Podcast appearances and mentions of Chris Crutcher

While we're off this week, we're encouraging everyone to listen to our Stop Book Banning episode, rereleased with new content! This week, we're talking to Maggie Tokuda-Hall, one of the founders of Authors Against Book Bans about the growth of book bans around the country in 2024. Book bans in United States schools and libraries are at their highest since the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom started collecting data, happening around the country, in every state, and disproportionately affecting books by and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people. What's more, challenges are likely underreported, because librarians who are resisting them are facing unprecedented workplace retribution and in some cases physical danger.Book Bans are on the ballot this year in every state and local election, up and down the ticket. State legislatures, local town councils, county leadership and school boards are being overrun with candidates supported by conservative activists looking to limit access to books and ideas that offer identity, empathy, awareness, and power to young people around the country. We're concerned, so today, we're releasing a special episode of Fated Mates focused on book bans across the country. We interview three experts on what's happening, who is most impacted, and how we can all help. Show notes are extensive, and we hope you'll take a look at them. The GuestsMaggie Tokuda-Hall, author, activist, podcaster and founding member of Authors Against Book BansJarett Dapier, librarian, activist and author of Mr. Watson's Chickens. Jarrett is offering his complete stage adaption of Chris Crutcher's YA novel "The Sledding Hill" to the Office for Intellectual Freedom in support of Banned Books Week as a free download to read. Schools and communities interested in performing the play can do so with a $75 donation to the ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom. Lily Freeman, activist and student in Central Bucks County, PA. Read Lily's op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer and follow her instagram at ProjectUncensored. Congratulations, Lily, on your graduation!Melissa Walker, political activist at The States Project, journalist, and Middle Grade and YA author of Violet on the Runway, Let's Pretend We Never Met, Small Town Sinners and more. The ResourcesAuthors Against Book Bans, the author and creator wing of the fight for the freedom to readThe Youth Censorship Database at the National Coalition Against CensorshipBook Riot's censorship coverage is excellent and updated almost daily. They have an excellent explainer for

Author Chris Crutcher is the author of more than a dozen novels and two short story collections. His work features teen protagonists coping with serious problems, including poverty, abuse, and prejudice. Chris's books have been informed by his work as a teacher, director of an alternative school, child and family therapist and child protection advocate. All of his books and stories have been challenged or banned at some point during his forty-year career. As a result, Chris has earned two lifetime achievement intellectual freedom awards.

Chris Crutcher's first novel, Running Loose, was published in 1983, and by 1984 made USA Today's top ten banned books list, along with nine other long-celebrated novels. He is proud to report that nearly all of his subsequent works have been censored and/or banned somewhere in the great U.S. of A, and that those challenges have earned him two lifetime achievement Intellectual Freedom Awards, one from the National Council of Teachers of English and the other from the National Coalition Against Censorship. Crutcher first came face to face with his professional destiny and the vibrant, often courageous community that would provide inspiration for his fictional work as a teacher, then director, of a racially-diverse K-12 alternative school in Oakland, California. That and his subsequent twenty-odd years as both a therapist specializing in child abuse and neglect and chairperson for his region's Child Protection Team have informed his thirteen novels and two collections of short stories. In the midst of all that heartbreak and unforgiveable neglect and violence, he says, "new heroes arose" — compelling Crutcher to fashion his stories around them. Interviewer Stacey Horan left her career as a corporate lawyer to become an award-winning author of young adult novels. Her works include Sycamore Lane, Inland, and The Elixir Vitae Adventures (a five-book series). She also hosts a podcast called The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, which is dedicated to helping book lovers discover new authors. Visit her website at www.staceyhoran.com or find her on social media at @staceyleehoran. Sign Up for Library U to hear about the latest Lit Chats and catch them live! — https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/library-u-enrollment  Chris Crutcher Borrow Chris' books from our collection: https://jkpl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=AUTHOR%3D%22chris+crutcher%22&te= Website: http://www.chriscrutcher.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/chriscrutcher Stacy Horan Website: www.staceyhoran.com Twitter: @staceyleehoran Jacksonville Public Library Website: jaxpubliclibrary.org Twitter: twitter.com/jaxlibrary Facebook: facebook.com/JaxLibrary Instagram: instagram.com/jaxlibrary YouTube: youtube.com/user/jaxpubliclibraryfl Contact Us: jplpromotions (at) coj.net

Welcome to Episode 50! Thanks for joining us for a milestone episode. We are celebrating our big 5-0 by bringing on our very first guest, Risha Allen, who is something of an expert in banned books. When we dreamed up the list of possible show topics for 16:1 several years ago, banned books was one of the first things we discussed, and we are happy that we saved it for this special guest! If you don't know Risha Allen, you can find her on Instagram at @rishaallen and as Tiktok's Music Teacher at @rishdishfish. Risha is a National Board Certified educator who is spending her 15th year of teaching doing something she's never done before: teaching music! Prior to teaching music at the elementary level, Risha developed her mastery teaching high school English in three different states (Kentucky, Ohio, and North Dakota). Her relationship to banned books? Well... it involves young adult literature, a bit of witchcraft, and a LOT of committees. Listen to find out why Risha is southeastern Kentucky's most notorious leader of literature circles! Join Katie and Chelsea as they get to hear Risha's never-before-told story of censorship, the power of social media, and the lasting gifts of falling in love with reading.Content note: discussions of sexual assault and other adult content are included in this episode.Authors Mentioned:Laurie Halse AndersonChris CrutcherJo KnowlesIrving RothSheri ReynoldsNikki Giovanni Sources:Banned Books WeekAmerican Library Association - List of America's Libraries 2021 Special Report: Covid - 19NBC News - "Book bans in schools are catching fire. Black authors say uproar isn't about students." by Tat Bellamy-WalkerPEN America - The Freedom to Write20 Thousand Hertz - Aural ExamThe Book Loft - "Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady" by Susan QuinnReading Partners - "The little-known history of banned books in the United States" By Ally BushThe New York Times - "Where Are the Hardest Places to Live in the U.S.?" by Alan FlippenTiktok - @mndiaye_97

From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love. And who better to talk about this book with than Chris Crutcher?!? Order your copy of "Pax, Journey Home" from Wishing Tree Books!

Chris Crutcher’s years as a teacher, then director, of a K-12 alternative school in Oakland, California through the nineteen-seventies, and his subsequent twenty-odd years as a therapist specializing in child abuse and neglect, inform his thirteen novels and two collections of short stories. Chris has received a number of coveted awards, from his high school designation as “Most Likely to Plagiarize” to the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award. His favorites are his two Intellectual Freedom awards, one from the National Council for Teachers of English and the other from the National Coalition Against Censorship. Five of Crutcher’s books appeared on an American Library Association list of the 100 Best Books for Teens of the Twentieth Century (1999 to 2000).Chris is interviewed by Stephenie Eriksson, a National Board Certified Teacher, a teacher-consultant with the Ohio Writing Project, and a past-president of the Ohio Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts. For over 22 years, Stephenie has taught readers and writers in Blanchester, Ohio. She started her career teaching seventh and eighth grade and currently teaches sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Chris Crutcher’s years as a teacher, then director, of a K-12 alternative school in Oakland, California through the nineteen-seventies, and his subsequent twenty-odd years as a therapist specializing in child abuse and neglect, inform his thirteen novels and two collections of short stories. Chris has received a number of coveted awards, from his high school designation as “Most Likely to Plagiarize” to the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award. His favorites are his two Intellectual Freedom awards, one from the National Council for Teachers of English and the other from the National Coalition Against Censorship. Five of Crutcher’s books appeared on an American Library Association list of the 100 Best Books for Teens of the Twentieth Century (1999 to 2000). Chris is interviewed by Stephenie Eriksson, a National Board Certified Teacher, a teacher-consultant with the Ohio Writing Project, and a past-president of the Ohio Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts. For over 22 years, Stephenie has taught readers and writers in Blanchester, Ohio. She started her career teaching seventh and eighth grade and currently teaches sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The world is at the same time both together and necessarily apart. We’re all going through the same pandemic, and most of us are practicing “social distancing.” How does that affect us? Some believe it can be a time for growth, and that’s the subject of episode 56. Our guest is author and family therapist Chris Crutcher, and this is a conversation you and your family won’t want to miss. About the guest - Chris Crutcher is a native of Cascade, Idaho. He spent the 1970s as a teacher, then as director of a K-12 alternative school in Oakland, California. The following 20+ years he was a therapist specializing in child abuse and neglect. Those years largely inform his thirteen novels and two collections of short stories. He has also written what he calls an ill-advised autobiography titled King of the Mild Frontier, which was designated by Publisher’s Weekly as “the YA book most adults would have read if they knew it existed.” Chris was awarded the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as two Intellectual Freedom awards, one from the National Council for Teachers of English and the other from the National Coalition Against Censorship.  Five of his books appeared on an American Library Association list of the 100 Best Books for Teens of the Twentieth Century (1999 to 2000). You can support the podcast and receive subscriber-only benefits at www.patreon.com/mindmatters. The Mind Matters podcast is available on Facebook and Instagram at Mind Matters Podcast, and on Twitter @MindMattersPod. For more information go to www.MindMattersPodcast.com. Thank you for caring about kids. Copyright © 2019 Morris Creative Services LLC. All rights reserved.

Amanda and Jenn discuss books about life after divorce, YA read-alouds, queer science fiction, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Novel Gazing, Book Riot’s new literary fiction podcast, Workman Publishing, publisher of Let’s Be Weird Together: A Book About Love, by Brooke Barker and Boaz Frankel, and Libro.fm. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. FEEDBACK The Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab (rec’d by Courtney) A Madness of Angels: The Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin (pen name of Catherine Webb) (rec’d by Danielle) QUESTIONS 1.  Hello my bookish friends from afar who nurture my love for bookish awesomeness. I have an urgent request for something in the literary realm that can let my mind escape the f-ed up craziness I’m currently undergoing with my soon-to-be ex who dropped a big ol’ bomb on me and told me he’s leaving me. I’m in all sorts of personal crisis at the moment and I’d love something to read at night after I tuck my two little girls into bed and have the psychic space to escape the insanity of my situation and dive into another world for a while. I know you typically only do one type of rec per request but I’m asking for two. Here goes: 1) a kick-ass female protagonist who lives from the land, or in a world where a multitude of place-based knowledge and skills serves her well; yet, without enduring rape and all the other crap that tends to be tossed upon this kind of character in literature. I’ve loved living off the land books since I was a kid: e.g., the Little House series, Scott O’Dell’s The Island of the Blue Dolphins, and the entire Jean M. Auel’s Earth’s Children series. I’d love a new-to-me book or, even better, series that can have me rooting for some incredible women. Pie in the sky wish: that there would be a novel or series featuring something like this set on Themyscira featuring Diana and her amazon community. 2) another fabulous female protagonist who gets knocked off her feet by a jerk of a husband who ambushes her with a sudden and unexpected demand for a divorce and all kinds of f-uppery, who then rises up like a phoenix from the devastating flames (I had to say it) in fantastic style and overcomes the many obstacles in her way, eventually sliding into first as she wins the race to financial freedom, independence, and peace within. Bonus if she eventually meets a goddess of a lover who nurtures her tender heart and soul (this protagonist is bi and is kind of over men and their – generalizing here – serious power issues). Always the most bookish love to you both. Thanks in advance if you can help out. And thank you for your super rad, killer, lovely, awesome and amazing podcast made even more wonderful because I love getting to know you both via your feedback and choices of words and the stories you share. It all rocks and what you are creating and sharing is really, really great. -Nicole 2. Hi! I’m a teacher at a rural school and I’m trying to diversify my curriculum. I teach special education and I co-teach in the general education as well at the high school level. I’ve been working on this goal for the last year or so, but I can always use some recommendations to help me along. I usually read books aloud in my specifically SPED classes, and they have enjoyed books like “Boy21” by Matthew Quick, “The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, “Love & First Sight” by Josh Sundquist, and a smattering of short stories from “My True Love Gave to Me” and “Grim” anthologies that I have pulled from in the last couple of years (thanks to Book Riot). Right now, I’m reading them “Whale Talk” by Chris Crutcher, a personal favorite, and my kids are really enjoying that one as well. As you can tell, the reading level varies. Because I read the information aloud to my students, I can get away with some of the higher-leveled books or stories because we spend so much time in discussion. I’d love to see what you have in store for us! -Taylor 3. Hi! I need some help finding good introductions on books about feminism, institutional racism, slavery and honestly, any other social topics to help break through to some of my MAGA family members. I was a little overwhelmed when I walked into the bookstore, so hopefully you guys can help parse down titles to start with. Some shorter titles would probably be best, and non-fiction titles would be great too! Thanks so much for everything, my reading list is much more diverse partly because of this podcast! I appreciate it so much. -Ashle 4. No deadline, but I would love a recommendation soon. I was recently hit with the news that my partner of ten years wants a divorce. I usually go to novels for solace, but my two favorites are Dpt. of Speculation and I Married You for Happiness, and I don’t think they will help right now. I’ve found plenty of self help books, but I’m looking for good stories of people starting over after a divorce or loss, and moving forward with life. Especially if those stories involve people who can’t afford to drop everything and “eat, pray, love” around the world. Thank you, Amanda and Jenn-you’ve recommended so many perfect books in the past, I hope you can help. -KJ 5. Hi ladies, I’m a podcast/audiobook addict. So, naturally, when I’m at work, I’m either listening to Book Riot podcasts, or a book. After hearing Every Heart A Doorway recommended a million times (maybe a slight exaggeration, but probably not much of one…) I FINALLY listened to it and fell in love with Seanan McGuire. I have listened to all of the Every Heart a Doorway series, as well as Sparrow Hill Road and loved them all. Do you have any recommendations for similar authors? I love that her books feel like a fairy tale, while still using familiar language (unlike high fantasy where the language is often unfamiliar). I also appreciated how inclusive the Every Heart a Doorway series is. Thank you so much for all the workday entertainment! -Traci 6. I recently saw the new Star Wars and was unimpressed (to put it mildly) with its idea of queer representation. Could you recommend a fun space opera adventure with actual substantial queer rep as well as POC? I’m already rereading Becky Chambers’ series so I need something new. I’d be open to a romance novel, but nothing too steamy. -Emily 7. This is probably a long shot. I used to be an avid reader, then I had my son who is now 15 months old. I am able to listen to books on audio at work, which has been awesome for getting me back into reading. I’ve been trying to find a book with a specific set of criteria. I really want to find a book with a character that I can really relate to, but in the fantasy genre. I’m 25, so not necessarily YA, but YA is fine, I would love the book to have a protagonist that is a young Mom, with a young child. Where I’m having trouble is finding books that are fantasy, that have this request. I’m really hoping you can help me. I love the Podcast! Thanks -Morgan BOOKS DISCUSSED Untamed by Glennon Doyle Melton (March 10, 2020) Two Old Women by Velma Wallis Warcross by Marie Lu Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett (tw: STI stigma, confusion around sexuality) For the Love of Men by Liz Plank Thou Shalt Not be a Jerk by Eugene Cho (March 1, 2020) Citizen by Claudia Rankine God Land by Elizabeth Lenz Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri (tw: family violence) Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge by Paul Kreuger (tw: animal death) The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders (tw: violence, tentacle stuff) Circe by Madeline Miller (tw sexual assault) The Reluctant Queen (Queens of Renthia #2) by Sarah Beth Durst Parenting In SFF Post

Moby navigates water and religion and abortion and all kinds of difficult topics that are way worse than the language for which it was challenged.

Award winning author Chris Crutcher talks with Claire Graham about his new book, "Loser Bracket"

Award-winning author Chris Crutcher speaks with columnist Sean Vestal on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. Crutcher earned his education locally at Eastern Washington University and has written 15 books.

Award-winning author Chris Crutcher speaks with columnist Sean Vestal on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. Crutcher earned his education locally at Eastern Washington University and has written 15 books.

The short story, “A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune”, and the film which it inspired have had a staying power which has often surprised the artists behind the works. In this episode, author Chris Crutcher discusses his inspiration for the character, censorship, and the impact the AIDS epidemic had on his writing. Actor Charlie Talbert, who played Angus in the movie, joins the show to talk about being a teenage newbie in Hollywood, pranking James Van Der Beek, and the recent work he has been doing in New Orleans.

This amazing young adult novel comes out April 2018.

Announcements Free 4 Quick & Easy Video Marketing Lessons for Writers You’re not making book trailers yet? Really? Seriously? You know I'm an insane, video-crazed freak, right? But do you know why? Book trailers have literally changed my career as a writer. They’ve made me successful, gotten me attention for my books, earned me income, and I absolutely can’t stand it that you might not be doing them. I’m going to make this ridiculously easy for you. Unless you’re cray cray crazy, you’re going to sign up for this free mini-course and learn how you can create and use video to help you sell books and build your platform. Click here to get on the dedicated list of people who will get the info when it starts. You’ll receive an emailed mini-lesson for four consecutive days. But because I don’t want to bug people who don’t want to know how to get more books into more hands, you do need to sign up for it, even if you’re already on my mailing list. This Week's Review This week’s contributor is Heather Preusser, with a review of a debut middle grade novel from Esther Ehrlich and a tip from Chris Crutcher. This week’s guest is Robin Preiss Glasser, illustrator of Fancy Nancy written by Jane O'Connor. Robin has also worked as an illustrator for Judith Viorst, Garrison Keillor, Lynne Cheney and Sarah Ferguson.   Robin and I talk about Who was the inspiration for Fancy Nancy. Her number video rule. How she transforms author art notes in to finish illustrations. Note to my podcast listeners: When I was listening to Fresh Air on NPR I thought, "Hey! I could do that, but with children's publishing as my focus!" That's how Brain Burps About Books got started. Writing is so solitary. I thought it would be a great way to get to talk to my friends and make new ones, plus I could help others learn. Maybe I'd learn some stuff myself, too. I've had the privilege of talking to the first three National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature, to librarians and New York Time's bestselling authors. I've interviewed to booksellers and publishers, writers, illustrators, app creators, and app distributors, and more! There is always something new on the horizon to learn and to share. So many listeners have asked how to support the show, and actually, now you can. I've installed a donate button to help defray the costs of producing the show. What do you learn or get out of Brain Burps every week? If it's worth donating a dollar, two dollars, five, or whatever you think the show is worth to you, it would help enormously. The show costs $20 a month to keep on the server, and that's only if there are four shorter episodes in a month. That number doesn't include other costs like my time to research and record, post, edit the intros and outros, web hosting, and equipment and software to do all this. I ended up loving podcasting. I love my listeners. My "Burpers!" This is my gig, I know. and like I said, it's an incredible experience for me. But if you've you've been helped, or just love it too, and you're able, here's your opportunity to help defray the costs. No matter what, thank you for being a Burper!  

Tune in to hear the about the ideas behind Crutcher's newest book, Period 8; his thoughts on writing in honest language for teenagers; and what readers have told him about the impact of his stories.

Kylene Beers and Robert Probst talk with author Chris Crutcher about how he begins writing a book. Visit Heinemann.com for K-College professional development books and services, teaching systems, and innovative multimedia tools for educators.