Thowback Thursday: Author Jen Ferguson on What She Has Learned As A Writer

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

Congratulations to author Jen Ferguson on the publication of A Constellation of Minor Bears (Heartdrum, September 2024)! From the publisher’s website:

Before that awful Saturday,

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Throwback Thursday: Alicia D. Williams Shares How Children Inspire Her Writing

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

Congratulations to Alicia D. Williams on her book, Mid-Air (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, April 2024) being longlisted for the National Book Award!

From the publisher’s website:

A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning illustrated middle grade novel in verse “full of vulnerability and hope” (Booklist,

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Throwback Thursday: Monique Gray Smith Shares Advice for Beginning Writers

Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

Congratulations to Monique Gray Smith on the recent publication of Circle of Love, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Heartdrum/HarperKids, 2024). From the publisher’s description:

Everyone is welcome in the circle.

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Throwback Thursday: Abigail Hing Wen on Character Development

Congratulations to Abigail Hing Wen on the publication of Loveboat Forever (HarperTeen, Nov. 7, 2023), companion to her previous title, Loveboat, Taipei (HarperTeen, 2020). The adaptation of her first novel is now streaming on Paramount+ as Love in Taipei. From the promotional copy:

Pearl was ready for a worldwide stage.

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Throwback Thursday: Susanna Reich & Gary Golio on Social Justice, Music & Picture Book Biographies

Congratulations to Susanna Reich on her newest picture book, Pass the Baby, illustrated by Raúl Colón (Neal Porter Books, 2023). From the promotional copy:

What does it take to make a perfect family meal? Is it the forks, spoons, plates, and napkins? Maybe it’s sister’s lemonade, Papi’s guacamole, or delicious meatballs and ravioli eyed by a hungry pup.

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Throwback Thursday: Laurie Goodluck Reflects on Influences & Forever Cousins

Congratulations to Laurie Goodluck on the publication of Rock Your Mocs, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) (Heartdrum/HarperCollins, Oct. 10, 2023). From the promotional copy:

We’re stepping out and kicking it up.

Wearing beauty on their feet—as art, as tradition, with style, with pride—kids from different Native Nations know every day is a day to rock your mocs.

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Throwback Thursday: Dawn Quigley on Her Drive to Write for Young Readers

Congratulations to Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe) on the publication of Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day, illustrated by Tara Audibert (of Wolastoqey and French heritage)(Heartdrum/HarperCollins, Sept. 19, 2023), third in the Jo Jo Makoons chapter book series. From the promotional copy:

Oh, snow day, snow day, what a very fun no-school day!

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Throwback Thursday: Carole Boston Weatherford on Persistence & Poetry

Congratulations to Carole Boston Weatherford on the publication of Kin: Rooted in Hope, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum, September 19, 2023). From the promotional copy:

Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford’s ancestors are among the founders of Maryland. Their family history there extends more than three hundred years, but as with the genealogical searches of many African Americans with roots in slavery,

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Throwback Thursday: Lupe Ruiz-Flores on Writing From the Heart & Lupita’s Papalote

Congratulations to Lupe Ruiz-Flores on her new picture book, Piece by Piece: Ernestine’s Gift for President Roosevelt, illustrated by Anna López Real (Millbrook, Sept. 5, 2023). From the promotional copy:

During the Great Depression, Ernestine Guerrero’s family didn’t have much. The Mexican American teen was so grateful for the government food aid they received in San Antonio,

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