You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks (Atheneum,
Young Suzanne with her Grandfather Tio
in Uvalde, Texas
As writers, we are frequently asked where we draw inspiration from. I think it’s true that everything we write is somewhat autobiographical.
I know I scatter a bit of myself in everything I write – that’s what gives it a soul and makes my stories “sing,” if you will.
Continue Reading Guest Post: Suzanne Crowley on Finding Inspiration Close to Home »
On our way out to a high school winter dance.
The first in a series of four posts celebrating the Oct. 9 release of my realistic contemporary YA novel, Hearts Unbroken (Candlewick).
My senior year of high school, “Back to the Future” was a hot new release,
Continue Reading Hearts Unbroken: Writing Stories “Loosely Inspired By” Your Real Life »
I walk into a classroom at the extraordinary early childhood center where I work, and watch a teacher kneeling or sitting at the height of one of her two-year-olds, one hand holding his, eyes meeting eyes.
Noah, I can see you’re having a hard time finding a way to play with Ari.
The endings of so many wonderful stories – our own and others’ – are different than what protagonists imagine they might be.
And our lives hand us some of the same twists and turns.
As writers and illustrators, there are times we must move through more than the usual vicissitudes.
Today we welcome author Courtney Stevens to discuss her upcoming YA novel, Dress Codes for Small Towns (Harper Teen, August 22, 2017). From the promotional copy:
The year I was seventeen, I had five best friends…and I was in love with all of them for different reasons.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Courtney Stevens on Faith in Lit & Life »
