Guest Post: Kelly Jensen Discusses How Much-Needed Anthologies Fill Gaps in Youth Literature

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,

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Guest Post: Susanna Reich & Gary Golio on Social Justice, Music & Picture Book Biographies

Guest Post: Susanna Reich & Gary Golio on Social Justice, Music & Picture Book Biographies

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,

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Authors, Editor & Illustrator Interview: Fred Korematsu Speaks Up (Fighting for Justice)

Authors, Editor & Illustrator Interview: Fred Korematsu Speaks Up (Fighting for Justice)

By Gayleen Rabakukk

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. 

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Guest Post: Crossing the Bar: Or a YA Fiction Writer Tries Out Adult Non-Fiction

Guest Post: Crossing the Bar: Or a YA Fiction Writer Tries Out Adult Non-Fiction

By Marianne Monson


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,

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Author Interview & Giveaway: Sebastian Robertson on Writing His Father’s Rock and Roll Biography

Author Interview & Giveaway: Sebastian Robertson on Writing His Father’s Rock and Roll Biography

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.

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Author Interview: Ann Bausum on Our Country’s First Ladies

Author Interview: Ann Bausum on Our Country’s First Ladies

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,

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