By Kelly Jensen
It was mid-2014 when I got a rush of frantic messages on Twitter from a number of authors telling me to be in touch with Elise Howard at Algonquin Young Readers (AYR). She really wanted to talk with me.
One talk quickly led to a group call with Krestyna Lypen,
Andrea M. Page is the first-time author of Sioux Code Talkers of World War II (Pelican Publishing, 2017). From the promotional copy:
In World War II, code-making and code-breaking reached a feverish peak. The fabled Enigma Cipher had been broken, and all sides were looking for a secure,
Continue Reading New Voice: Andrea Page on Sioux Code Talkers of World War II »
Roberto Penas
Lee & Low Books recently announced Roberto Penas of Olathe, Kansas won the 17th annual New Voices Award.
His manuscript, “Pedro Flores: The Toymaker,” is a biography of the inventor of the modern yo-yo.
In the early 1900s,
Continue Reading Interview: Lee & Low New Voices Award Winners »
Susanna Reich and Gary Golio, photo by Laura Golio
By Susanna Reich and Gary Golio
From intern Gayleen Rabakukk
The power of music to inspire action is explored in two non-fiction picture books out this month: Stand Up and Sing! Pete Seger, Folk Music and the Path to Justice by Susanna Reich,
Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi are the co-authors of Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, illustrated by Yukata Houlette (Heyday, 2017). From the promotional copy:
Fred Korematsu liked listening to music on the radio, playing tennis, and hanging around with his friends—just like lots of other Americans.
Up until the publication of my most recent book, Frontier Grit: The Untold True Stories of Pioneer Women (Shadow Mountain, 2016), I’ve primarily considered myself a young adult fiction writer.
When my editor asked me to take on this project, I protested that I wasn’t a historian,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Crossing the Bar: Or a YA Fiction Writer Tries Out Adult Non-Fiction »
By Traci Sorell
My love of music outweighs my love of the written word. So, I am delighted when I find children’s
book biographies written about any of my favorite musicians. I rush to devour them and learn more about the creative geniuses whose beautiful lyrics and magical melodies have lifted my spirit or given me comfort throughout my life.
Ann Bausum writes about U.S. history for young people from her home in Beloit, Wisconsin. Her books often examine social justice themes, including the voting rights of women (With Courage and Cloth (National Geographic, 2004)), the struggle to integrate interstate buses during 1961 (Freedom Riders (National Geographic, 2006)), and the power of free speech (Muckrakers (National Geographic,
Continue Reading Author Interview: Ann Bausum on Our Country’s First Ladies »
