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
healing
Q&A With Ashley Herring Blake, Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea
By Alaina Leary Today we’re pleased to welcome Ashley Herring Blake to the WNDB blog to discuss her MG novel Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea, out May 25, 2021! Hazel Bly used to live in the perfect house with the perfect family in sunny California. But when a kayaking trip goes horribly wrong, … [Read more...] about Q&A With Ashley Herring Blake, Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea
Why Fiction for Younger Readers Needs to Talk About Suicide
Content warning: Graphic mentions of suicide/self-harm and discussions of mental health, bullying, racism, and suicidal ideation By Rukhsana Khan When I was eleven, I nearly committed suicide. I’d said something so silly during sex ed. class, I thought my life was over. I remember it … [Read more...] about Why Fiction for Younger Readers Needs to Talk About Suicide