Podcast appearances and mentions of Christopher Paul Curtis

We talk to Newbery Award winning writer Christopher Paul Curtis about where "The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963" came from and why he finally quit his day job. Kitty Felde is host.

Netz, Dinawww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Netz, Dinawww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Netz, Dinawww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Netz, Dinawww.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

Hello. Welcome to Inviting Calm. Prior to yesterday, temperatures were warming up, however, today's temps are on the freezing side. Daylight hours are getting longer and birds are singing and migrating back. So, I've been thinking about spring. This idea of new birth and life. Transformation. Flowers bud and bloom along with trees enveloped in a cacophony of naturesounds and sights. Christopher Paul Curtis said- “A bud is a flower-to-be. A flower in waiting. Waiting for just the right warmth and care to open up. It's a little fist of love waiting to unfold and be seen by the world. And that's you.” I invite you to join me in this guided visualization as we open ourselves up like that of a bud.

**Who You will Hear**Guest: Scott Hoffman (CEO of International Literary Properties)Co-host: Luna Tang (Cloud Service Delivery Manager at Klopotek)Co-host: Dwayne Parris (Senior Consultant at Klopotek) Purchasing rights of music works as a means of investment – as Michael Jackson did to the majority of the Beatles' catalog, is not a novel concept in the music publishing industry, yet in the book publishing world where people are reluctant to part with their copyrights, this concept still remains fresh and rarely-touched. Scott Hoffman and his team at ILP (International Literary Properties) not only think about it, but they also act on it. He tells us in the conversation how ILP was founded, how it works in partnership with various parties (publishers, authors, and literary agents), and how it has established its position in the value-added chain. With extensive real cases, he explains to us the ways that ILP makes long-term investments in literary estates (especially on backlists) and how they maximize the value of these time-honored works, as well as how these practices make ILP a meaningful complement to the value-added chain in rights management.For more information about ILP, the authors, and the great works it represents, please visit internationalliteraryproperties.com. Tell us what is going on with your publishing projects or business on Twitter (@Klopotek_AG), LinkedIn, or email us at podcast@klopotek.com.  For more information about the Klopotek software solution, please write to info@klopotek.com, or register to receive emails from us on technology innovations & events from Klopotek.* The views, information, or opinions expressed in the program are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Klopotek and its employees. It is the goal of Klopotek Publishing Radio to support cultural diversity, the exchange of opinions, and to create an environment where the conversation of a global publishing industry can thrive.

Hi, Should-Heads! We're so excited to be talking with Debbie Rigaud, one of our new favorite authors! Her most recent book is Simone Breaks All the Rules, but we delve into her backlist (including a royal rom-com), what it's like to work with Alyssa Milano and so much more.  Check out the gorgeous cover for her upcoming release, A Girl's Guide to Love and Magic (out next summer): https://twitter.com/diversebooks/status/1437053729505792001/photo/1 Preorder it here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-girls-guide-to-love-magic-debbie-rigaud/1140075293?ean=9781338681741  Other books discussed:Your Life Has Been Delayed (Michelle I. Mason), Frankie & Bug (Gayle Forman), I'm So Effing Tired (Amy Shah), For Black Girls Like Me (Mariama J. Lockington), Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry (Joya Goffney) and the collected works of Paula Chase, Kristina Forest and Christopher Paul Curtis.  Follow Debbie Rigaud:  Instagram: @froandabow Twitter: @debbierigaud Website: https://www.debbierigaud.com/   Follow What You Should Read:Twitter:             @wysr_podcastInstagram:             @wysr_podcastGoodreads:             https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/115539912-what-you-should-read-podcastYouTube:             https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfNtid_b0R14otSPRZTkmQwww.whatyoushouldread.com Get two books for the price of one with a new membership to Libro.fm! Use the promo code WHATYOUSHOULDREAD and get two books for $14.99. Best of all, your indie bookstore will also benefit; just select your favorite bookstore when you sign up.  

On Episode 162, Alli and her guest have a thoughtful conversation about Christopher Paul Curtis's Newbery Medal-winning novel, Bud, Not Buddy. They talk about the nuances of race and class in the book, the way the main character walks the perfect line between wisdom and innocence, the author's writing process, and Bud, Not Buddy's approach to teaching young readers about history. You won't want to miss this fantastic discussion!Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the author of Ace of Spades. Follow her on Instagram (@faridahlikestea) and Twitter (@faridahlikestea).

Six months ago, Andrew Cuomo was on top of the world. He was touted as the anti-Donald Trump — the calm, fact-driven coronavirus leader the country needed. Now, amid allegations of hiding the true number of Covid-19 deaths in New York nursing homes and of workplace sexual harassment and abusive behavior, most of the state’s major Democratic politicians are calling for Cuomo’s resignation.Rebecca Traister is a writer at large at New York magazine and the author of “Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.” Last week, Traister published an extraordinary piece on the allegations against Cuomo. For her, the Andrew Cuomo story is a lot bigger than just Andrew Cuomo; it’s about the nature of toxic workplaces and the desire — even among Democrats — for strongmen leaders. And more than that, it’s about what we’ve been taught leadership looks like, and how the aesthetic of the tough, domineering male leader covers up, or contributes to, poor leadership.So I wanted to bring Traister on the show to discuss the details of the Cuomo story and its broader implications. We discuss what Cuomo has actually been accused of (including Traister’s own in-depth reporting), why we often mistake bullying for leadership, what blind spots the Cuomo story reveals among liberals, the trade-offs between projecting an aesthetic of power and actually governing, why white male rage is so accepted and even admired, the parallels between Cuomo and Trump, how this story recasts reporting on Hillary Clinton and Amy Klobuchar, the double bind faced by female politicians, and much more.References: "Abuse and Power" by Rebecca Traister, New York magazine Recommendations: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline WoodsonMy Ántonia by Willa Cather Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren Unbought and Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm The Elephant and the Bad Baby by Elfrida Vipont The Church Mouse by Graham Oakley  Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson The Complete 8-Book Ramona Collection by Beverly Cleary When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis  Thoughts? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.“The Ezra Klein Show” is produced by Roge Karma and Jeff Geld; fact-checking by Michelle Harris; original music by Isaac Jones; mixing by Jeff Geld.

Christopher Paul Curtis was born and raised in Flint, Michigan which has been used as a prominent setting in several stories including The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 and Bucking the Sarge. Christopher is also the author of the Newbery Honor book Elijah of Buxton. In the book, Eleven-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Ontario, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. He’s best known in his hometown as the boy who made a memorable impression on Frederick Douglass. But things change when a former slave steals money from Elijah’s friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South

This week we read Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. We talk about Bud's greatness as the main character, the lack of closure on Bugs, the portrayal of the Great Depression in children's literature, and how shameful it is that this is our first book by a Black author. Content Warnings: Dead parents, abandoned children, bad foster homes/families, the Great Depression, racism, sunset towns, police violence, child hunger, and child abuse (physical and mental). Our Links Website: https://werethekidsalright.wixsite.com/podcast Twitter: @wtka_podcast Instagram: wtka_podcast Music Intro: I Wear Headphones by Silent Partner Outro: Good Vibes by MBB

A conversation about writing with Newbery Award winning author Christopher Paul Curtis about "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963," writing in libraries and donut shops, and creating a soundtrack for writing.  www.bookclubforkids.org

It has been twenty five years since Christopher Paul Curtis first earned a Newbery Honor as well as an Honor from the Coretta Scott King Book Awards for The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, his critically acclaimed debut novel which was subsequently adapted for a Hallmark TV movie. In 2000, he became the first African American man to win the Newbery Medal for his 1999 novel Bud, Not Buddy, which also received the Coretta Scott King Award. His books Bucking the Sarge (2004), Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money (2005), Mr. Chickee’s Messy Mission (2007), Elijah of Buxton (2007) which also received a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award, The Mighty Miss Malone (2012), The Madman of Piney Woods (2014), and The Journey of Little Charlie (2018) which was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. His books regularly appear on lists of the best children’s books of the year, and in 2013, The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963 was named one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Great Children’s Books of the Last 100 Years. Born in Flint, Michigan, Mr. Curtis has resided in Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, where in his free time, he enjoys reading, playing basketball, and collecting music.https://nobodybutcurtis.com/

"The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963” touches on a tragic moment in American history: the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. But it’s really a family story about a road trip. Readers from Two Rivers Public Charter School in Washington, DC discuss the novel with host Kitty Felde. On the 25th anniversary of the book's publication, writer Christopher Paul Curtis tells us the first title of the book. Our celebrity reader is actor Quinn Marchman. Free curriculum at the website www.bookclubforkids.org

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Stephen Ivey. We discuss the history of racism in the US and how we can begin to teach our kids about that history. We also explore the importance of the black church and the role the church has played in communities. Resources Mentioned: // "The Color of Compromise" by Jemar Tisby // Dr. Anthony Bradley // "Reading While Black" by Esau McCaulley // "A Chair for My Mother" by Vera B. Williams // "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Author Christopher Paul Curtis talks #TheWatsonsGotoBirmingham with host Cyrus Webb on #ConversationsLIVE, and what it's like to see how the book has impacted readers around the world. 

In this episode, author Christopher Paul Curtis takes us behind the scenes of his debut novel, THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963. The Newbery Honor-winning book turns 25 this year.This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book A TEACHER'S GUIDE TO READING CONFERENCES by Jennifer Serravallo.

Christopher Paul Curtis shares THE WATSON GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Christopher Paul Curtis is the author of many widely-loved and critically-acclaimed books including BUD, NOT BUDDY (Newbery winner and the Coretta Scott King winner), THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 (Newbery honor and Coretta Scott King honor), and ELIJAH OF BUXTON (Newbery honor and Coretta Scott King winner). THE WATSON GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 was Christopher’s debut middle grade novel. Christopher and I hopped on the phone to talk about his time working at the automobile factory in Flint, MI, his choice to write an adult story narrated by a 10-year-old, and the real life experiences that made their way into the book. Plus, if you have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Christopher Paul Curtis, I think you’re going to feel immediately at home and in good company with Christopher. I personally didn’t want this conversation to end.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog.   Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner   Thank you to this week's sponsors: TeachingBooks.net Professor Bookworm (offer code CHILDRENS20) Libro.fm (offer code WINNER) Consider starting a 3-, 6-, or 12-month Libro.fm membership And to the generous support from our Patrons.

Sistah Girls, I got the chance to talk to Christopher Paul Curtis, author of the classic novel, The Watsons Go to Birmingham–1963. The novel is celebrating 25 years, Curtis and I spoke about his writing journey, he gave some gems to new writers, and we talked about what it means to have a book that centers a black boy and his family in publication for 25 years.

An episode about how to begin a story, with guest authors Karen Bass, Kate Inglis, and Chris Jones. Featuring an original story, great first lines from classic fiction, and suggested writing exercises. PG. A full transcript is available at CabinTales.ca. Show Notes [0:00] Intro [1:15] Story Intro If a Labrador Retriever showed up on your porch barking, you'd think, “This dog is trying to tell me something.” You would never think, “This dog is trying to lure me to my death.” (If you want to share with very young listeners, download the “fright-free” version available at CabinTales.ca.)   [2:35] “The Barking Dog” by Manny   [12:20] Opening Stories you tell vs. write A listener at the campfire doesn't hear the first few lines, then say, ‘You know what? I'm actually going to go to that other campfire and check out that story.' But a reader has a thousand other books to choose from. That's why most advice on how to begin a story will tell you to plant a question in the reader's mind. Here are some gripping first lines that plant questions. [13:25] Excerpt from Charlotte's Web by E.B. White “‘Where's Papa going with that ax?' said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.” [14:05] Excerpt from Feed by M.T. Anderson We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck. [14:40] Excerpt from The Ritual by Adam Nevill And on the second day things did not get better. [15:20] Excerpt from The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier They murdered him. [16:10] Copy the technique: Opening Lines Write three opening lines: one in dialogue, like Charlotte's Web; one that begins in media res, like The Ritual; and one that suggests an unusual setting, like Feed.   [17:35] Openings that introduce a narrator You can open your story by directly introducing yourself to your reader, just as you might open any conversation. Excerpt from Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. Excerpt from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. Excerpt from Mosquitoland by David Arnold. I am Mary Iris Malone, and I am not okay. [18:30] Copy the technique: Introduce yourself Write an opening that directly addresses the reader, acknowledging that they are about to read your story.   [19:15] Openings that make us care         One of my favourites is Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. It begins: It was Sunday after church and all my chores were done. That's not especially riveting. But if you can make me enjoy spending time with your characters, I'll go a long way with them. [20:05] Copy the technique: Engage the reader If you're not sure how to begin, just give us a glimpse of your main character, what makes them unique and likeable. Like a scene of your heroine babysitting for the first time and changing a diaper. If it makes us like her and laugh with her, we'll follow her to the next scene.   [20:35] Interviews with Authors for kids and teens [20:55] Karen Bass on beginning with action [22:45] Kate Inglis on beginning with disorientation [24:50] Chris Jones on beginning with problems   [26:50] Authors' Advice for young writers on how to begin [27:05] Chris Jones on beginning with emotion [28:20] Kate Inglis on hopping around a book [30:35] Karen Bass on setting a tone   [31:55] How my guests began to write and illustrate [32:10] Kate Inglis on getting her 10,000 hours early [33:50] Karen Bass on making a great late entrance [35:05] Chris Jones on starting young and returning later   [43:20] Story Prompt: “Flowers in the Graveyard” Today I was walking my dog when I saw this girl, maybe 18 or so, cut through the cemetery. She walked right up to a headstone and took the flowers that were resting against it….   [39:20] Scary Movie Quote Try out various beginnings out on a trusted listener, like your mom. As a famous Hollywood character once said, “A boy's best friend is his mother.”   [39:50] Thanks and coming up on the podcast Next week I'll talk with five more great Canadian authors about their beginnings: Frieda Wishinsky; Sarah Raughley; Don Cummer; David McArthur; and Wendy McLeod MacKnight. Thanks for listening. Credits: Music on the podcast is from “Stories of the Old Mansion” by Akashic Records, provided by Jamendo (Standard license for online use). (The 80s music moment at 16:05 is from Yaz's "In my Room.") Host: Catherine Austen writes books for children, short stories for adults, and reports for corporate clients. Visit her at www.catherineausten.com. Art: The B&W image for this episode is from a wood engraving by Amédée Forestier from Wilkie Collin's Blind Love, 1890.   Guest Authors Karen Bass loves writing action and adventure, and she likes to slide in some history when she can to make the past come alive for young readers. She has twice won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction and has received numerous other nominations and accolades for her stories, including one being named as a USBBY Outstanding International Book. Aside from finishing her degree in Victoria, BC, Karen lived most of her life in rural Alberta. When her husband retired, they decided to strike out on their own adventure, and now call southern Ontario home. Aside from writing, Karen works occasionally in a library, and so has a constantly growing pile of books waiting to be read. She loves having a whole new part of Canada to explore and use as inspiration for new stories. Find her online at www.karenbass.ca; on Facebook @karenbassYA on Twitter @karenbassYA and on Instagram @karenbassYA. Kate Inglis is an award-winning author for adults and children. She writes about pirates and giants and mermaids and all the ways we love each other. Kate's novels, non-fiction, and poetic picture books are infused with the salt, woodsmoke, and fresh air of the North Atlantic coast. Kate is also a photographer and a corporate writer. Find her online at www.kateinglis.com; on Instagram @kate_inglis, on Twitter @kate_inglis; and on Facebook @kateinglisbooks. Chris Jones is an illustrator with a passion for visual storytelling. He illustrates for picture books, graphic novels, magazines and educational materials. Chris has illustrated over 20 books for young readers, including Scholastic's Take Me Out to The Ice Rink, and This is The Rink Where Jack Plays. When not illustrating for clients, Chris spends his time writing and illustrating his own comic and picture book projects. Find Chris online at: www.mrjonesey.com; Instagram @mrjonesey; Twitter @mrJonesey    

Hosts Dylan Posa and Barb Leitschuh talk about downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks, speak to Lou Ann Studer (a patron and former employee), and as part of 'Barb the Bookie', recommend 'Bud, Not Buddy' by Christopher Paul Curtis.

In this week, as the country lays to rest Congressman John Lewis, one of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement, we thought it was a good time to revisit one of the darkest days of the struggle, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, told through the eyes of young people. It’s "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis. Teaching guide at the website bookclubforkids.org.

In this episode, EmmyB interviews elementary school Principal Jeff Nalwalker. Discussing the book "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis, Principal Nalwalker reminds us that our children often don't see differences until they are pointed out and can easily be taught to see all individuals as "different shades of orange." He also opines on white privilege, leading with kindness, and creating a loving atmosphere where children can learn as the adults around them become part of their "quality world". Principal Nalwalker also recommends the book "Wonder" by RJ Palacio to teach kids all the ways that we are the same.

Over the last two weeks, as it seems like the moment for a national reckoning with over 4 centuries of systemic racism may have finally arrived for America, we at TWWS have been taking a step back to spend some time listening, particularly to Black women. As we go forward, we’re talking amongst the four of us about what we want a humor podcast hosted by four white, middle-aged, middle class, rural women to sound like during this important time. As we continue our thinking, Kelly and Jenny recorded a quick episode about the children’s books we’ve been reading. Kelly is a librarian, and Jenny is an elementary family engagement worker who has a not-so-secret identity of “The Book Lady” for young children in our small community.  Today, we’re talking about the #weneeddiversebooks movement, how to read from an anti-racist perspective with the youngest children, and titles for babies, big kids, and young adults that portray fully complex Black and African-American characters. We encourage you to check out Ten Nine Eight by Molly Bang; The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis; The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon; and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. 

In this episode, 5th-grade students from Emerson Elementary School and Irving Elementary School share their thoughts and reflections on The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Episode 2: Beyond Brave takes a look at Christopher Paul Curtis’ The Journey of Little Charlie and the roots of slavery in the south, midwest and Canada during the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Journey of Little Charlie is a story of the great courage and heroism found in an unlikely protagonist who, upon encountering historic injustice, chooses to make a change--even if it comes at a sacrifice. The Journey of Little Charlie is a scholastic paperback. To learn more about Christopher Paul Curtis, visit nobodybutcurtis.com. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/room8radiotower/support

In this episode, 5th-grade students from Emerson Elementary School share their thoughts and reflections on "Chapters 9 and 10" of The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

In this episode, 5th-grade students from Irving Elementary School share their thoughts and reflections on "Chapters 7 and 8" of The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

In this episode, 5th-grade students from Emerson Elementary School share their thoughts and reflections on "Chapters 4, 5, and 6" of The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

In this episode, 5th grade students from Irving Elementary School share their thoughts and reflections on "Chapters 1, 2, and 3" of The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Podcast #067 For my sixty-seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Kate Dicamillo about the children’s historical novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. For ten year old Kenny, it isn’t always easy being a member of his family, “the weird Watsons”, especially with his older brother By getting into … Continue reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963: an interview with Kate DiCamillo → The post The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963: an interview with Kate DiCamillo appeared first on Dream Gardens.

You know Sharon Robinson as the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson. She is also the author of several widely praised nonfiction books for children about her father, and is an educational consultant for MLB. Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963 is her just-published story of how one girl finds her voice in the fight for justice and equality. Sharon Robinson, aged 13 that year, shares her experiences with young readers, who will also recognize the struggle in today’s current events. "A lovingly honest memoir of a racial-and social activist-past that really hasn't passed." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Sharon Robinson has pulled off an impressive trifecta: She has given us priceless, behind-the-scenes access to perhaps the most tumultuous year in modern American history; she has written atouching, compelling coming-of-age story; and she tops the whole enterprise off with a tribute to her upbringing by an exceptional pair of African Americans, her parents, Rachel and Jackie Robinson.” —Christopher Paul Curtis, Newbery Medal-winning author.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know Sharon Robinson as the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.  She is also the author of several widely praised nonfiction books for children about her father, and is an educational consultant for MLB. Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963  is her just-published story of how one girl finds her voice in the fight for justice and equality. Sharon Robinson, aged 13 that year, shares her experiences with young readers, who will also recognize the struggle in today’s current events.  "A lovingly honest memoir of a racial-and social activist-past that really hasn't passed." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Sharon Robinson has pulled off an impressive trifecta: She has given us priceless, behind-the-scenes access to perhaps the most tumultuous year in modern American history; she has written atouching, compelling coming-of-age story; and she tops the whole enterprise off with a tribute to her upbringing by an exceptional pair of African Americans, her parents, Rachel and Jackie Robinson.” —Christopher Paul Curtis, Newbery Medal-winning author. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Lawson and I chat about writing and the strange quirks of being a writer. We discuss each of her books, where she gets her ideas, and her best writing practices. She doesn't sing a song about lost socks, alas, but she does talk about her editorial process and her best tips for successful school visits. Jessica and I have been online friends for years and it was a pleasure to finally have a conversation in person. I learned a lot and you will as well. Jessica Lawson enjoys living in Pennsylvania, where she and her family spend weekend hours hanging at the local orchard, pretending to be on Top Chef Junior, building with magnet blocks, making up new holidays, and reading plenty of books. She likes pizza. A lot. She is the author of The Actual and Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher, a book that Publishers Weekly called “a delightfully clever debut” in a starred review, and Nooks and Crannies, a Junior Library Guild Selection and recipient of three starred reviews. Her 3rd book, Waiting for Augusta, won the Colorado Book Award for Juvenile Fiction, and was also a Junior Library Guild Selection. Of her latest book, Under the Bottle Bridge, School Library Journal says: "Beautifully written, with vivid characters, this exploration of family and friendship shines from the first page." She fell in love with storytelling at an early age, and is a sucker for Roald Dahl, Maurice Sendak, Linda Sue Park, RL LaFevers, Charles Dickens, Karen Cushman, Barbara Park, Amy Tan, Maryrose Wood, Barbara Cooney, Anne Ursu, Christopher Paul Curtis, Gail Carson Levine, Rita Williams-Garcia, Arnold Lobel, Isabel Allende, Sharon Creech, Eva Ibbotson, Shannon Hale, Maeve Binchy and many, many, many other wonderful authors and illustrators. She writes middle grade fiction, lots of to-do lists, and songs about lost socks. MiddleGradeNinja.com JessicaLawsonBooks.com

The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 By Christopher Paul CurtisWhat happens when you older brother keeps getting into trouble, and your parents have relatives in Birmingham, Alabama who can straighten him out? Kenny can’t believe all the trouble his brother Byron is getting into these days, and finally their parents decided it’s time for a trip down South.Recommended for grades 6 and up.

  In this episode of Reading the Newberys, we discuss the winner of the 2000 Newbery medal, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. From homelessness to jazz music—this book piqued our curiosity and inspired us to research several aspects of the Great Depression. Grab some red pop, a mustard and baloney sandwich, and some … Continue reading 19: Bud, Not Buddy

Riverwalk Theatre presents the comedy/drama based on a book by Christopher Paul Curtis. The play is directed by Tom Ferris and adapted for the stage by Reginald Andre Jackson. [**Check out the book!**](http://opac.cadl.org/search~S15/?searchtype=t&searcharg=Bud%2C+not+buddy+&searchscope=15&sortdropdown=-&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&searchorigarg=XBud%2C+not+buddy+) [**Ticket information**](http://www.riverwalktheatre.com/box-office.html)

This week, we're talking with Christopher Paul Curtis, the author of many beloved, award-winning books for young readers including The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and Bud, Not Buddy. He's joining us via Skype from his home in Canada to talk about his newest book, The Journey of Little Charlie, the latest installment in the Buxton Chronicles. Christopher talks about his love of history, his childhood in Flint, MI, and why humor is a crucial element of his heart-wrenching books. Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on an iOS device here or an Android device here, and the latest episodes of Scholastic Reads will be automatically delivered to your device. Additional resources:  Read more about The Journey of Little Charlie  Watch Christopher Paul Curtis talk about The Journey of Little Charlie Read a review of The Journey of Little Charlie Discover more works by Christopher Paul Curtis Guests:  Christopher Paul Curtis was awarded both a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his debut book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, and won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award for his second book, Bud, Not Buddy. Mr. Curtis is also the author of the Golden Kite Award-winning Bucking the Sarge, as well as The Mighty Miss Malone, and two previous books in The Buxton Chronicles: The Madman of Piney Woods, and the Newbery Honor book Elijah of Buxton. Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan and Christopher Johnson Produced by Emily Morrow    

This week, we're talking with Christopher Paul Curtis, the author of many beloved, award-winning books for young readers including The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 and Bud, Not Buddy. He's joining us via Skype from his home in Canada to talk about his newest book, The Journey of Little Charlie, the latest installment in the Buxton Chronicles. Christopher talks about his love of history, his childhood in Flint, MI, and why humor is a crucial element of his heart-wrenching books. Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on an iOS device here or an Android device here, and the latest episodes of Scholastic Reads will be automatically delivered to your device. Additional resources:  Read more about The Journey of Little Charlie  Watch Christopher Paul Curtis talk about The Journey of Little Charlie Read a review of The Journey of Little Charlie Discover more works by Christopher Paul Curtis Guests:  Christopher Paul Curtis was awarded both a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his debut book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, and won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award for his second book, Bud, Not Buddy. Mr. Curtis is also the author of the Golden Kite Award-winning Bucking the Sarge, as well as The Mighty Miss Malone, and two previous books in The Buxton Chronicles: The Madman of Piney Woods, and the Newbery Honor book Elijah of Buxton. Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan and Christopher Johnson Produced by Emily Morrow    

Intro   Hello and welcome to Books Between - a podcast all about celebrating children’s literature! If you are a teacher, parent, or librarian who wants to help connect kids between 8-12 to books they will love - then you are in the right spot!  I am your host, Corrina Allen - a 5th grade teacher, a mum of an 8 and 10 year old, and baking brownies and bundt cakes and obviously binge-watching a little bit too much of the Great British Baking Show lately. And I will apologise to my British listeners for this atrocious accent. On the other hand, I do rather blame your show for my potentially not fitting into any of my school clothes since I have been craving nothing but carbs… So, if you hear me slip into a weird Britishesque accent today - I’m sorry. Too much Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry in my head!   This is Episode #31 and Today is all about exceptional anthologies and collections that your middle grade readers are going to love.   Main Topic - Exceptional Anthologies and Short Story Collections Today we are talking all about anthologies and short story collections. First off, we’ll begin with definitions. I used to think those were interchangeable terms but I have come to realize they are not. Then, I’ll share with you some fabulous titles you might want to check out, including some really, really exceptional new releases. Then we’ll chat about some reasons why you should consider including more anthologies and short story collections in your school or classroom library. Definitions   According to my favorite dictionary (Merriam-Webster - mainly because they have a hilarious Twitter account!) an anthology is “a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music” and then it goes on to say “a published collection of writings (such as poems or short stories) by different authors”   And that’s the key - anthologies include stories by different authors! The Guys Read Series is a good example of this.   On the other hand, a collection is a book of selected writings (maybe poems, maybe short stories, maybe essays…) all by the same author. Cynthia Rylant’s Every Living Thing is an example you might know.   But….I will say, I see those terms used as synonyms A LOT.   Fantastic Anthologies and Collections To Add to Your Library   And now - a selection - a sampling - a smorgasbord of anthologies and collections to add to your library or introduce to your children. And before we begin, I just want to give a huge thank you to everyone who offered ideas for this list when I put out a call on Twitter and Facebook for suggestions. In particular, you will not be surprised to know that Donalyn Miller was on it with a fabulous list of suggestions.   Let’s start with some classics and older releases.   Best Shorts: Favorite Short Stories to Share This anthology was but together by Avi and includes stories by Natalie Babbitt, Rafe Martin, Lloyd Alexander, and lots more.  And it includes a great mix of time travel, and animal stories, and legends and a touch of the supernatural. In particular, “The Woman in White” by Patricia McKissack is one to check out.   Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant This is a collection of 12 stories - each one about how people’s lives are changed by an animal. This is a classic collection - and if you have kids who are animal lovers, this is definitely one they might enjoy.   Gary Soto has a number of incredible collections - Baseball in April and Local News are among the ones that would be good for middle grade readers.   My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen Up until last year, Hatchet was on our 5th grade required reading list and for those kids that really connected with that book, this collection was a great next book for them. Each story centers around Paulsen’s relationship with a special dog in his life. So this are also great examples of smaller memoirs.   Another great dog anthology is Because of Shoe edited by Ann M. Martin who also contributes a piece. This one features nine fictional stories that appeal to a variety of age ranges.   The People Could Fly  by Virginia Hamilton Oh how I loved this book when it first came out! This is a collection of 24 retellings of black American folk tales - everything from animal stories to supernatural tales to stories of enslaved men and women seeking freedom.   In a similar vein, Patricia McKissack has two collections worth checking out -  Dark Thirty and it’s companion, which she wrote later, Porch Lies. Dark Thirty includes ten horror-themed stories with a Southern Historical flavor. And Porch Lies still has that eerie quality but also more humor.  If you have a child that likes the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Series, these would be a couple books to put in their hands next.   Then there is Red Ridin’ in the Hood by Patricia Santos Marcantonio. This one was strongly recommend by Matthew Winner and with one quick glance at the description online, I can see why. This is a collection of eleven classic fairy tales retold with a twist of Latino culture. Let me read you the description of the title story: "Red Ridin' in the Hood," moves the setting to the barrio, where Red decides to brave dangerous Forest Street in order to reach her abuelita and encounters the menacing wolf in a thumping Chevy lowrider.” I have GOT to get my hands on that!   If your students or children are into graphic novels, there are several really great collections.   The Comic Squad Series have been favorites with my 5th graders. Right now there are three of them - Recess, Lunch, and Detention which just came out last month so I need to pick that one up before heading back to school.   Also - definitely check out Fairy Tale Comics! This is a very cool collection with some awesomely weird stories in it. If your kids like that one, there is also Fable Comics and Nursery Rhyme Comics.   So - if your students and children are like mine, they LOVE the Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi. And I recently discovered - again thanks to Matthew Winner - that he has edited a series of graphic novel anthologies called the Explorer Series. (Why have I not heard of these before? They look incredible!) Each of the three books has a different theme. So the first is “Mystery Boxes”, the second is “Lost Islands” and the third one is “Hidden Doors”. The list of comic contributors is outstanding -  like Raina Telgemeier, Faith Erin Hicks, Dave Roman, Jen Wang…. I gotta go get these! Been There, Done That - is a really special anthology which has fictional stories by award-winning and best-selling authors and also includes the real-life story that inspired those narratives.  I LOVE how this could show kids how you can mine your own life for stories. This is one of those books that I’m like - how did this get by me? This is GREAT!   The Guys Read Series - This group of seven anthologies is edited by Jon Scieszka and each one has a different theme like Terrifying Tales, The Sports Pages, Other Worlds, Funny Business, and the most recent one Heroes & Villains. And, despite their name, they include stories by both men and women. For example, Dan Gutman, Kelly Barnhill, Matt de la Peña, Neal Shusterman, Shannon Hale, and so so many more!   And now onto some really fabulous new collections and anthologies that your kids are going to love.   The Time We Ran Away  - This anthology is put out by Scholastic and I think is offered as the free book for Book Club orders over $50 this September.  It includes eleven short stories by best-selling authors like Angela Cervantes, Sarah Weeks, and Dan Gemeinhart.  I can’t seem to find it anywhere else (yet) so I think you’re going to have to get this one through Scholastic for now. https://clubs.scholastic.com/the-time-we-ran-away-10-book-pack/9781338253467-rco-us.html   Flying Lessons   This anthology edited by Ellen Oh includes new stories by Kwame Alexander, Kelly Baptist, Tim Tingle, Grace Lin among so many others. It was released last January.  And I got it the day it came out and had wonderful intentions of reading it right away. And then - how can you say no to a line of kids reading over your shoulder and wanting to borrow it? So - all I can say is that what I read was good and it was passed from kid to kid to kid until school let out. Clearly - it’s a winner.   Another new anthology that I LOVED this summer was Our Story Begins: Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew As Kids . Well - that pretty much says it all! This book is edited by Elissa Brent Weissman and I especially loved the images of the author’s hand written stories and diary entries and sketches from when they were young. And also hearing about the inspiration of a new typewriter or a teacher’s supportive comment on a report card or the chance to enter a writing contest. It’s fascinating to see the beginnings of these 25 writers’ journeys.     If you have students who like something a little dark, a little twisted - then Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods by Hal Johnson is one they are going to love being scared by. This collection is “20 Chilling Tales from the Wilderness”  told from the perspective of a cryptozoologist - a person who studies legendary beasts like Big Foot or the chupacabras. One reviewer called these “faux-lore” which is perfect.  My ten-year old and I really love listening to the podcast Lore together and I think this will really be up her alley. It comes out August 22nd so be on the lookout for that next week.   And finally - Funny Girl - edited by Betsy Bird. In fact, in our very next episode, I have the great pleasure of sharing with you a conversation with Betsy Bird about this book and LOTS of other things.  We talk a fair amount about it  in our interview so I think I’ll just say here that you should definitely go get it. It is truly laugh out loud funny. And oh do we need some humor in our lives. So definitely get this one and I’m...I’m hoping for a Volume 2! 7 Reasons Why You Should Include More Anthologies and Collections   I am going to say up front that I don’t have a ton of these in my classroom. But - I loved them as a child and I’ve noticed lately that my own daughters have been picking more and more of them up. I thought - I need to really expand that part of our library. So here are 7 reasons why you might want to consider including more anthologies and collections.   Anthologies are gateways to discovering other amazing authors. So a child might pick up Guys Read: Funny Business and be drawn to the Jeff Kinney story,  “Unaccompanied Minors” but then get introduced to the amazing Christopher Paul Curtis or David Lubar and suddenly discover their new favorite author. On the other hand, a collection of writing pieces all by one author is great when you want to go more in depth and dig into everything they have to offer. Often authors who are known for, say, novels or a certain genre - will play around in short pieces and try something new. Like poetry or a personal essay. I feel like a collection gives you a good sense of who an author is and more of a window into their life. Anyone who loves Gary Paulsen should read My Life in Dog Years. Anthologies and collections can help kids gain some reading traction if their stamina hasn’t been so great. They can get that satisfaction of finishing a story or an essay in a short amount of time and start to build up to longer texts. Especially at the beginning of the year or after a break, starting with something shorter can be a great idea. When I’ve had reading lulls in my ownlife, short stories can really kick-start me again. They are great for trying out new genres and new formats without the investment in a longer novel. My youngest daughter wouldn’t necessarily pick up a biography but she LOVED Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls. And although most of my students really love graphic novels, I’ve had more than few turn up their noses at that format. So I’ve handed them books like Comic Squad or Fairy Tale Comics and ask them to just try one story. Anthologies and collections introduce a greater variety of stories and perspectives into your life. On the last episode when I was chatting with Jillian Heise about #ClassroomBookADay, I was thinking about how reading a picture book each day can bring more so much more diversity into a classroom. And collections can do the same thing. In fact I was talking with my husband about this last night and he said it perfectly, “Would you rather get a box of all the same chocolates or would you rather get sampler with a dozen different flavors?” Yeah - I’m going for the flavors! And I might leave the cashew cluster for someone else, but that’s okay. Coming at this from a teacher’s point of view, reading the short stories and essays found in anthologies and collections are wonderful to offer as models for students’ own writing. With my 5th graders, we use the TCWRP Units of Study and our first writing unit is Narratives. And of course, I want to give them lots of examples and mentor texts. So I’ll take the first couple of weeks to read to them lots and lots of short narratives to really imprint in their mind what a good narrative sounds like and feels like. What the pacing and plotting is like in all kinds of narratives - from funny to serious. And finally - anthologies and collections are perfect for when you don’t want to jump into a long book yet or you only have little snippets of time to read.  I think they are great for traveling. If you’re on the bus or a plane, you can finish a full a story and don’t have to worry about rereading to pick back up the threads of a plot. In a classroom, if students are in book clubs and a couple members of the group have fallen behind in their reading and need to catch up, you don’t want the other students to start a new novel. So offering them a book like Flying Solo or Funny Girl is a great option. Closing   Okay - that wraps up our show this week. We have some great interviews and book talks coming up. Next week is the amazing Betsy Bird. And after that you can look forward to a conversations with Celia Perez about The First Rule of Punk and Danielle Davis - author of Zinnia and the Bees. I’ll also be chatting about Jason Reynold’s Patina and some really great new graphic novels. So be on the lookout for those.   And, if you have a question or an idea about a topic we should cover, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at booksbetween@gmail.com or connect on Twitter/Instagram at the handle @Books_Between.   Thank you so much for joining me this week. You can find an outline of interviews and a full transcript of all the other parts of our show along with all of our previous episodes at AlltheWonders.com.     And, if you like what you hear and value the podcast, please leave a quick review or rating on iTunes or Stitcher.   Thanks again and see you soon!  Bye!

Every family has its own way of doing things and, now that our kids are old enough to compare our homes to their friends', suddenly there's a whole list of ways in which we, our kids' parents, ARE MONSTERS. Plus, Biz paves the way for weekend fun and Theresa visits a real forest. And we talk with writer Nefertiti Austin about her experience adopting children as a single woman of color.   In reference to our conversation with Nefertiti, here are some book recommendations from Gwen Glazer of the New York Public Library. These books are for children ages 10+, featuring protagonists who are people of color. Note these are categorized by gender -- the first listed are books featuring boy/male leads and below that are books featuring girl/female leads. As with any book, parents should read first to make sure it is suitable for your child. Thank you, Gwen!   Featuring boy/male leads:   As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds (Nefertiti after the show found this as well through her local librarian)  ​​The Crossover and Booked by Kwame Alexander (these might skew older​ -- for a mature 10yo only​)  The Cruisers series by Walter Dean Myers​​ Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth​​ Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis​   Featuring girl/female leads:   One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia  Flygirl by Sherri L. Smit  Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes  The Jumbies series by Tracy Baptiste  The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis   Zora and Me by Victoria Bond   Nefertiti Austin: http://muthamagazine.com/author/nefertiti-austin/ http://www.essence.com/authors/nefertiti-austin Tickets for One Bad Mother Live at the Independent in San Francisco April 29th: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1453303 You're Doing A Great Job!: 100 Ways You're Winning At Parenting! is available now! You can get it at Amazon or Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million or your local indie book store! Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of MaximumFun.org. Our sponsors this week are Blue Apron and Care.com. You can try Blue Apron and get your first three meals free with free shipping by visiting BlueApron.com/badmother. And to save 30% off a Care.com Premium membership, and receive a $15 credit that you can use toward paying your caregiver when you use Care.com’s convenient payment platform, visit http://www.care.com/badmother when you subscribe. Share your genius and fail moments! Call 206-350-9485* *Be sure to tell us at the top of your message whether you're leaving a genius moment, a fail, or a rant! Thanks!! Share a personal or commercial message on the show! Subscribe to One Bad Mother in iTunes Join our mailing list!

Meet Christopher Paul Curtis. He is known for writing historical fiction for young adults that center on African-American families and tackle tough issues with humor and honesty. His latest book, The Mighty Miss Malone, has all the hallmarks of a Curtis novel: a likeable and utterly believable young protagonist, a Rust Belt setting, a vividly drawn moment in history (in this case, the Great Depression), and moments of real humor interlaced with a story of genuine pathos. In many ways, Curtis has had a blessed career. His first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, tells the story of ten-year-old Kenny, his family, and a trip that leads them into a tragic moment in American history. It somehow managed to be hilarious, and in turn, tragic. It also racked up a slew of awards including a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor. Curtis followed that up with Bud, Not Buddy, which is set in 1936 Flint, Michigan, and focuses on ten-year-old orphan Bud Caldwell, who hits the road in search of family. It became the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award. Curtis then went on to receive still another Coretta Scott King Author Award and a Newbery Honor for Elijah of Buxton, a novel about the first child born free in a settlement of runaway slaves in southern Canada. [34:01]

Meet Christopher Paul Curtis. He is known for writing historical fiction for young adults that center on African-American families and tackle tough issues with humor and honesty. His latest book, The Mighty Miss Malone, has all the hallmarks of a Curtis novel: a likeable and utterly believable young protagonist, a Rust Belt setting, a vividly drawn moment in history (in this case, the Great Depression), and moments of real humor interlaced with a story of genuine pathos. In many ways, Curtis has had a blessed career. His first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, tells the story of ten-year-old Kenny, his family, and a trip that leads them into a tragic moment in American history. It somehow managed to be hilarious, and in turn, tragic. It also racked up a slew of awards including a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor. Curtis followed that up with Bud, Not Buddy, which is set in 1936 Flint, Michigan, and focuses on ten-year-old orphan Bud Caldwell, who hits the road in search of family. It became the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award. Curtis then went on to receive still another Coretta Scott King Author Award and a Newbery Honor for Elijah of Buxton, a novel about the first child born free in a settlement of runaway slaves in southern Canada. [34:01]

Christopher Paul Curtis talks about making history real for young readers. [34:01]

I recommend the below books for use when teaching about slavery in the United States between 1700 and 1900 to students in intermediate-level grades. In some cases, I also include Google Lit Trips developed by teachers in the Teaching American History Grant program.Most Loved in All the World by Tonya Cherie HegaminUnder the Quilt of Night by Deborah HopkinsonFollow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette WinterA Voice of Her Own: A Story of Phyllis Wheatly, Slave Poet by Katherine LaskyAlec's Primer by Mildred Pitts WalterDaily Life on a Southern Plantation by Paul EricksonDiscovery Kids: Underground RailroadElijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul CurtisHenry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen LevineIf You Lived When There Was Slavery in America by Anna Kamma [Lit Trip by Laura Conway, Cathleen Mullen, and Rachel Robertson]If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad Ellen LevineMeet Addie: American Girl (Book One) by Connie PorterNight Boat to Freedom by Margot Thiels Raven [Lit Trip by Jill Hardin]Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye StroudPriscilla and the Hollyhocks by Ann Broyles [Lit Trip by Jessica Graham]Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson [See this Lit Trip by Megan Leider and a companion lesson plan by Cynthia Weeden]Time For Kids Biographies: Harriet Tubman A Woman of Courage by the Editors of Time for Kids with Renee SkeltonUnderground Railroad Interactive Adventure by Allison LassiuerFreedom River by Doreen RappaportAlmost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheaux NelsonUnderground Railroad for Kids: From Slavery to Freedom with 21 Activities by Mary Kay CarsonAlmost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheaux NelsonMukambu of Ndongo by Patricia Procopi [Lit Trip by Andrea May and Jordan Savitt]Lest We Forget: The Passage from Africa to Slavery and Emancipation: A Three-Dimensional Interactive Book with Photographs and Documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit by Velma Maia ThomasUp the Learning Tree by Marcia K. VaughanJanuary's Sparrow by Patricia Pollaco (Note: This book contains graphic pictures and explicit text)Graphic Library: Graphic HistoryBrave Escape of Ellen and William Craft by Donald LemkeHarriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad by Michael Martin [Lit Trip by Melissa Rea and Shelita Oliver]Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion by Michael BurganJohn Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry by Jason GlaserEli Whitney and the Cotton Gin by Jessica Gunderson

Christopher Paul Curtis did not become a published author until he was in his 40's. Before his first novel was published, he spent much of his adult life working in an automobile factory. Work at the factory became so unbearable that Curtis began having semi-hallucinations at night of car doors and assembly lines moving through his bedroom. Fortunately, Curtis' fate changed dramatically when his first two novels received some of the most prestigious awards in all of children's literature. AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers. For more interviews with young adult authors, visit us at www.AdLit.org, a national education service of public television station WETA. Funding is provided by grants from Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation.