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Each year the Organization of American Historians gathers for a few days of networking and education, and this year the annual meeting will be held in Atlanta from 10-13 April 2014. This year’s conference theme is “Crossing Borders,” highlighting the impact of migration on the history of the United States. Organizers are encouraging attendees to cross a few professional borders as well — from career level to specialties.

The meeting will kick off with THATCamp, the humanities and technology camp from OAH, on Wednesday 9 April. Scholars have already proposing sessions on librarian-faculty partnerships, advice on teaching digital humanities, and digital mapping and modelling.

If you’re interested in the intersection of history scholarship and technology, you may want to speak with editors Adina Popescu Berk, Ph.D., Jon Butler Ph.D, and Susan Ware Ph.D on Friday, 11 April at 2:00 p.m. in the OUP Booth #411 to discuss the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History and the American National Biography Online. The Oxford Reference Encyclopedia in American History will provide students and scholars with vetted, reliable, historiographically-informed, and regularly updated online reference material in all areas. The landmark American National Biography offers portraits of more than 18,700 men and women — from all eras and walks of life — whose lives have shaped the nation.

You’ll discover another conference highlights on the exhibit floor: The Tuskegee Airmen: The Segregated Skies of World War II, exploring the history and heroism of the first African American pilots to fly in combat during World War II. Here a brief introduction from Todd Moye’s Freedom Flyers to help prepare you:

“Nearly one thousand young men with similar backgrounds and similar expectations graduated from the Tuskegee Army Flying School between 1941 and 1945. Roughly 14,000 additional men and women worked alongside the pilots in some capacity –as civilian or military flight instructors, as secretaries, parachute-packers, medical doctors and nurses, mechanics, and in dozens of other jobs. Their personal narratives-the stories that describe what it was like to both propel and ride a wave of social change-survive in the archives of the Tuskegee Airmen Oral History Prospect, an effort on the part of the U.S. National Park Service to record the memories of the men and women who fought Adolf Hitler and Jim Crow simultaneously. Black pilots and black military and civilian support personnel in the Army Air Corps/Air Forces, those who served overseas and those who remained stateside, all shared the experience of fighting what the editors of the Pittsburgh Courier first called a “Double Victory” campaign: war against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.”

That’s one of over 534 books, 140 journals, and even a TV monitor and multiple iPads (to show off our new and updated online resources) that we’re bringing. Stop by to check out these OAH 2013 prize-winning titles too:

• Winner of the Winner of Ellis W. Hawley Prize, Kate Brown’s Plutopia: Nuclear Families, Atomic Cities, and the Great Soviet and American Plutonium Disasters
• Winner of the OAH Liberty Legacy Foundation Award: Susan Carle’s Defining the Struggle: National Organizing for Racial Justice, 1880-1915
• Winner of the James A. Rawley prize Brenda Stevenson’s The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins: Justice, Gender, and the Origins of the LA Race Riots

You’ll also find complimentary copies of the OAH’s Journal of American History, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. In June 1914, the Mississippi Valley Historical Review put out its first issue. In celebration, Oxford’s journals team is making one article from each of its 10 decades of publishing freely available.

For a change of pace, Ian Ruskin’s performance of “To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine” on Thursday, 10 April, 5:15 p.m. is not to be missed. But if you want a little time away from the conference, we asked the newest member of the Oxford History team, Senior Marketing Manager, John Hercel what his favorite things to do in Atlanta are:

• World of Coca-Cola: Did you know that Coca-Cola was created over 128 years ago by pharmacist, John S. Pemberton? When Coca-Cola was first available they averaged nine servings a day in Atlanta — today the estimate is 1.9 billion servings daily worldwide! Current exhibits at World of Coca-Cola include American Originals: Norman Rockwell and Coca-Cola (a look at how Coca-Cola has been featured in pop culture) and the Coca-Cola vault (where you can get as close as possible to the secret formula).
• Inside CNN: Offering tours of the largest of CNN studios 48 bureaus, Inside CNN allows visitors to experience the fast-paced world of television news — by visiting the working studios, seeing and hearing live audio and videos feeds, and learning how the news is produced and broadcast around the world.

Don’t forget to come by Oxford’s reception on Friday, April 11 at Nikolai’s Roof starting at 5:30 -Have a little wine, a little cheese, and mingle with our authors, friends, and colleagues.

See you soon!
Oxford History Team

Oxford University Press is a leading publisher in American History including books, journals, and online products.

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The post Preparing for OAH 2014 appeared first on OUPblog.

        

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Blog name: American Indians in Children's Literature

Blogger: Debbie Reese

Blog Origination date: May 8, 2006

Focus: Portrayals of American Indians in children's and young adult books

Regular features: Essays, short and long, written to help readers recognize flawed portrayals of American Indians, wherever they appear. The focus is literature, but I also blog about commercial products, textbooks, lesson plans, movies, and television shows.

Pub schedule. How frequently do you update your blog? At least twice a week

Post of note, something in particular you want readers to check out:
Effects of American Indian stereotypes

50 words or less how would you describe your blog:
Whether you were raised in the United States or another country, you were given (by well-meaning adults) books that portrayed American Indians in stereotypical ways as tragic and noble, or savage and brutal. You may even have come to believe that American Indians vanished, killed off by colonizers and other tribes. We're still here! Come to my site and learn about us.

Top 10 reads if we want to become informed about Native American children's lit?
Below are some things you can find at my site. I link to full-text articles, doing what I can to provide no-cost resources.

"Authenticity and Sensitivity: Goals for writing and reviewing books with Native American themes," by Debbie Reese, in School Library Journal.

"I is not for Indian: The Portrayal of Native Americans in Books for Young People," by Naomi Caldwell-Wood and Lisa Mitten of the American Indian Library Association

"I Still Isn't for Indian," by Nina Lindsay, in School Library Journal

"Look Mom! It's George! He's a TV Indian! by Debbie Reese, in Horn Book Magazine

Native American Themes in Children and Young Adult Books, by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Two invaluable print resources are:
American Indian Themes in Young Adult Literature, by Paulette Molin
A Broken Flute: The Native Perspective in Books for Children, edited by Doris Seale and Beverly Slapin

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they've visited your blog?
I hope readers come away knowing how to

Blogger: Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Blog name: Flip the Page: The No-Hype Book Blog

Web site: Lyn Miller-Lachman

Regular features: The site contains information about MultiCultural Review and the works of fiction that I have authored or edited—Once Upon a Cuento (Curbstone Press, 2003), an anthology of stories for young people by Latino authors; my eco-thriller for adult readers, Dirt Cheap (Curbstone Press, 2006); and most recently, my critically acclaimed young adult novel set in Chile and the United States, Gringolandia (Curbstone Press, 2009). Also included are reading group discussion questions for Dirt Cheap and lesson plans and teachers guides for Once Upon a Cuento and Gringolandia.

Pub schedule. How frequently do you update your blog? I add entries every two weeks, though I take time off in the summer. Many of the blog posts report on my appearances in schools and libraries and on discussion questions and activities that worked well. Other posts highlight books of note for children and adults, particularly ones published by small presses that get too little attention from the mainstream media.

Post of note, something in particular you want readers to check out: My recent review essay on middle grade and young adult books that depict allies has gotten a lot of attention:"How To Be An Ally."

100 words or less how would you describe your work? Since I began teaching high school in New York City three decades ago, I have been interested in exploring and championing the diversity that makes us human. I have come at this goal in a variety of ways. Through two reference books and MultiCultural Review I have evaluated multicultural materials for quality and authenticity and highlighted those I feel worthy of widespread attention. I have written novels that explore intercultural relationships and the challenges faced by young people who have become activists for justice and human rights. I have been involved in activism for peace, human rights, and the environment and continue to teach as well.

100 words on less please share your thoughts on writing and activism:<

Writer: Justine Larbalestier

blog: Justine Larbalesier

WiP or most recently published work:
Liar

Pub schedule. How frequently do you update your blog?
I try to blog every day but sometimes life gets in the way.

Post of note, something in particular you want readers to check out:
I'm not sure how to answer this so instead I'm listing the post that has generated the most responses from my readers. Not just in comments but letters to me and linkage etc:

How to re-write

I wrote it because so many beginning writers were telling me that they had no idea to rewrite. Given that it took me twenty years to learn how I understood exactly what they meant. Rewriting is the hardest thing to learn about writing. This post is my attempt at giving some pointers that hopefully will point some in the right direction.

Top 5 reads for 2009?
This has been an absolutely amazing year for books. I don't think I've read a bad one. Which makes it incredibly hard to pick my favourites. For starters many of the new books I love that came out this year I read last year. Also many are by friends of mine. Or by my husband. So I'm listing my fave five books I read in 2009 that are by people I don't know or correspond with:

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith: I've not been able to get this book out of my head since I first read it. Ida Mae Jones is my hero. (My review is here.)

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson: Another book that's lodged itself in my head permanently. Absolutely haunting. (My review is here.)

Black Water Rising by Attica Locke: A debut crime novel set in Houston in the early 80s, which I cannot believe is a debut. I'm convinced she must have written dozens of other novels first. Astonishingly good.


Bayou by Jeremy Love: My favourite graphic novel of the year or possibly any year. A reimagining of Disney's Song of the South that

Blogger: Monica Roberts

Blog Origination date: January 1, 2006

Focus: politics, history, current events, culture, discussing transgender issues from an Afrocentric perspective

Regular features: Shut Up Fool! Awards, Saturday Sellout

Pub schedule. How frequently do you update your blog? Daily I do 2-4 posts per day or as current events or my creative mood warrants.

Post of note, something in particular you want readers to check out:
I Didn’t Stop Being Black When I Transitioned

Why Black Transgender Issues Are Black Community Issues

Evolving Into Black Womanhood

50 words or less how would you describe your blog:
The TransGriot header says it best: News, opinions, commentary, history and a little creative writing from an African-American transwoman about the world around her.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog?

That transwomen are women who had to overcome much, including being born in mismatched bodies and societal prejudice to attain that recognition.

Black transwomen have especially gotten a bum rap over the years in terms of our images. It's especially hurtful coming from our fellow African descended people.

I want my readers to take away from TransGriot that we are thoughtful, intelligent people who are part of the mosaic of human life. We have things to say and talents to contribute to this community and society to make it better.

We have a history, we are proud African descended people who are deserving of and demanding our seat at the American family table.

Thanks, Monica.

Blog name: Feminist Review

Blogger: We are a collective of over 200 writers and 10 editors

Blog Origination date: November 2006

Focus: We publish reviews written from anti-oppression standpoints.

Regular features: reviews of books, music, film, products; interviews with authors, musicians, and other cultural activists

Pub schedule: We publish three new reviews daily.

How frequently do you update your blog? Daily

Post of note: People really loved this interview with make/shift.

Something in particular you want readers to check out:
Our most controversial review to date is: "Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide To Why Feminism Matters."

50 words or less how would you describe your blog:
Feminist Review believes that all opinions - positive and critical - are valuable and seeks to give voice to communities that remain on the margins. We recognize that there are many feminisms and provide a space where those differences can be represented and explored.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog?
We hope they will be exposed to media and products that they wouldn't otherwise have heard about. We hope they engage with the reviews to offer their own perspectives.

*** experience the world... from a feminist perspective! ***

Special thanks to Ama for sharing Feminist Review with us.

Blog name: Mitali’s Fire Escape

Blogger: Mitali Perkins

Blog Origination date: April 23, 2005

Focus: Kid/YA Books Between Cultures

Regular features: Books featuring children of war, author interviews, Poetry Friday

How frequently do you update your blog? Once a day, M-F, with some time off in the winter and summer while I focus on intensive writing.

Post of note: Something in particular you want readers to check out
Bowdlerizing Children's Books: A Poll
Should publishers edit beloved children's books like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE or THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA to eliminate racial or ethnic stereotyping?

Writing Race: A Checklist For Writers

50 words or less how would you describe your blog:
A safe place to think, chat, and read about life and books between cultures.

Name your top 5 reads for 2009?
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
14 Cows For America by Carmen Agra Deedy and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah
Outcasts United by Warren St. John
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog?
I hope to open eyes, hearts, and minds, including my own, to the power of literature in fighting racism, poverty, and the suffering of children.

*Read Shelf Elf's review of Mitali's latest work, Secret Keeper here.

Blog name: Shen's Books Blog

Blogger: Renee Ting

Blog Origination date: August, 2006

Focus: Books published by Shen's Books and Multicultural Children's Literature

Regular features: News about our books, Shen's author events, and book reviews of multicultural children's books (published by other companies)



Your 2009 short list:
Multicultural Picture book: Tsunami! by Kimiko Kajikawa, illustrated by Ed Young
Multicultural Novel: Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier
Shen's Books title: Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant
General Middle Reader: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
General YA: Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

How frequently do you update your blog? At least once a week

Post of note, something in particular you want readers to check out: I just started a new series of short videos called "The Multicultural Minute," in which I discuss multicultural children's books, publishing, and ideas in one minute! The first episode is on our blog here.

50 words or less how would you describe your blog: Shen's Blog is not only where you'll find the latest information about Shen's Books, but it’s the place to go to read about all multicultural children's literature. At Shen’s Blog, you’ll find a world of information about multicultural issues, literature, authors, and illustrators.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog? Mostly, I would like to introduce readers to more great multicultural books that they ever knew were available, and keep them updated on what Shen's Books has been doing, and how our books have been doing.

Thanks, Renee.

COLA- Color Online Love Alert. Find links to blogs, books and articles written by women of color or news about awards and articles celebrating the work of women of color writers, poets, artists and activists. We'll also feature multicultural publishers. Check the sidebar regularly for new COLA links.

Blog Name: Latino Examiner

Blogger: Mayra Calvani

Blog Origination date: March 2009

Focus: Latino/Hispanic literature.

Regular features: Interviews, profiles, reviews, events, news, contests.

How frequently do you update your blog? 4-6 new posts a week.

Post of note: Interview with Julia Amante

50 words or less how would you describe your blog? My blog's aim is to promote the written work of both new and established Latino/a authors and to celebrate the richness and diversity of Hispanic literature.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog? I want my readers to discover new Latino/a authors. You can't expect people to buy what they don't know about, so my job is to let them know what's out there when it comes to Hispanic literature.

COLA- Color Online Love Alert. Find links to blogs, books and articles written by women of color or news about awards and articles celebrating the work of women of color writers, poets, artists and activists. We'll also feature multicultural publishers. Check the sidebar regularly for new COLA links.

Blog name: The Happy Nappy Bookseller

Blogger: Doret Canton

Blog Origination date: January 2008

Focus: I review mainly middle grade and young adult titles. Like many people who blog about YA literature, I love a lot of the best selling authors but I won't spend much time on their books. I will mention them (how can I not talk about authors I love) but I like to focus on books that might not get much attention.

Regular features: None. I am not good at keeping a schedule seems too much like work. Though I will throw other things into the mix when I feel the urge.

How frequently do you update your blog? I update pretty regularly, about every other day.

Post of note: That's Not What This Rant Is About - I never thought I'd hit double digits in comments, but I did with this post. I was very happy with what I said and how I said it, and the responses I got in return.

Something in particular you’d like visitors to check out: Books Worth The Wait

50 words or less how would you describe your blog: I like to think my blog as fun and welcoming to all. I hope readers who visit will find some good books to read. I hope they'll see in my so far from scholarly reviews, how much I enjoy or love the books I talk about. I hope visitors who read primarily YA featuring white characters will add a few titles featuring characters of color to their TBR.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog? I want visitors to see how easy it is, to fiction jump and take a chance on something outside of their reading comfort zone.

COLA: Color Online Love Alert



Blog name: Womanist Musings

Blogger: Renee Martin

Blog Origination date: April 2008

Focus: Pop culture, politics. parenting, current events from a anti- racist womanist perspective.

Regular features: Saturday Drop it like its hot (link fest and open post) Sunday Shame (admitting the silly things we do everyday)

Pub schedule: 4-5 times a day Mon-Fri 2 times Sat-Sun

How frequently do you update your blog? Every day

Post of note: Can I Touch Your Hair

50 words or less how would you describe your blog:
Womanist Musings is about speaking truth to power. The majority of the topics deal with people that are marginalized that society has a tendency to ignore. There is no subject to controversial because we can create change unless we are willing to look at the truth directly.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog?
I hope that readers will see themselves reflected and know that all people matter- that is essentially the main theme of this blog. We may not always agree on the solutions but
we sure have fun arguing and working for change. When the fluff posts go up on the weekend we laugh at ourselves and the little things that just bring a smile to your lips. Even in tough times I believe that the weekends are meant for recuperation and joy.

Color Online Love Alert
Community, please join me in supporting BronzeWord Latino Authors. BWLA introduces readers to Latino/a authors often not featured elsewhere and provides dozens of informative articles daily on Twitter. If you’re interested in multicultural literature, BronzeWord is a must read. If you tweet, follow BronzeWord. It is one of the easiest ways to access information that matches your reading and cultural interests.

BronzeWord Latino Authors is published by Jo Ann Hernandez a published author of two novels: White Bread Competition and The Throwaway Piece. In this market, writers must self-promote, but that’s not how I met Jo Ann. I learned about her work because she spends a great deal of her time promoting others and that is why she’s our current feature COLA writer. Check out BronzeWord’s profile:

Blog Origination date: January, 2009

Focus: Latino/a authors, books, writing, publishing, contests

Regular features: Top Ten Days of (author’s name) and Blog Brag
Also we post information on @BronzeWord and @LatinoBookNews at Twitter.com

Upcoming feature: Blog Carnival and Latino Virtual Book Tours

Pub schedule: Saturday is Blog Brag and weekdays is Top Ten Days

How frequently do you update your blog? Every day

Something in particular you want readers to check out:

Check out the services that BronzeWord offers to all writers.

Please note if you leave a comment on a post that will strengthened the blog’s chance of having a higher rating on the search engines. Also if you leave your name and your blog URL in your comment, your site will have a better rating on search engines, too. Leave a comment to benefit yourself and the blog you are visiting. You and they will benefit.

50 words or less how would you describe your blog?

BronzeWord Latino Authors teaches writers to improve their writing skills. We will assist you in achieving your publishing goals. BronzeWord Services facilitates the author to complete marketable manuscripts. We host authors and talk about their books. Blogs are highlighted each Saturday. Latino Virtual Book Tours are offered.

What do you hope readers will gain, find or enjoy because they’ve visited your blog?

When a person visits BronzeWord Latino Authors, I hope they will find information that will benefit them in their writing career. I want visitors to take away lessons learned on how to maneuver the book industry. If anyone has a question, I wish they feel comfortable enough to email me with the question, and I will do what I can to get the answer to them. I want them to find my services crucial, and to discover new books by Latino/a authors to read.Also I hope each visitor notices my birthday and remembers to send an email on my birthday!!!

*
Thanks Jo Ann, we wish you continued growth and success with BWLA. Community, if you know of a blog, writer, publisher or organization you think we should show a little love to, drop me a line at [email protected]

Community,

Our blog roll is awfully short in my opinion. If you have a site or know of a site that supports, promotes or otherwise shares our commitment to diversity, please drop us a link. If you don't mind, please share why you're recommending the site.

I'm going to expand the COLA feature to include a blog post in addition to the link in the sidebar.

Lastly, I'm looking for guest or regular contributing columnists for Color Online. I'm stretched too thin and consequently we are not achieving as much as I believe is possible is here. If you're interersted in helping us, drop me an email at [email protected]. I'm looking for contributors to write book reviews, interviews, cultural essays or articles that spotlight idividuals and organizations that are postively supporting youth, promoting diversity or creating spaces that uplift and inspire women of color.