Things We Couldn't Say is out now. By Jay Coles Once upon a time, my high school guidance counselor told me that my voice was my power. I admit, I had no idea what that really meant then—and I didn’t know what it meant when I started writing my debut, either. That was something that had to be … [Read more...] about Writing YA as Freedom
Personal Essay
How To Win A Slime War Is the Book Mae Respicio Has Wanted Since Childhood
How to Win A Slime War by Mae Respicio comes out September 14, 2021. We revealed the cover for the book here. by Mae Respicio It’s here! I’m thrilled to share my newest middle grade novel, HOW TO WIN A SLIME WAR. This one’s all about a creative, empathetic boy who finds his voice with the help … [Read more...] about How To Win A Slime War Is the Book Mae Respicio Has Wanted Since Childhood
How Adults Can Discuss 9/11 With Young People
Yusuf Azeem Is Not A Hero by Saadia Faruqi is on sale now. By Saadia Faruqi As the twentieth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11 approaches, many of us—parents, caregivers, teachers—are wondering how to broach the subject with young people who weren’t alive during the … [Read more...] about How Adults Can Discuss 9/11 With Young People
How Picture Books Can Normalize Anxiety and Make Kids Feel Understood
By Manka Kasha Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster by Manka Kasha is on sale now. I was an extremely anxious child. Saying “hello” or “thank you” to adults, phone calls, interacting with other kids—all these day-to-day activities were my personal hell (and, who am I kidding, in many ways they … [Read more...] about How Picture Books Can Normalize Anxiety and Make Kids Feel Understood
Suni Lee’s Olympics Win Is More Than That for Hmong People
The next four books in the Astrid & Apollo series are on sale now. By V.T. Bidania It was early morning when the notification appeared on my phone: US gymnast Suni Lee wins gold in the women’s all-around. For a split second, I wasn’t sure I had read it correctly. I looked again, and I … [Read more...] about Suni Lee’s Olympics Win Is More Than That for Hmong People
Burn It Down: On World Building a Defiant Queer Response to Hogwarts
It Ends in Fire by Andrew Shvarts is on sale now. By Andrew Shvarts As soon as I decided to write about a magic school, I knew the book would have to be about burning it down. Write long enough, and you begin to notice your recurring obsessions, the themes, and the images you come back to … [Read more...] about Burn It Down: On World Building a Defiant Queer Response to Hogwarts
What Connects Us as Humans: The Power of Our Stories
Bella's Recipe for Success by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Geraldine Rodríguez, is on sale on July 13, 2021. 30,000 Stitches by Amanda Davis, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, is on sale now. By Ana Siqueira and Amanda Davis What does it feel like to walk in another person’s shoes? To get … [Read more...] about What Connects Us as Humans: The Power of Our Stories
Finding Yourself Through Dance
Dancing in Thatha's Footsteps by Srividhya Venkat, illustrated by Kavita Ramchandran, is on sale now. By Srividhya Venkat Dance can be different things to different people. You may like to just shake a leg, or engage in ballet, ballroom, bhangra, Bollywood, or even bharatanatyam (an Indian … [Read more...] about Finding Yourself Through Dance
Centering Queer Families in Young Adult Literature
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron is on sale on June 29, 2021. By Kalynn Bayron Relationships with family and friends are at the heart of young adult novels. Whether it’s contemporary or historical, fantasy, or sci-fi, it is always about the human connections. YA fiction is such a good place … [Read more...] about Centering Queer Families in Young Adult Literature
