December 2008
18 posts
It's Too Cold on the Fire Escape →
Peace be with you all as (if) you celebrate this season, my chickadees. I’ll be back on the Fire Escape in 2009, which will be our fifth year of chatting about life and books between cultures. I’ll…
I'm Highly Shelf Aware This Week →
Jennifer Brown of Shelf Awareness reported today on my presentation at the YALSA symposium, and also interviewed me for her piece on Tweet Me That You Love Me: An Author-Indie…
Thanks For The Buzz →
I love my job. Media Coverage for Kids Heart Authors Day Publisher’s Weekly Shelf Awareness Betsy Bird’s SLJ Blog Booksellers Blog Cynsations Finding Wonderland Indyish
What Am I Doing? →
This thing is getting big. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong. When a reporter called to ask about it, I told her that in a time when bad news seems to be getting our industry down, I wanted to…
Back Off, Adult Gatekeepers? →
“Which assigned novels did you appreciate when you were in high school?” an aspiring teacher asked recently. “None,” I answered, after a long pause. I can’t remember any novel assigned or…
Six New Books Between Cultures →
Thanks to SLJ’s generous virtual presence, I glean their reviews to spot new books that might be appropriate to mention out on the Fire Escape. This month, I discovered six titles that feature…
In Which I Present the PEN Phyllis Naylor Award →
I was so nervous presenting the PEN Phyllis Naylor Working Writer’s Fellowship at the Walter Reade Theater in New York City, I had no idea what I said when I stepped away from the…
American Identity in Children's Literature... →
If you’re in the Chicago area, please head over to the American Identity in Children’s Literature Symposium on Saturday, December 13, from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm, and take good notes so you can tell the…
The Great V-Day 2009 Indie-Author Love Fest →
I’ve been discovering some hard truths about our industry lately, and realizing afresh how much we need the passion, handselling, creativity, and championship provided by our country’s…
Chilling with Lois and Jack at Harvard →
a nervous-making sign welcomed us to the event
Up first: Lois Lowry (THE WILLOUGHBYS)
Lowry Fun Facts: Took the photos for many of her book covers • Attended…
Give a Goat For A Change →
One of my all-time favorite Christmas presents from my husband and sons was a goat. Actually, I got a card with a photo of girl cuddling a baby goat, and the real creature was sent to a…
My Freaky Harvard Gig →
Remember that Sesame Street jingle: Some of these things belong together, one of these things just isn’t the same? Thanks to Lolly Robinson, designer and production manager of The…
White Readers Meet Black Authors →
Check out the blog, and visit The Brown Bookshelf to find some great children’s books. hat tip: cynthia leitich smith, who else?
Come visit me on the Fire Escape!
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Writing as Revenge →
hat tip: writer unboxed
Come visit me on the Fire Escape!
Here's To The Writing Life! →
This career requires nerves of steel. Countless disappointments and the agonies of waiting have driven many a writer to drink. Or to Cadbury chocolate. Basically, choose your favorite…
War and Peace in Children's Books →
Here’s a terrifying phrase to turn into an oxymoron: children of war. Even Hollywood’s jumping on the bandwagon, with hit shows like HEROES and 24 capitalizing on a growing moral outrage over human…
rgz news: Meg Cabot and readertotz! →
My fun year of serving as a readergirlz diva is coming to a close, and I’m delighted to step into my trendy new role as rgz talent scout. I’ll be on the hunt for hot new titles, so send…