Yesterday I spoke on a panel of
all female young adult authors and editors. Our audience was a group of almost all female librarians. After our panel, a representative from
Gender Spectrum shared his understanding of gender and children, and his organization's mission to serve transgendered children.
As he spoke, I found myself getting more and more irritated. At the end, I raised my hand and fired off an aggressive question—I can hardly remember what I asked. Then, as he was answering diplomatically and politely, I cut him off, blurting out something like, “That’s a lot of powerful adults making a decision for a powerless child!”
It got worse. I stormed out of the panel and leaped in my car. It took a few minutes for the a wave of shame to overwhelm me. I’m not usually that rude, am I? Maybe I’m turning into the wicked villain of western fairy tales: a curmudgeonly old woman, I thought. That’s it. I’ve become a crone.
But as I drove to my parents’ house, I realized I was more than cranky and irritated. I was furious. But why?
He was championing marginalized children. I’m all for that.
He was encouraging us to create safe spaces for children in danger of bullying or self-harm. I’m definitely for that.
He was telling us that children should be free to decide their own identities. I can advocate for that.
Then why was I so ANGRY? I've been ruminating over the possible reasons for my rage, and here’s what I've realized.
(1) In his portrayal of gender as three-fold—in biology, expression, and identity—
he didn’t mention the unique capacity of women to become pregnant, sometimes against our will. Being born with a biological uterus brings a potential cost that doesn’t come with
expressing yourself as a woman and
identifying as a woman. Especially in villages where brown and black women suffer through
fistula,
female genital cutting,
child marriage, and
rape. Think about living in places where a girl can be shot in the face for speaking up (I love you,
Malala.)
(2) In his portrayal of gender as fluid,
he didn’t mention the history of oppression that women have and continue to experience—especially brown and black women. Out of her suffering and marginalization, Sojourner Truth won the right to ask, “
Ain’t I a Woman?”
(Take your time to watch the video below of Alfre Woodard re-enacting this landmark speech--it's beautiful.)
To choose to be a woman is significantly different than to choose to be a man given the history and continued existence of pervasive misogyny. Maybe this is why we are seeing an odd
rift between feminists and the trans community. We're all in favor of championing marginalized voices, but we can't nod our heads dumbly without exploring the nuances and tension within each particular situation. “Diversity” is complex, and rightfully so.
(3) In his push to prove that gender is no longer binary (male and female), the Gender Spectrum speaker seemed to contradict himself: apparently, it’s no longer binary unless a child insistently, persistently, and consistently decides to be male or female. Why this particular statement was a punch in the gut didn’t come to me until this morning, when I realized it was an emotion akin to how I feel when I encounter cultural appropriation.
It's a question of power.
Here was a white, adult man telling me it was essentially the same thing for a girl to want to be a boy as for a boy to want to be a girl. It was all about the choice and desire of the child, he was saying. He was drawing squiggly lines here, there, and everywhere to show how anybody could choose to be anything. And this made the little brown girl in me furious, because the rights of powerless biological girls are consistently, persistently, and insistently overcome by the desires and intentions of powerful adults, usually men.
I was born a third daughter in a culture that scorned my mother for producing me. In response, she dressed me as a boy in public. People would laud her for giving her husband such a chubby, healthy son. I knew how unhappy she was, and so I (insistently, persistently, and consistently) wanted to be a boy for years. I wanted to make my mother happy—what child doesn’t?
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| Guess which one wanted to be a boy? |
If powerful adults want to change the gender of a powerless child (which means, given the reality of this world, typically a child biologically born as a girl), and we
provide the means and technology for them to do so from infancy on, won’t this further skew cultures away from a 50-50
ratio of biological men and women?
Even if son-desiring parents wait until the child can express her gender and her identity, as this speaker was advocating, couldn’t a desire for adult approval and cultural power lead to this child passionately expressing a desire to become a boy?
My rage came to a head when I arrived at my parents’ house. Sixty years ago my mother was given in marriage to a man she didn’t know. The dowry was good. She was a teenager without voice or choice. (My great-grandmother was nine when she was married off, so I guess it wasn’t so bad for Ma—everything’s relative, right? No pun intended.) Now my mother is tenderly caring for a man she didn’t choose to marry, and she's doing it with grace and joy. If she could have looked ahead to the miscarriages, traumatic childbirths, shame, abuse, onerous maternal duties, and lack of power she experienced ALL THROUGHOUT her life as a woman, would the child version of her have chosen to identify and express herself as a man? Wouldn’t she have changed the biology of her daughters in the womb if science had given her the capacity?
I’m grateful for a sisterhood of suffering brown women around the globe, and the chance to speak up on their behalf. Here’s what I want to say to the folks at Gender Spectrum before they make their next presentation: Step outside of North American borders, please, and exit modern time for a moment. Set your discussion about gender in the context of history as well as while acknowledging the present-day oppression of women. The biology of being born a girl, and especially a brown girl, launches you on a different hero’s journey. If you're not convinced, come over, have a cup of tea with my mother, and listen to her stories.
In the meantime, I’m casting my vote for Malala as woman of the decade.
The children's and young adult book publishing community is converging in San Francisco for the American Library Association's Annual Convention this weekend. The buzz is palpable; the parties already starting. Here's my schedule:
Wednesday, June 25:
Author Series: A GROWN-UP CONVERSATION ABOUT CHILDREN’S BOOKS, at the Battery Club in San Francisco. Here's the description of the event:
You may not know it, but a golden age of literature is now unfolding on our bookcases’ lowest shelves. For too long we have neglected a much loved, widely read, artistically significant literary form: the picture book. Join Mac Barnett, Carson Ellis, Jon Klassen, and Christian Robinson, four young voices in children’s literature, for a discussion about how picture books work, why they matter, and how we can ensure our children get the great art they deserve.
Thursday, June 26:
I'll be partying with my agent, Laura Rennert, and other writers and agents at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency ALA Get-Together from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, June 27:
Daniel Handler and Jacqueline Woodson with We Need Diverse Books are hosting a celebration of
Scott Bonner, director of the Ferguson Public Library and winner of the 2015 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced With Adversity. This event will take place from 6-9 p.m.
Sunday, June 28:
From 9-10, a bunch of YA authors and librarians will be mingling at the
YALSA Coffee Klatch. Here's the description:
Enjoy coffee and meet with YALSA's award winning authors! This informal coffee klatch will give you an opportunity to meet authors who have appeared on one of YALSA’s six annual selected lists or have received one of YALSA's five literary awards. Librarians will sit at a table and every 3 or 4 minutes, a new author will arrive at your table to talk about their upcoming books!
From 10:30 - 11:30, I'll be signing copies of TIGER BOY in Charlesbridge booth #3116. Please stop by and say hello.
At noon, I'll join Sage Publications and ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom at the 2nd annual Banned Books Readout Booth, where I'm going to read a short passage from THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie, and then speak from the heart about why that book matters to me.
Hope to see you there!
I had a marvelous ten days visiting schools in the Boston area and in Brooklyn, as well as teaching a few workshops at the annual New England Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference and the Muse and the Marketplace 2014 conference sponsored by Grub Street.
In case you missed my whirlwind trip via social media, I've gathered a few photo highlights. As you can see below, it took a bundle of librarians to make this trip happen. I returned from my journey even more impressed by these talented cheerleaders of kids and reading. They are truly an American treasure.
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| I started and ended the trip by presenting with authors David Yoo and Francisco Stork, who both contributed to OPEN MIC. David (pictured above) met with middle schoolers at the Fenn School in Concord, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Francisco shared with high schoolers and I spoke to upper elementary students. |
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| These days, school librarians must be book experts, tech geniuses, and marketers extraordinaire, like Susan Fisher of the Fenn School. |
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| Chatting with students after my talks is always a joy, especially when school librarians have prepared the kids well for my visit. Students at the Fenn School gathered to chat about the differences between books and movies as story venues and to ask questions about BAMBOO PEOPLE. |
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| Next I headed to Nashoba Brooks Academy to meet with school librarian / diversity champion Sam Kane, who coordinated my presentation to second graders about RICKSHAW GIRL. I had a bit of time so I stopped by the Old Manse in Concord, where Thoreau planted this garden at the Old Manse as a wedding present for the Hawthornes. It's doing fine. |
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| My creative spirit stirred on a raw spring day as I walked the grounds where famous writers used to dwell. But there's little time for writing during an author visit maelstrom. The day after my sessions at the Fenn School and Nashoba Brooks Academy, I visited Zervas and Underwood schools in Newton, Massachusetts, where I was hosted by parents serving on Creative Arts and Sciences committees. |
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| Next stop, Springfield Massachusetts for the New England Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference, where I taught workshops on dialogue and virtual book launches. I enjoyed this reflection of the Campanile from my hotel room. |
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| Seeing writing buddies galore (Lisa Papademetriou and Ammi-Joan Paquette are pictured above) is one of the best reasons to go to this marvelous conference. |
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| Tara Sullivan shows off the forthcoming paperback issue of GOLDEN BOY, her award-winning novel about Habo, a Tanzanian boy with albinism. |
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Trend spotted: cute agents with bangs. (Kaylee Davis on the left and Lauren Macleod on the right.)
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| After a quick session on crafting place in fiction at the Muse and the Marketplace conference in Boston, I headed to Brooklyn for an assembly at Packer Collegiate School, where Lois Lowry studied as a girl. |
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| The grounds and building reeked of tradition, and the auditorium looked like an old chapel. The students were receptive and engaged, thanks mostly to school librarian Kristyn Dorfman, who welcomed and hosted me. |
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| Next I taught kids at P.S. 230 in Brooklyn how to draw alpanas. Since many of them are Bangladeshi, they're naturals, and the art was amazing. Thanks for this visit goes to Susan Brill, a superb teacher who cares deeply about reading global books in her multicultural classroom. |
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| I knew RICKSHAW GIRL was a "mirror" book for the kids of P.S. 230 when I saw this poster on the gate. |
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| That afternoon I strolled across the Brooklyn Bridge and back. |
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| Stopped to watch handball on one of the playgrounds and was tempted to get in line for a game. |
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| Next stop was Brooklyn Friends School, where I led writing workshops for 8th graders and presented a session for the 5th grade. |
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| Middle School Librarian Angie Ungaro took excellent care of me at Brooklyn Friends. Again, note the superb signage. |
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| Back in the Boston area, I visited Derby Academy in Hingham, established in 1784. Tuition used to be an armful of firewood. I think it might be a bit steeper now. Librarian Barbara Zinkovich arranged my visit impeccably. |
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| I've gotten good at multitasking during presentations. Here I'm teaching one kid to bargain for bananas in an imaginary Bangladeshi marketplace while I wrap a saree around a second volunteer. |
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| After full-day gigs at the two middle schools in Reading, Massachusetts, where school librarians Christine Steinhauser and Robyn Ferrazzani took care of me, public school librarians celebrated OPEN MIC with Thai food. (From L to R: Young Adult Librarian Susan Beauregard, author Francisco Stork, Adult Services Librarian Andrea Fiorillo, author David Yoo, and Young Adult Librarian Renee Smith.) |
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| Reading Librarian Andrea Fiorillo, David Yoo, Francisco Stork, and a lovely bookseller from Andover Bookstore after our Big Read panel on growing up between cultures. |
After 10 days on the road, I'm home again. I presented 26 times in 11 schools and 2 conferences in Boston and Brooklyn, where I got to chat with three brilliant New York independent school librarians (Angie Ungaro, Sarah Murphy, and Kerry Roeder). They create a podcast for librarians called the "Watchers Podcast," and featured an interview with me on Episode 7. They even provide a list of resources for every episode. We recorded in my hotel room in Brooklyn, clustering around the microphone, and it was one of the highlights of my trip.
Yesterday I was delighted to be one of four authors invited to attend the Associates of the Boston Public Library's 2012 Literary Lights For Children tea party. Each author (Kevin Hawkes, Christopher Paolini, Gary Schmidt, and myself) was introduced by a Boston middle schooler, and asked to speak about how we became readers and writers. My host was a dapper, delightful 8th-grader from Chelsea:
The Bates Reading Room in the Boston Public Library was packed (photo courtesy of Newton South High School's
Denebola newspaper staff):
Host and emcee Gregory Maguire (WICKED) and his daughter were there to cheer us on:
I spoke second, and here's my introduction and talk, again courtesy of the Newton South High School Denebola newspaper staff (my bit starts about halfway through):
What a marvelous event, encouraging and uplifting, and in such a beautiful venue—a must-see if you visit Boston. Thanks to the Associates, to Charlesbridge (my publisher) for donating books, and to all who attended.
Sunday, September 30, 2012, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Bates Reading Room, Central Library, Copley Square
The Associates of the Boston Public Library is pleased to invite you
to the fourteenth annual Literary Lights for Children tea party on
Sunday, September 30th in the beautiful Bates Reading Room of the Boston
Public Library. The 2012 honorees are:
"Literary Lights for Children" seeks to raise awareness of
children's literature, promote literacy, honor children's authors, and
raise money for the Boston Public Library's children's services and
collections. Students selected from Boston area schools introduce and
present the awards to each of the honored authors. The honorees then
discuss their writing careers and share their love of books with the
audience of over 400 children and adults. Tea refreshments are served.
to the Literary Lights Tea Party
Immediately following the tea party, there will be a book
signing session. Books will be available for sale, or children are
welcome to bring their own books.
The book sales & signing portion of the program is free and open to the public.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Associates Office at:
Associates of the Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Phone: 617-536-3886
Fax: 617-536-3813
Email:
[email protected]
I was honored to present the keynote at the Massachusetts Library Association's Teen Summit on Monday. I introduced myself as a survivor of life between cultures, and then invited the 100+ librarians in the audience to see themselves along the border as well. You won't get to see the powerpoint or hear my bad jokes, but here's the gist of my speech:
Librarians Between Cultures: A Call To Celebrate and Cultivate
What does it mean to be "between cultures"? You're ...
- Trapped on the margins between an old world and a fast-changing new one.
- Stifled by old world customs and overwhelmed by new world expectations.
- Worried we might be losing more than we’re gaining.
But you learn to fuse—to celebrate the best of the new world and cultivate the best of the old.
How can teen librarians
celebrate the best of the new world when it comes to
stories?
- teens still need and want stories—in songs, video games, movies, television, books, online
- teens expect and demand diversity in stories
- new technology engages a generation that thrives on connections
- facebook
- formspring
- vYou
- youtube
- skype
How can teen librarians
cultivate the best of the old world when it comes to
stories?
- books make better sense (all five, in fact)
- authors of books share collaborative power with readers
- the magic of the re-read
How can teen librarians
celebrate the best of the new world when it comes to
writing? Teens are ...
- finding a voice through new media
- building community and justice with words
- showcasing humor and storytelling via video
- contributing to collaborative fiction (www.figment.com)
How can teen librarians
cultivate the best of the old world when it comes to
writing?
- writers still need silence and solitude to create beautiful poetry and meaningful prose
- the depth and shared power of traditional-length books can change the world—and our lives
- the brain needs time to rest from multi-tasking,
In the film clip below, count the catches made by the white team. Then keep watching to see how our brains like to focus on one task at a time.
How can teen librarians
celebrate the best of the new world when it comes to
research?
- teens feel confident about finding information
- the internet is fast and user-friendly
- flattening of access to information
How can teen librarians
cultivate the best of the old world when it comes to
learning and thinking?
- serve as trusted curator in a chaotic world of information overload
- serve as champion of teens without digital access
What's the secret to a successful vocation between cultures?
Master “new world” innovations and language and stay fluent in “old world” customs and values to serve teens with the best of both worlds.
A couple of years ago I visited Haggerty School in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the invitation of librarian Karen Kosko and met Anisha (left). Like many communities around our country, Cambridge is debating the relative value of school librarians given tight budgets. With Anisha's permission, I'm delighted to share her thoughts on the matter (emphasis mine.)
My name is Anisha N. I am an eighth grader in the Cambridge Public Schools. Thank you for giving me a chance to speak. I am concerned about the proposal to cut librarian positions in schools. I understand budget cuts are not easy because they have affected me personally. But I still feel that we need to have librarians in the school system because of the tremendous teaching role they play in the community and in the education of children.
Our librarians certainly enriched our curriculum. I have been inspired by authors such as Lois Lowry and Susan Cooper, who were among many influential people invited to the library. I will never forget my experience with the “From the Top” radio show, or the visitors from Young Audiences or the Actor's Shakespeare Project or the Nobel Peace Prize winners. These new exposures were helpful for us as we matured and developed academically into well-rounded citizens.
My librarian knew me since I was in kindergarten and has worked with all my teachers since then, whether is was to help with plays, to lead our reading group, help with research, or make presentations in class for different parts of the curriculum. Our librarian has probably read every book in the library, and knows just what I would like better than even I do. She also pushes me to try things that she knows I would not have touched otherwise! She knows all the other kids in school as well, and their likes and dislikes. She is one of the few who has watched us grow over the years and truly understands us.
I know that instead of librarians we would have 'support staff ' who would get trained to give us more information and technology. But don’t you see? We have access to more than enough information, we really need someone who can sift through all of it and give us what is best for each individual. We also have completely capable technology specialists. So why spend resources to train someone to do something that already works well? I think that we need to replicate in all schools what is working so well in some of them.
My librarian is my teacher. You cannot replace her with information and technology. I am saddened to think that my younger brother and other students will not have the same wonderful experiences that have helped me become who I am today.
Massachusetts readers, writers, students, and parents, here's an important call for support from our friends at the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts Shool Library Association:
Massachusetts library supporters will gather at the State House at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 to rally against the impact of drastic funding reductions to the Commonwealth’s libraries.
The Governor’s proposed FY11 budget for the state library budget is a 37.2% cut from FY2009. Services that are threatened by budget cuts include:
- Regional Library Systems, which coordinate the delivery of millions of library books, CDs and DVDS to residents and school libraries of the Commonwealth, and provide electronic research materials integral to learning and scholarship.
- Access to technology that is used more now than ever as so many residents have lost jobs and cannot afford computer and Internet resources. Schools also rely heavily on the informational databases provided by MBLC.
- Literacy programs that empower immigrants through language instruction along with strong school and academic libraries that foster learning, support curriculum, and materials for a growing English as a Second Language population. Library sponsored Homework Centers for students of all ages and abilities. Story hours for toddlers and children, summer reading programs and educational programs for residents of all ages.
- The Commonwealth’s Talking Book Libraries are the “public” libraries for 22,000 active users who are legally blind, or physically unable to use printed books. The Talking Book Library in Worcester and the Perkins Talking Book and Machine Lending Agency are in the midst of a historic transition of talking books from cassette tape to the new digital talking books.
Use of our libraries is at an all time high, with public library borrowing of materials increasing for the 10th consecutive year in 2009, with more than 57 million items transported across the state through regional delivery services.
Please join us at the State House on March 9th to rally for the survival of libraries!
Krista McLeod and Jackie Rafferty, Co-Chairs MLA Legislative Committee
Judi Paradis and Sandy Kelly, MSLA Legislative and Advocacy Chairs
I'll be there in spirit, as I'm at a school visit in New Jersey Tuesday, so this is my virtual loud HOORAY for our wonderful Massachusetts libraries!
Librarians and booksellers weighed in on my call for great covers on books featuring protagonists of color. According to the experts, pictured below are several jackets popular with young readers in many different kinds of communities. If you sell or circulate books to teens, feel free to add titles in the comments.
BOOKS PICTURED BELOW:
LIAR by Justine Larbalestier
Looking for a children's tale in Farsi, or a picture book for that Mongolian neighbor across the street? Check out the International Children's Digital Library, a growing source of free multilingual children's literature.
I was getting irritated by the political squabbling that's commandeered most of my online groups, listservs, and forums. I've always relished the freedom to disagree as a sign of a healthy system. After all, as was recently noted by the moderator of child_lit:
...People need to accept and be prepared for forceful argument because children's texts are at the center of significant cultural debate about weighty matters, such as how we relate to our culture and how we define ourselves as human beings.
So why are these particular arguments bothering me so much? Maybe because they're defined by contempt. I feel like a child forced to dine with parents who despise each other and are doing their best to triangle me into their destructive relationship. It takes a lot of energy to sit still and say nothing, and leaping into the fray feels like a no-win solution.
In the children's literature world, we need clear guidelines for appropriate online practices when it comes to forums, listservs, blogs, social networks, and comments. Some venues are suitable for fiery freedom of expression (child_lit, for example); others aren't (yalsa-bk clarified a "no-politics rule," creating a new forum for librarians eager to discuss this election with each other):
Over the last several weeks, there has been considerable discussion and many questions raised about the constraints imposed by federal law on ALA as a nonprofit charitable organization. On the other hand, there has also been considerable interest in having a forum available where ALA members could freely discuss political topics and the current election in relation to library issues.
ALA, because of its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, is expressly and absolutely prohibited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code from engaging in "political speech." This means that ALA resources, including electronic discussion lists, blogs and wikis, cannot be used for "the support of, or opposition to, a candidate for public office". Political speech is different from "lobbying," which seeks to influence legislation or regulation (ALA continues to lobby aggressively for libraries within federal guidelines).
For more information about the IRS prohibition on political speech by 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations, as well as links to additional information, please see the Marginalia blog posting.
To this end, the ALA-APA Board has authorized the creation of an ALA-APA Forum discussion list to discuss mutual issues of interest to librarians and other library workers, including political issues and candidates. This list is open to ALA members and others. Subscribe to the APA Forum here.
Now that's clarity. So out here on the Fire Escape, let me make the rules clear: anything goes, but with respect. By all means express yourself, but leave your contempt inside.
I'm going on the road next week, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to sneak out to the Fire Escape too often, but I'll try, because I love it out here. Here's where I'll be:
Friday, April 11th - Saturday, April 12th: On Friday, I'll be at the New England Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Conference, enjoying dinner and a cabaret presentation by author/illustrator Anne Sibley O'Brien, author/illustrator David Hyde Costello, and Charlesbridge editor Yolanda Leroy called CONFESSIONS OF THE PROFESSION: A STARRED REVUE. I can't wait to see it! I'll also be presenting a workshop on Saturday April 12th from 10:05 -11:00 a.m. called "Pajama Promotion: Five Web-Savvy Ways to Generate Buzz About Your Books."
Wednesday, April 16th: I'll be presenting "Books Between Cultures" from 12-12:50 at the
Texas Library Association Convention, (Program CPE#356 in room D 171/173 sponsored by the Texas Association of School Librarians) followed by book signings on the exhibit floor, first at the Penguin booth #1701 from 2 – 3, and then at the Author Autographing Area with Charlesbridge from 3-4. Stop by and say hi.
Thursday, April 17th: I'll be celebrating
Operation Teen Book Drop at the Winchester Author Festival in Winchester, Massachusetts.
Friday, April 18th: If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can catch me on KGO's
View From The Bay from 3-4 p.m. PST (streaming online live
here), where I'll be chatting about growing up between cultures and how stories kept me balanced.
What's that? You want to be on television, too? Well, then, your mother should cold-call the station without telling you about it beforehand and leave a message bragging about her kid. Yep, that's how I got the gig. Thanks, Ma.
"If you don't promote this book,
my mother will cold-call you, too."
Know a librarian with the power to change the planet? Nominate her/him immediately to be a part of Library Journal's compilation of the top fifty innovators in the profession.
Ah, me. On the whole, the TLA convention was a blast, don't get me wrong, but watching (from my lonely author signing booth RIGHT NEXT DOOR) a long line of librarians waiting for Mo Willems was not so much fun. A score of sopranos squealed ecstatically when young Mr. Willems eventually appeared. Another one of Betsy Bird's Hot Men of Children's Literature, John Green, elicited a question during a YA author panel from a middle-aged woman who gushed embarrassingly about his cuteness. As E. Lockhart (Dramarama) commented when we commiserated over the young-guy-author-groupie-magnet factor, we are cute, too. Okay, she is cute, especially with that intricate Olde English tattoo fully encircling one buff upper arm.
I also got to chat with Kirby Larson of Hattie Big Sky fame (one of the three kind people in my author signing line), Cynthia Leitich Smith who wrote Tantalize (as generous with her Texas hug as she is with links and news on her famous blog), Esme Raji Codell (stylish, sweet, and smart in person and in print), and Copper Sun author Sharon Draper (who, on a hotel shuttle bus, passed on good advice about school visits and a lovely two-handed blessing she'd received years ago from Virginia Hamilton). The list goes on ... many other luminaries and celebrities were present, proving once again that Texas occupies a big, big place both in the country and in the world of children's literature.
Now I'm off to the 116th annual gathering of librarians in Connecticut, where author Joseph Bruchac is scheduled to provide the swoon factor.
Last Sunday's Boston Globe ran an article by YA author Lauren Mechling, "Come For The Xbox, Stay For The Books," about the changing relationship between libraries and young adults. If you build it, apparently, they will come, and they just might read, too.
Melissa Jenvey, a young adult specialist at the Donnell Library in midtown Manhattan told me that after redoing the teen section four years ago, circulation of young adult titles rose 400 percent. "We just needed to have the merchandise that they wanted," she says. "It's like how they put the milk in the back of the supermarket to get you to buy all the other stuff."
In my visits here and there, I've been impressed with several strikingly teen-friendly libraries, like the ones in
Reading, Massachusetts,
Pleasanton, California, and
Springfield, Massachusetts. But before spending huge amounts of time, money, and energy on an arcade-like decor, those communities pursued different priorities, like hiring librarians who love to chill with teens.
The American Library Association has just posted a list of (potentially) notable books for children published in 2006 that will be up for discussion during the upcoming ALA midwinter conference in Seattle January 19-24th: Notable Children's Books Discussion List - Midwinter 2007 (Excel file).
Authors of between-culture novels on the list include Grace Lin (The Year of the Dog), Jennie Lombard (Drita My Home Girl), Lenore Look (Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything), Mike Lupica (Heat), and Vandana Singh (Younguncle Comes To Town ).
The ALA will also provide a live webcast of the top children/teen literary awards announcements on January 22nd 8-9 a.m. PST. This includes the Newbery, Caldecott, Carnegie, King, Batchelder, Geisel, Sibert, and Wilder Awards.
This is an excellent post. My local libary does a great job of keeping thier finger on the pulse of our community and the ever changing digital world. Thanks for sharing.
I love this! I start library school in the fall and I'm excited to become a part of such an exciting field with so much to offer and so much to learn.