Podcasts about Piecing Me Together

What does it mean to lose your anchor people? In a short period of time, Renée Watson experienced the death of her mother, her mentor Nikki Giovanni, and her childhood friend, Charnetta. Renée shares how these experiences influenced her latest novel for young readers, All the Blues in the Sky, which follows 13-year-old Sage as she navigates grief after the death of her best friend. Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose recent book All the Blues in the Sky explores grief through the eyes of a young person. Her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Her children's picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. Many of her books are inspired by her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the Pacific Northwest. We Discuss Experiencing multiple significant losses in a short period of time  The impact of losing "anchor people" in one's life  How Renée's mentor and friend, Nikki Giovanni, supported her as she grieved for her mother  The spectrum of emotions that come with grief  Why it's important to acknowledge grief rather than avoid it  What Renée learned about grief from writing her main character, Sage.   The comparison of sudden loss versus anticipated loss  Finding tangible reminders of love after someone dies  Connect with Renée Watson  Website: RenéeWatson.net  About Dougy Center  Grief Out Loud is a production of Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children and Families in Portland, Oregon. For more resources, visit dougy.org or email griefoutloud@dougy.org. 

This week, acclaimed writers Renée Watson and Jabari Asim talk about Watson's novel, skin & bones, as well as writing Black history and moving from writing for children to adults. This conversation originally took place May 19, 2024 and was recorded live at the American Writers Festival.AWM PODCAST NETWORK HOMEAbout skin & bones:From the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a soulful and lyrical novel exploring sisterhood, motherhood, faith, love, and ultimately what gets passed down from one generation to the next.At 40, Lena Baker is at a steady and stable moment in life—between wine nights with her two best friends and her wedding just weeks away, she's happy in love and in friendship until a confession on her wedding day shifts her world.Unmoored and grieving a major loss, Lena finds herself trying to teach her daughter self-love while struggling to do so herself. Lena questions everything she's learned about dating, friendship, and motherhood, and through it all, she works tirelessly to bring the oft-forgotten Black history of Oregon to the masses, sidestepping her well-meaning co-workers that don't understand that their good intentions are often offensive and hurtful.Through Watson's poetic voice, skin & bones is a stirring exploration of who society makes space for and is ultimately a story of heartbreak and healing.RENÉE WATSON is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Over the past decade she has authored fifteen young adult books, which have collectively sold more than a million copies. She received a Coretta Scott King Award and a Newbery Honor for Piecing Me Together and high praise for 1619 Project: Born on the Water. Watson is on the Council of Writers for the National Writing Project and is a member of the Academy of American Poets' Education Advisory Council. She is also a writer-in-residence at The Solstice Low-Residency MFA Creative Writing Program. Renée splits her time between New York City and Portland, Oregon.JABARI ASIM is a writer and multidisciplinary artist. He directs the MFA program in creative writing at Emerson College, where he is also the Elma Lewis Distinguished Fellow in Social Justice. His nonfiction books include The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why; What Obama Means: For Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Future; Not Guilty: Twelve Black Men Speak Out on Law, Justice, and Life; and We Can't Breathe: On Black Lives, White Lies, and the Art of Survival. His books for children include Whose Toes Are Those? and Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis. His works of fiction include A Taste of Honey, Only the Strong, and Yonder.

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include the Ryan Hart series, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, cowritten with Ilyasah Shabazz, Watch Us Rise, cowritten with Ellen Hagan, and Love Is a Revolution, as well as acclaimed picture books: Maya's Song, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, written with Nikole Hannah-Jones, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée splits her time between Portland, Oregon and New York City.https://www.reneewatson.net/https://www.facebook.com/renee.watson.5832https://www.instagram.com/harlemportland/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include the Ryan Hart series, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, cowritten with Ilyasah Shabazz, Watch Us Rise, cowritten with Ellen Hagan, and Love Is a Revolution, as well as acclaimed picture books: Maya's Song, The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, written with Nikole Hannah-Jones, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée splits her time between Portland, Oregon and New York City. https://www.reneewatson.net/ https://www.facebook.com/renee.watson.5832 https://www.instagram.com/harlemportland/

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author. Her books have sold over one million copies.  Her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Her children's picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. Many of her books are inspired by her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the Pacific Northwest. Her poetry and fiction center around the experiences of Black girls and explore themes of home, identity, body image, and the intersections of race, class, and gender.One of Renée's passions is using the arts to help youth cope with trauma and discuss social issues. Her picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen is based on poetry workshops she facilitated with children in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Renée was a writer-in-residence for over twenty years teaching creative writing and theater in public schools and community centers throughout the nation. She founded I, Too Arts Collective, a nonprofit that was housed in the Harlem brownstone where Langston Hughes lived the last twenty years of his life. The organization hosted poetry workshops for youth and literary events for the community from 2016-2019.  Renée is on the Council of Writers for the National Writing Project and is a member of the Academy of American Poets' Education Advisory Council.Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and splits her time between Portland and New York City.This episode was produced by Brittani Brown of BarbaraJean Productions.Find out more at gloryedim.com

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for August 8th Tuesday Publish Date: Aug 7 Monday   Commercial: Henssler :15   From the Henssler Financial Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast Today is Tuesday August 8th and happy 34th birthday to baseball slugger Anthony Rizzo ***Rizzo*** I'm Dan Radcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia 1. Kennesaw man turns himself in for fatal Mableton hit and run 2. County to consider book club for kids in juvenile detention 3. And American Legion honors veterans Bonner and Johnson Plus, Brian Giffin with have a Cobb Sports Report powered by Powers Electrical Solutions   All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage to listen and subcribe! Commercial : CUofGA   STORY 1 Hit n run   Kristopher Johnson, a Kennesaw man, turned himself in to Cobb police after a hit-and-run incident in Mableton that killed a 60-year-old pedestrian, Artie Dumas. Johnson is charged with hit and run. The incident occurred at Floyd Road and Maran Lane, adjacent to the Mable House Arts Center. Preliminary investigations indicate that the pedestrian was crossing Floyd Road outside the marked crosswalk when a Hyundai Elantra, allegedly driven by Johnson, struck him. Witnesses reported that Johnson briefly stopped before fleeing the scene, and Dumas was pronounced dead at the scene. Johnson posted a $25,000 bond and was released. The police investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Cobb police......read more about this story at mdjonline.com. ......................……... read more about this at mdjonline.com   Story 2: books   Cobb County officials plan to establish a book club for incarcerated youth in the Cobb Youth Detention Center, in partnership with the Cobb County Public Library System and the Department of Juvenile Justice. The initiative is part of the American Library Association's Great Stories Club, designed for underserved teens. The club discussions will explore themes of race, equity, identity, and history through selected titles such as "Piecing Me Together," "I Am Alfonso Jones," "The Poet X," and "Anger is a Gift." The library will receive a programming stipend and copies of the books for the participants. The program aims to encourage empathy and engage youth in meaningful discussions about their lives and the world around them.   Story 3: honors   American Legion Post 296 held a dedication ceremony to honor Air Force veterans Jesse Bonner and Lucius Johnson. A plaque commemorating their service to the post and their country was installed at the entrance doors to the blue room, a designated space for post meetings and ceremonies. Both veterans played key roles in expanding Post 296, leasing a new building, and financing its construction. Jesse Bonner, a retired chief master sergeant, and Lucius Johnson, who passed away before the event, were recognized for their contributions. The ceremony was attended by community leaders and former government officials, expressing gratitude for the veterans' impact on the community.   We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.   we'll be right back   Break: ESOG– Elon – Dayco   STORY 4: year   After a year on the job, Cobb police Chief Stuart VanHoozer has emphasized the need for more officers in the department. Despite efforts to raise starting pay and implement a step-and-grade pay plan, there remain 90 to 105 openings among the budgeted 716 full-time sworn officers. VanHoozer has engaged in community outreach, explaining his policing philosophy, and gathering feedback from civic groups and officers. The department has also focused on improving technology, including the use of a real-time crime center to enhance crime-solving capabilities and precision policing. The chief is also working on initiatives like the Community Assistance Response Team (CART), a civilian program to respond to low-level calls and free up sworn officers for serious crimes. Additionally, efforts are being made to increase community engagement, particularly with high school students and communities experiencing higher levels of crime. The ultimate goal is to create a safer community and build trust between the police and the public.   STORY 5: cabin   Cobb Landmarks arranged for a log cabin restorer, Vic Hood, to evaluate the Power-Jackson Cabin in east Cobb. The purpose was to assess if the cabin could be preserved and to determine the scope of restoration work needed. The cabin is a rare example of a "rived log house," where logs are split, creating a rounded exterior and a smooth interior surface. The cabin's preservation was in question as a developer had proposed an 18-home development on the site, but the application was withdrawn in May. Cobb Landmarks awaits Hood's report on the cabin's potential restoration.   Story 6: rugby   Atlanta's professional rugby team, Rugby ATL, will be relocating as it has been acquired by a new ownership group. The specific location of the team's new base has not been disclosed yet. The team was originally founded in 2018 by Marcus Calloway and played its games at Lupo Family Field at Life University in Marietta. After suffering flooding damage, the team's home venue was moved to Silverbacks Park in Atlanta. Rugby ATL had a successful run, including two consecutive playoff berths and winning the Eastern Conference Championship in 2021. The new ownership group's decision to relocate the team marks the end of its time in Atlanta, but the league CEO didn't rule out a potential MLR return to the city in the future.   We'll be back in a moment   Break: Drake- Ingles 4- Powers   Story 7: SPORTS   (Piece will have intro-outtro pieces built in)   *****Sports Report*****   We're back with final thoughts after this     Break: JRM - Henssler 60 Signoff- Thanks again for hanging out with us on today's Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories, and get other great content at MDJonline.com. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.   www.powerselectricga.com  www.daycosystems.com  www.esogrepair.com  www.drakerealty.com  www.henssler.com  www.ingles-markets.com  www.jrmmanagement.com  www.elonsalon.com  www.cuofga.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We revisit our episode with Renée Watson.****On Today's Show"There's just something about literally raising your voice and letting these words come out of you. That's powerful." - Renée Watson Maya Angelou was mute for six years. After a traumatizing childhood experience, the famous poet and activist retreated inward and lost her voice. In Renée Watson's kid-friendly but unflinching retelling of her story in "Maya's Song", Watson shows how poetry was the means to Maya finding her voice and going on to use it in unforgettable ways. That's the power of poetry. And that power is something that Renée is passionate about giving to kids.From incorporating poetic elements in her stories to writing entire stories in verse, Renée utilizes poetry in her writing frequently. In this episode, she joins to tell us more about how she came to believe in the power of poetry, how she makes it accessible to children, why she thinks it's so important for youth, and more.ContentsChapter 1 - Intro to Reneé (2:43)Chapter 2 - 1619 project (5:24)Chapter 3 - Knoxville, Tennessee (10:36)Chapter 4 - Telling Maya's Story (14:11)Chapter 5 - Teaching Youth Poetry (19:37)Chapter 6 - Music as a Gateway to Poetry (22:42)Chapter 7 - Writing About Portland (27:26)Chapter 8 - Sharing Joy With Ryan Hart (29:39)Chapter 9 - Library visits (32:02)Chapter 10 - Voice Through Voice (33:02)Chapter 11 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (33:54)Links https://www.reneewatson.net/ https://www.beanstack.com https://thereadingculturepod.com/renee-watson

Recording of Off the Shelf Radio Show from WDLR with co-hosts Molly Meyers LaBadie and Nicole Fowles. This week we chat with Ali Solove and Liz Charbonneau from the Board of Elections. We talk to them about the August election. Recommendations include Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson, Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney, and Cultish: the Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell Read more about today's episode here. Listen live every Friday morning at 9 AM https://wdlrradio.com/program-schedule/off-the-shelf/  This episode originally aired on June 30, 2023

Author Renee Watson won two awards from the American Library Association last week for her young adult novel “Piecing Me Together,” which was based on her experiences growing up in Portland. Watson joins us to talk about “Piecing Me Together” and her latest book, “Betty Before X.”

El pronóstico económico y de ingresos del mes de marzo de Oregón se publicó el miércoles, 22 de febrero. El pronóstico mostró otro aumento en la recaudación de impuestos y una mejora en la situación del presupuesto del estado con $714.6 millones adicionales proyectados del Fondo General y de la Lotería disponibles para ser utilizados en el bienio 2023-25. Esta estrategia continuará estabilizando los sistemas y servicios operativos para los estudiantes y apoyando las áreas prioritarias del Plan Estratégico. Obtenga más información en la página Asuntos presupuestarios de nuestro sitio web. Nuestro evento destacado es la visita de la autora best seller de The New York Times, Renée Watson a la Escuela Preparatoria Liberty, el viernes 3 de marzo. Todos los estudiantes freshmen de Liberty leyeron su novela para jóvenes adultos Piecing Me Together, la cual recibió el reconocimiento Coretta Scott King y la medalla de honor Newbery. La publicación de Noticias de la Semana se elabora y se envía por correo electrónico a las familias y a los miembros del personal de HSD cada semana durante el año escolar. Por favor, agregue esta dirección de correo electrónico a su lista de «remitentes seguros» para asegurarse de recibir siempre la publicación más reciente. Además, por favor no deje de agregar a sus enlaces favoritos el sitio web de nuestro distrito (hsd.k12.or.us) y la página del año escolar 2022-23 (hsd.k12.or.us/202223schoolyear) para mantenerse informado sobre lo que está sucediendo en nuestro distrito y en las escuelas.

Oregon's March Economic and Revenue Forecast was released on Wednesday, February 22nd. The forecast showed another surge in tax collections and an improvement in the state's budget position with a projected additional $714.6 million in general fund and lottery resources available to spend in the 2023-25 biennium. Net general fund and lottery revenues are up a combined $6.653 billion for the 2021-23 biennium since the legislature adjourned in 2021, resulting in record projected personal and corporate kickers and significant budget reserves for the state. Although the additional revenue for the 2021-23 biennium is good news, the appropriation to the current State School Fund will not be increased. The District is operating within adopted appropriations for the current year, and is creating the 2023-24 Proposed Budget Documents to be shared at the Budget Committee meeting on April 25th. Our Featured Event is the visit to Liberty High School by #1 New York Times bestselling author Renée Watson on Friday, March 3rd. All Liberty freshmen have read her young adult novel Piecing Me Together, which received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Following her visit to Liberty, Watson traveled to the Brookwood Public Library to deliver the keynote speech kicking off the Hillsboro Reads event. From March 3rd to 18th, Hillsboro Reads will host author talks, panels, storytimes, workshops, and pop-up programs. You will meet the authors, discuss their works and writing practices, and learn what inspires them. Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12th at 2 a.m. Please remember to move your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night. March 6th through 10th is Classified Employee Appreciation Week. As HCU president Melody Hansen so aptly put it, our classified employees “...clean it, cook it, fix it, drive it, paint it, type it, schedule it, plant it, file it, and support, love, and believe in our students.” So every day, but this week in particular, we recognize and celebrate our classified employees for all they do for students, fellow staff, families, and the HSD community! Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: hsd.k12.or.us and the 2022-23 School Year page: hsd.k12.or.us/202223schoolyear to stay informed about what's happening in our district and schools.

In this 2019 interview, author and educator Renée Watson talks about her prize-winning YA title, Piecing Me Together and Watch Us Rise (co-written with poet Ellen Hagan). Both look at the lived experiences of black girls as they grapple with identity right at the intersection of race, class and gender. But Watson is a story-teller not a sociologist and, as in life, her characters can and do respond in unexpected ways. In this podcast, we also discuss what goes into writing for young adults, how her own experiences are reflected in Piecing Me Together, the joy of collaborative work*,* and Watson's own trajectory as a writer, educator and performer. Let us know what you think about *Art Works--*email us at artworkspod@arts.gov.

In this 2019 interview, author and educator Renée Watson talks about her prize-winning YA title, Piecing Me Together and Watch Us Rise (co-written with poet Ellen Hagan). Both look at the lived experiences of black girls as they grapple with identity right at the intersection of race, class and gender. But Watson is a story-teller not a sociologist and, as in life, her characters can and do respond in unexpected ways. In this podcast, we also discuss what goes into writing for young adults, how her own experiences are reflected in Piecing Me Together, the joy of collaborative work*,* and Watson's own trajectory as a writer, educator and performer. Let us know what you think about *Art Works--*email us at artworkspod@arts.gov.

Jennie and Marcy speak with activist, author, and poet Renée Watson about her Coretta Scott King winning & Newbery honored book Piecing Me Together, the new book in her middle grade Ryan Hart series, and writing the joy of every day moments!

On Today's Show"There's just something about literally raising your voice and letting these words come out of you. That's powerful." - Renée Watson Maya Angelou was mute for six years. After a traumatizing childhood experience, the famous poet and activist retreated inward and lost her voice. In Renée Watson's kid-friendly but unflinching retelling of her story in "Maya's Song", Watson shows how poetry was the means to Maya finding her voice and going on to use it in unforgettable ways. That's the power of poetry. And that power is something that Renée is passionate about giving to kids.From incorporating poetic elements in her stories to writing entire stories in verse, Renée utilizes poetry in her writing frequently. In this episode, she joins to tell us more about how she came to believe in the power of poetry, how she makes it accessible to children, why she thinks it's so important for youth, and more.ContentsChapter 1 - Intro to Reneé (1:39)Chapter 2 - 1619 project (4:21)Chapter 3 - Knoxville, Tennessee (9:33)Chapter 4 - Telling Maya's Story (13:08)Chapter 5 - Teaching Youth Poetry (18:34)Chapter 6 - Music as a Gateway to Poetry (21:39)Chapter 7 - Writing About Portland (26:23)Chapter 8 - Sharing Joy With Ryan Hart (28:36)Chapter 9 - Library visits (30:58)Chapter 10 - Voice Through Voice (31:59)Chapter 11 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (32:51)This episode's Beanstack featured librarian is Pat Toney, a Children's Services Librarian at Oakland Public Library in California. Pat provides us with a coming-of-age book recommendation for teens. Links https://www.reneewatson.net/ https://www.beanstack.com https://thereadingculturepod.com/renee-watson

The episodes begins with Mariquita reviewing one of her new favorite young adult books titled Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. Piecing me together is a beautiful coming of age novel about a young Black girl in North Portland. Then in the second segment, Ashley speaks with Iman Hariri-Kia about her debut novel, A Hundred Other Girls. The conversation includes writing about children of immigrants, the representation of non-binary characters, the pace of media in New York City, and the burnout and build of bloggers. Iman also speaks about about her work as a sex and relationship editor and her newsletter called Cherry Picked.  Media & Books Mentioned: Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson Oregon Was Founded As a Racist Utopia Article A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia National Network of Abortion Funds  Support our guest and hosts: Follow Mariquita: Instagram  Follow Iman Hariri-Kia: Instagram //  TikTok //  Linktree Follow Ashley: Twitter // Website Beyond the Box: Our weekly round-up of blog and podcast content delivered directly to your inbox every Friday Check out our online community here!  This episode was edited by Rah Hernandez and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people. Original music by @iam.onyxrose Learn more about Feminist Book Club on our website, sign up for our emails, shop our Bookshop.org recommendations, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest.  

30: Dante Stewart - Shouting it the Fire book “Let's be clear. There's a vast difference between diversity and inclusion and liberation and justice. One enjoys the feeling of my presence. The other embraces the fullness of my humanity” 2:26 Colonization Approach - Ask vs. lecture 4:34 Teacher evaluation blunders 4:48 Alternative Methods-Grading for Equity 5:11 Embrace the Change-But Give It Time 5:43 California Initiatives-Some change types: Policy Changes | New Admin's Philosophy 6:44 Block Scheduling 8:08 The Classroom in the heart of the school-why are you breaking it? 9:09 So quick to get out of touch with the classroom when you aren't in it. 10:06 Sage on the Stage vs. Student Centered Approach 10:47 Education isn't about just making money-it's about being a contributing member of society. 11:29Addressing Implicit Biases/Social Cognition 12:29 Challenge Stereotypes-Don't subscribe to common thought. 13:00 Develop Empathy - SUPPORT THEM. ASK QUESTIONS. Imagine yourself in their shoes 14:44 Landline story from classroom to classroom-VCRS 15:05 Embrace Differences - We spend so much time with our own “kind”. Experience diversity instead. Nicole Mirra Teaching for Empathy - Activity for Embracing our Differences 16:07 Grapple with the work you are assigning your students. 16:30 Intersectionality California Black School Educator Association Dr Marks Acknowledging and Managing Implicit Bias 17:41 Learn about Your Students: 17:47 Language, Gender and Culture Unit - Code Switching 20:30 Speaking with an Accent is a superpower because you speak more than one language. 20:41 Advocacy 21:30 Be Anti-Racist Podcast 21:31 Book Recommendations: Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain, Legend of Bass Reeves, Black Enough, Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad, The Watsons God to Birmingham, Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome, How to Raise an Anti-Racist, Solo, When I Was a Slave, Piecing Me Together, Great Speeches by African Americans, The Silence of Our Friends. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aintgonnabenostupid/support

Episode Description As educators and young folks reflect and engage in end-of-school rituals, we're closing Season One of Dancing on Desks with our Love Letter to Education. We hear from storytellers, poets, students, and educators who joined us this season to check back and hear about their summer dreams. We have collective dreams of reading books, taking naps, swimming in lakes, oceans, and pools, gardening, swimming, hugging our families and friends, and resting. Erin and monét share their love letter to education, discussing the ways in which abolition is an invitation to living by a love ethic (shout out to bell hooks) and centering practices of care and accountability and R-E-S-T. High school teacher Jessica Rucker shares her abecedarian, “A Love Letter to Education and Unlearning” as she leaves the classroom to pursue her dreams. Poet and graduating high school senior Zoe Bredesen protects her peace in her poem “If the Roles Were Reversed”. Finally, we offer our questions: If we love education, what does this love sound like, feel like, look like, smell like? How might we live there? Send us your responses to dancingondesks@gmail.com or slide in our DMs on IG @dancingondesks. Let's get free, y'all! Intellectual Inheritance Teaching to Transgress and All About Love: New Visions, bell hooks Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paulo Freire “On Knowing: Willingness, Fugitivity and Abolition in Precarious Times,” Dr. David Stovall, Journal of Language and Literacy Education, Spring 2020 Where Do We Go From Here? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Emergent Strategy, adrienne maree brown Piecing Me Together, Renée Watson Wonder, R.J. Palacio Nnedi Okorafor (Read all of her books!) Music “Blessed”, “Holy Water”, “Los Angeles”, “Pink Cadillac”, “Say Grace”, “Suzie” | Yogic Beats yogicbeats@gmail.com “DC GoGo Beat 2018, Pocket Beat” | Slick City Beatz slickdc202@gmail.com Dancing on Desks Theme song composed and arranged by Mara Johnson and Elliott Wilkes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dancingondesks/message

NO SPOILERS in this conversation with Rebecca Serle about In Five Years. *** Carinn & Kate introduce their conversation with author Rebecca Serle, whose book, In Five Years, held strong on the New York Times bestseller list! We get personal and introspective with Rebecca, who we dubbed a self-help guru plus fiction writer extraordinaire. It’s one of those interviews we are going to want (and need) to listen to over and over again. (:48) *** In Five Years had us thinking about fate vs. free will and Rebecca explains why this question— how much of our lives are pre-determined and how much is within our control—is something she will never stop exploring in her fiction. (6:39) *** Carinn & Kate get personal and discuss how fate had a hand in their relationship and Rebecca shares how she learned to “unclench the hands that hold the reins of her life” in order to give attention to where the energy is. Mind blown. (12:15) *** In Five Years is a story with two complicated and very different female protagonists and Rebecca explains why prioritizing female friendships is so important to her books, but also in her life. (16:35) *** Rebecca offers great advice to aspiring authors to be educated about the publishing world and yet also open to where the energy in your life is taking you in terms of what is drawing you in. Because once you’re educated and your house is in order, that is when you can listen to your intuition and live by it. She makes it sound so easy! (20:14) *** As always, we talk astrology, and Rebecca was more than a willing participant...she had us finally running to schedule that astrological reading! (24:20) *** Listen to hear what Nora Ephron means to Rebeca and which of her famous words made it into In Five Years. (29:25) *** After this interview, you’ll want to pick up ALL of Rebecca’s books, particularly the Dinner List, which explores the many different facets of love and relationships, like she does in In Five Years. (31:50) *** Speaking of love, we ask Rebecca to explain a line from the book--“Love doesn’t require a future”--and her answer is better than anything we could have imagined. (34:15) *** In Five Years is a true love letter to NY. Rebecca shares what the city meant to her and her writing, even as she makes her new home in LA. (38:39) *** Rebecca shared a list of some of her favorite Black women authors to amply Black voices (42:30): Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson, Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Dear Martin by Nic Stone The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas On the Come Up by Angie Thomas Given by Nandi Taylor What We Lose Zinzi Clemmons The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @popfictionwomen and on Twitter @pop_women. To do a full deep dive, check out our website at www.popfictionwomen.com (http://www.popfictionwomen.com) . Stay Complicated!

Our first YA novel (!!!) tackles racial, economical, and social disparities between the connected members of one city. It follows Jade, a smart girl from a poor neighborhood, who attends high school with the children of Portland's upper-class families. She constantly struggles to find herself, her place, and her voice, in a world bent on ignoring her. She is on the brink of adulthood, trying to figure out who she is and who she can trust. Recommended by a friend, Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson transported us back to high school and made us reexamine the choices we made then, and the ones we're making now. Before dissecting the book, we get into the theme of the week — mentors. What makes a good mentor? How can we get the most from mentors in our life? Alexis shares some tips she's learned from heading a mentor program and offers secrets shared by the experts. We're growing up ya'll! ... Find Alexis and Kari online: Instagram — www.instagram.com/litsocietypod/; Twitter — twitter.com/litsocietypod; Facebook — www.facebook.com/LitSocietyPod/; and our website www.LitSocietyPod.com. Get in on the conversation by using #booksanddrama.

Today, Kaytee and Mindy are discussing: Bookish Moments: books as anti-depressants, and meeting an internet friend in real life Current Reads: each of us shares three books we’ve been reading lately. Deep Dive: The books that made us sob on the floor! Book Presses: a middle grade and a WWII sob fest, to keep you going with your cathartic cries! As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you’d like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don’t scroll down!  *Please note that all book titles linked above are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*   . . . . . Bookish Moments: 2:32 - A Good Neighborhood by Therese Ann Fowler 2:33 - Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi 3:53 - Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe, NM Current Reads: 4:59 - Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper 9:13 - Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward 11:03 - Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward 11:10 - The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom 12:03 - Changeling by Molly Harper 15:14 - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling 15:43 - Notes From A Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwauchi 16:28 - Currently Reading 2020 Challenge 18:23 - Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with Recipes) by Lorna Landvik 22:15 - Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson Deep Dive - the Books that Will Make You Weep: 25:52 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman 25:55 - Far From the Tree by Robin Benway 25:59 - This Is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel 26:02 - When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 26:15 - Us Against You and Beartown by Fredrick Backman 26:25 - Castle of Water by Dane Hucklebridge 27:04 - Shogun by James Clavell 27:52 - What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty 28:44 - My Sister’s Keeper and Change of Heart by Jodi Piccoult 29:02 - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 29:52 - Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls 30:59 - Charlotte’s Web by EB White 31:14 - Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley 31:16 - Marley and Me by John Grogan 31:18 - The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 31:20 - Old Yeller by Fred Gipson 31:21 - The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins 32:04 - The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert Dejong 33:48 - Lord of the Flies by William Golding 34:14 - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 34:16 - Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippencott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis 34:26 - Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon 35:08 - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling 37:08 - When I’m Gone by Emily Bleeker 37:40 - A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara 38:41 - The Chosen by Chaim Potok 38:50 - A Single Shard by Lin Sue Park 39:23 - The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M Graff Books We Want to Press Into Your Hands: 41:55 - Nory Ryan’s Song by Patricia Reilly Giff 43:22 - Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to examine what your students need, whether it be representative books, positive attention or hygiene products, and try to find ways to meet those needs. The special agent assigned to help you with this task is LaTezeon Humphrey Balentine of Natchez, Mississippi.LaTezeon is an incredibly inspiring teacher with one of the most open and giving hearts. I found her on Twitter where she always has motivating words, and many many books to give away to teachers and students. LaTezeon recently left classroom teaching to be an educational consultant at Education Galaxy, which provides online assessment, practice and instruction for students. She also has a children’s book, called “Fur Friends” coming out on April 24, 2020, with a percentage of her sales going to an animal shelter.This interview involved a lot of firsts for me: the first interview with someone outside of Washington or British Columbia, the first online recording I’ve done, and the first time I’ve cried with my interviewee at the end of the interview. Ms. Humphrey-Balentine’s goal is to provide two $200 book scholarships to students this coming June. Lesson: Impossible is happy to give $100, and will match up to another $100 that listeners are willing to give. So, if you donate through https://venmo.com/LaTezeon-Balentine and email me at aviva.levin@gmail.com or DM me at @avivalevin with how much you gave, I will add that to the total I will donate. Latezeon has given so much of her own money and time constantly, let’s help take a little of the burden off of her shoulders!LINKS:Donate to LaTezeon’s book scholarship: https://venmo.com/LaTezeon-BalentineLaTezeon’s Website - www.lhbwithlove.comLaTezeon’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/LHBLovesEDULaTezeon’s is an Educational Consultant for Education Galaxy: https://educationgalaxy.com Books mentioned:Piecing Me Together by Renée WatsonWhat Momma Left Me by Renée WatsonThe Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake and Jason Reynolds Lesson: Impossible’s Website: www.lessonimpossible.comLesson: Impossible’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/avivalevinIf you have suggestions for a teacher that would make an inspiring Lesson: Impossible guest, please email me at aviva.levin@gmail.com

Julie Ryan and UW Director Matt attended graduate school together in Vancouver, B.C. Earlier this year, Julie reached out to Matt from her English classroom in Dunedin, New Zealand in response to The Underground Writing Podcast episode about our 2018 week-long intensive at juvenile detention. She has since started a creative writing group at St. Hilda's Collegiate School and is with us in the studio to discuss literary education and cultural shifts. LINKS OF INTEREST: kia ora, Maori greeting St. Hilda's Collegiate School in Dunedin, New Zealand International Literacy Association: 2019 Conference in New Orleans Equity in Education Renée Watson, author of Piecing Me Together and Some Places More Than Others David Kirkland, Executive Director of NYU Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools Hamish Brewer, author of RELENTLESS: Changing Lives by Disrupting the Educational Norm Jennifer Bradbury, Teaching Writer, on the Underground Writing Podcast Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds Tomas Tranströmer, poet Underground Writing: a literature-based creative writing program serving migrant, incarcerated, recovery, and other at-risk communities in northern Washington through literacy and personal transformation.

The time has come for Brenna and Joe to discuss Laurie Halse Anderson's revelatory 1999 YA bestseller, Speak, its 2004 made-for-television film adaptation starring Kristen Stewart and the recent comic with art from Emily Carroll. Joining us for some difficult conversation is Lucia Lorenzi, who helps to unpack why both book and film are so powerful and important.This episode is quite broad, and it addresses sensitive topics such as rape, suicide, depression and trauma. Many of these topics can be triggering, so we recommend listeners proceed with their own self-care in mind. Up for discussion: the humour that Anderson embeds in the text, the use of symbolism and allusions to classic lit such as The Scarlet Letter (see previous Book One episode) and why the film's ending does and doesn't work for us. Beyond the texts, we chat about the importance of institutional rules, training and creating a space for both teens and adults to  speak their own truth, as well as the issue of responsibility. It's heavy, but it's important.In homework: Joe (re)introduces The Babysitter's Coven by Kate Williams, Brenna promotes a contemporary Indigenous Hardy Boys  series called The Mighty Muskrats by Michael Hutchinson and Lucia strongly recommends Renee Watson’s Piecing Me Together, as well as the Call Number Subscription Box which is a subscription service for books by Black authors.Want to connect with the show? Use #HKHSPod on Twitter:Brenna: @brennacgrayJoe: @bstolemyremoteLucia: @empathywarriorHave something longer to say? Send an email to hkhspod@gmail.com. See you on the page and on the screen!

Book 2 is here with the beautifully written novel entitled Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. Come chat with as as we discuss the growth and evolution of Jade as she gathers the pieces of her life and discovers who she is a a black girl in today's society. #BlackGirlLit YouTube Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z0tryp837o&list=PLhP3OTRxIw6I47s0fW0qs8olcIbhM5ly9 Email BlackGirlLitYT@gmail.com Instagram www.instagram.com/blackgirllit_/ Twitter twitter.com/BlackGirlLit_

Queen & J. are two womanist race nerds talking liberation, politics, and pop-culture over tea. Drink up! On this episode… Dating a racist is not just for white people, HBCU’s are not just for Black people, and we’re in the future where technology is racist and we still can’t teleport. Doom and Gloom! Content Warning: Letter re anti-Black partner is read from minute 22:05 to 24:03 This week’s hot list: Revisiting that ‘what is a Black person’ convo we had a while back (bi-racial edition), How ignorant does your partner have to be before you break up with them? Howard University been around since 1877 but Tom and Karen got dogs that need to poop, spoiler alert - TSA scanners are racially bias, go see Rafiki, watch Beyonce’s Homecoming doc on Netflix if you like nice things. Tweet us while you listen! #teawithqj @teawithqj and add #podin on twitter to help others discover Tea with Queen and J. podcast! EPISODE SPONSOR Purple Panties podcast: https://www.purplepantiespodcast.com WEBSITE www.TeaWithQueenAndJ.com SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: twitter.com/teawithqj Instagram: Instagram.com/teawithqj Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeawithQueenandJ Tumblr: teawithqueenandj.tumblr.com EMAIL & SPONSOR INQUIRIES teawithqueenandj@gmail.com DONATE www.paypal.me/teawithqj OR www.patreon.com/teawithqj EVENTS JOIN US at #PodinLiveNYC: Podcast Meetup Saturday, 5/11 4pm FREE.99 with RSVP! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podinlivenyc-podcast-meet-up-2019-tickets-60457502016 PAY BLACK WOMEN Check out Dope Queen Cosmetics! Site: https://dopequeens.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/dopequeenscosmetics/ NOTES & EXTRA TEA Watch the trailer for Rafiki then find out where it’s playing in your city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M_-ucSaFpU Listen to Inner Hoe Uprising “A Black Interabled Love Story” featuring Brad & Noelle of @wheellifestories: https://soundcloud.com/innerhoeuprising/a-black-interabled-love-story Learn more about Brad & Noelle and Wheel Life Stories: https://www.wheellifestories.com Watch our friends Rod & Karen of The Black Guy Who Tips on Vice News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S4ND_-OcDU Book Recommendations: The Body Is Not An Apology, I’m A Pretty Little Black Girl, Piecing Me Together, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made for Whiteness, Well-Read Black Girl (an anthology) Watch “Bi-racial girl” by Sean Fury at your own risk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJu088Kd6ac TSA body scanner bias: https://www.rawstory.com/2019/04/tsa-agents-say-theyre-not-discriminating-black-women-body-scanners-might/ Howard University & Gentrification: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/439752-dc-resident-suggests-howard-university-move-the-campus-after This week’s closing clip features Diamond Stylz spreading the word about #PodinLiveNYC! First aired on her podcast Marsha’s Plate episode #78 “More House and More Understanding”: https://soundcloud.com/danella-xuc/78-more-house-and-more-understanding This episode of Tea with Queen and J. was created, hosted & produced by Janicia & Naima with engineering support by Sam Riddell Libations to our friend’s Domingo, Tokunbo, and D. Sindayiganza who help keep this show running by paying and supporting Black women. Libations to Ohene Cornelius for our show intro, keep up with him at https://ohenecornelius.com Libations to T.Flint for our News That's Not News intro! Find him at www.tflintvoiceovers.com/

Author Renée Watson talks about her prize-winning YA title, Piecing Me Together and her most recent book, Watch Us Rise (co-written with Ellen Hagan). Both look at the lived experiences of black girls as they grapple with identity right at the intersection of race, class and gender. But Renée tells stories--she's not preaching...and, as in life, her characters can respond in unexpected ways. In the podcast, we talk about what goes into writing for young adults and Renée's own trajectory as a writer, educator and performer.

Author Renée Watson talks about her prize-winning YA title, Piecing Me Together and her most recent book, Watch Us Rise (co-written with Ellen Hagan). Both look at the lived experiences of black girls as they grapple with identity right at the intersection of race, class and gender. But Renée tells stories--she's not preaching...and, as in life, her characters can respond in unexpected ways. In the podcast, we talk about what goes into writing for young adults and Renée's own trajectory as a writer, educator and performer.

Author Renée Watson talks about her prize-winning YA title, Piecing Me Together and her most recent book, Watch Us Rise (co-written with Ellen Hagan). Both look at the lived experiences of black girls as they grapple with identity right at the intersection of race, class and gender. But Renée tells stories--she's not preaching...and, as in life, her characters can respond in unexpected ways. In the podcast, we talk about what goes into writing for young adults and Renée's own trajectory as a writer, educator and performer.

Black History Month 2019 is has turned into a huge tray of burnt scones. As proper ladies, Monica & Nina have decided to turn their attention to the arts during their afternoon tea time.  **Our Current Reads:**  * "A Few Red Drops" by Claire Hartfield  * "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas  * "Piecing Me Together" by Renee Watson  * "Learning To Breathe" by Janice Lynn Mather * "The Virtue of Sin" by Shannon Schuren (BUY IT IN JUNE 2019!) **Our Current Beats: ** * Lizzo * Amber Mark * JoJo * St. Beauty  * H.E.R **Our Current Musicals: ** * Anastasia  * Fiddler on the Roof * Kinky Boots * Be More Chill (Monica accidentally calls it Lets Be Chill. Sorry!) Thank you for the continued support of Pinky and a Sip! **#PANDASpodcast** **Facebook:** Pinky and a Sip Podcast **Instagram**: @pinkyandasipodcast **Twitter:** @pinkyandasippod **Email:** pinkyandasippodcast@gmail.com **Don't forget to rate us and comment on Apple Podcast!**

Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author, educator, and activist whose latest novel for teens is Watch Us Rise, co-written with Ellen Hagan. A native of Portland, Oregon, Renée writes books for kids and teens that reflect the diversity she often found missing in books when she was a child. She recently won the Coretta Scott King Award and a Newbury Honor for Piecing Me Together. Renée is also a community advocate and the founder of the I, Too, Arts Collective, based in the home of Langston Hughes. Renée is joined by fellow author and Lesley University faculty Tracey Baptiste. Read more about Renée at our podcast episode page.

Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author of PIECING ME TOGETHER a Newberry Honor book and winner of the Coretta Scott King award, THIS SIDE OF HOME, and many others, and co-author of WATCH US RISE, out February 12. Renée is also founder and executive director of the I, Too Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization housed in the home of legendary poet Langston Hughes, committed to nurturing voices from underrepresented communities in the creative arts.   Renée Watson Show Notes Renée Watson’s first First Draft interview I, Too Arts Collective Dreamyard Community Word Project A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson Langston Hughes Kate Messner (author) Kendolyn Walker, program director at I, Too Jennifer Baker, social media director at I, Too and co-host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast Ellice Lee, graphic designer for I, Too and Associate Art Director of Philomel, Penguin Random House Tracey Baptiste SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors Ellen Hagan, poet and co-author of WATCH US RISE Black Enough, an anthology edited by Ibi Zoboi

Here's the second half of our conversation. We also get into book recommendations. Nate (accidentally) suggests Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson (he'd intended to suggest it for Poet X) and Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli. Lindsey suggests The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon. Cat mentions that students at her school read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. Cash Money suggests American Panda by Gloria Chao.

Legendary Librarian Jeanie Phillips is back on the podcast talking about what else but books! Not just any books, but how books can help educators unpack some of their privileges and connect with students. Joining her this time around is Jory Hearst, Vermont educator and six-time Green Mountain Book Awards committee member. They're discussing Renée Watson's Piecing Me Together, and what they learned from it about identity, racial microaggressions and teaching around deficit theory. A full transcript is available at https://wp.me/p4r2oE-4eo

Our smallest panel in a long time discusses The Poet X (a National Book Award Long List nominee at the time of our recording; best of luck Elizabeth Acevedo). Nathan suggests Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez. Nate suggests Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina and Piecing Me Together by Rene Watson. Lindsey suggests Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero Cash Money suggests the show Insecure.

In this episode I talk about working in Children’s Editorial and how to get your dream job, with Christine Modafferi (on Twitter @christinemodaff), Editorial Assistant for Children’s Non-Fiction at Bloomsbury. Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/publishinginsightGet in touch on Twitter @FlamFlam91 or write me an email at publishinginsight@gmail.comVisit my website: https://www.publishing-insight.com/Books mentioned: - Olobob Top: The Amazing World of Olobob Top by Leigh Hodgkinson and Steve Smith; - Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst; - The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan; - Moth by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egnéus; - We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan; - Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson.Thank you so much for listening! If you have enjoyed this episode please subscribe and share it with other people who may find it interesting as well.Portrait illustration by Ellie Beadle. Music: Dig the Uke by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. https://bit.ly/1VLy3cJ Ft: Kara Square.Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/publishinginsight)

Stephanie Sabol, Executive Director, Brand Management at Penguin Young Readers, talks about The Penguin Hotline, and writer friends share their most recommended books.  Stephanie Sabol and Book Recommendation Episode Stephanie Sabol The Penguin Hotline Who is Bruce Springsteen? by Stephanie Sabol The Who Was? series Where is the Solar System? What Was the Titanic? Jeff Kinney Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore The Graceling series by Kristin Cashore Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Turtles All the Way Down by John Green Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz Once and for All by Sarah Dessen The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr Warcross by Marie Lu (listen to her First Draft episodes here and here) Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson American Street by Ibi Zoboi I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez Here We Are: Feminism For the Real World edited by Kelly Jensen Suspect by Robert Crais Vanguard (Genesis Fleet book #1) by Jack Campbell Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor Looking for Alaska by John Green The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett World Without End by Ken Follett  A Column of Fire by Ken Follett Grant by Ron Chernow Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy Hallelujah Anyway by Annie Lamott Bird by Bird by Annie Lamott Vanishing New York: How a Great City Lost Its Soul by Jeremiah Moss Vanishing New York, the blog by Jeremiah Moss Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer, Ella Morton, Dylan Thuras Los Angeles, Portrait of a City Highbrow, Lowbrow, Brilliant, Despicable: Fifty Years of New York Magazine by The Editors of New York Magazine The Education of Margot Sánchez by Lilliam Rivera (listen to her First Draft interview here) Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson (listen to her First Draft episode here) Done Dirt Cheap by Sarah Nicole Lemon (listen to her First Draft episode here) Valley Girls by Sarah Nicole Lemon A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones (listen to her First Draft interview here)  White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg Gray Wolf Island by Tracey Neithercott On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marcheta These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore Winner Take All by Laurie Devore Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (listen to her First Draft interview here) Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser Light Years by Emily Ziff Griffin (listen to her First Draft interview here)  Sun in Days by Meghan O'Rourke The Dark Dark: Stories by Samantha Hunt Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés Piper Perish by Kayla Cagan (listen to her First Draft interview here) Marlena by Julie Buntin Gem & Dixie by Sara Zarr (listen to her First Draft interview here) The Turner House by Angela Flournoy Insecure (TV show) Mirage by Somaiya Daud (listen to her First Draft interview here) Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli Die for Me by Amy Plum (listen to her First Draft interview here) The Power by Naomi Alderman Pierre François: 5th Grade Mishaps by Laurie Ann Stephens A Song to Take the World Apart by Zan Romanoff (listen to her First Draft interview here) Grace and the Fever by Zan Romanoff Ship It by Britta Lundin Ten by Gretchen McNeil (listen to her First Draft interview here) I’m Not Your Manic Pixie Dream Girl by Gretchen McNeil  #MURDERTRENDING by Gretchen McNeil The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here) I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo All the Wind in the World by Samantha Mabry (listen to her First Draft interview here) Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe and her newest, Little and Lion, on exploring non-traditional families, her nocturnal writing schedule, and having a productive hibernation.   Brandy Colbert 2.0 Show Notes Listen to Brandy’s first First Draft interview here Dahlia Adler "The Pain of the Watermelon Joke," by Jacqueline Woodson An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michaelangelo and Me by Ellen Forney Stephanie Perkins Stephanie Kuehn (listen to her First Draft interview here)   Kelly Jensen The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Dear Martin by Nic Stone Jason Reynolds The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton American Street by Ibi Zoboi Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson Nicola Yoon (listen to her First Draft interview here) Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson Calling My Name by Liara Tamani (listen to her First Draft episode here) Madcap Retreats NCTE conference (the National Council of Teachers of English) Zadie Smith Maurene Goo (listen to her First Draft podcasts here and here, or read the transcript here) The Fug Girls, Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (listen to their First Draft podcast here) Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender (assistant editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) Nikki Garcia Assistant Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Alvina Ling,Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers “What About Intersectionality and Female Friendships in YA?,” Brandy’s post on Stacked Marie Lu (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here)  

[Sound for this episode was edited by MR Daniel. Thanks MR!] On March 29th, the nonprofit I, Too, Arts Collective held a celebratory NYC book launch for Renée Watson's new young adult novel Piecing Me Together with Renée in conversation with National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds at Langston Hughes' brownstone in East Harlem. The two read portions of their latest work; discuss creativity, legacy, and Black girlhood; and go on to answer questions from the audience. 

The super-savvy, super-smart author Renée Watson (her most recent young adult novel, PIECING ME TOGETHER, is out now!) and founder of the I, Too Arts Collective, talks taking herself seriously as a writer from a young age, creative therapy for young people, and finding people who are about something.   Renée Watson Show Notes An article about Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian student killed by three neo-Nazis in Portland. Richard Scarry's Bedtime Stories Judy Blume BEEZUS AND RAMONA by Beverly Cleary Lucille Clifton (poet) Gwendolyn Brooks (poet) Langston Hughes   Zora Neale Hurston Toni Morrison A PLACE WHERE HURRICANES HAPPEN  by Renée Watson   THIS SIDE OF HOME by Renée Watson Sarah McCarry   WHAT MOMMA LEFT ME by Renée Watson Community-Work Project (NYC education organization) DreamYard (NYC education organization) Christian Robinson, illustrator Meg Medina Jason Reynolds I, Too Arts Collective Langston Hughes, “I, Too”