The picture book They Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park tells the history of a historic park in Houston, Texas that is connected to the origins of the holiday known as Juneteenth—in the park’s own voice. Author Tonya Duncan Ellis sat down with illustrator Jenin Mohammed to discuss their creative processes.
Jessica Vitalis' own life inspired her historical fiction novel-in-verse, Unsinkable Cayenne, available on October 29. Read on to hear about her story and why she felt it was important to share with middle grade readers today.
Author Tina Cho shares the inspiration behind her middle grade historical fiction graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow, illustrated by Deb JJ Lee. Told through poetic text, this graphic novel tells the story of two young North Korean refugees whose lives become intertwined as they make their way toward a better life.
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s latest novel, On a Wing and a Tear, goes on sale September 17. Here, Cynthia and her editor, Rosemary Brosnan, talk about the novel and the imprint they co-founded, Heartdrum.
Author Cindy L. Rodriguez shares the inspiration behind her middle grade novel, Lola Reyes is So Not Worried. Mental health is front of mind for so many educators, librarians, and caregivers. In Lola Reyes, there are worries both tangible (in the form of worry dolls come to life) and intangible, like those about food insecurity and changing friendships. Read on to hear about the power of responding to a child's worry with empathy and help.
Author Nadia Hashimi shares the inspiration behind her debut novel for teens, Spilled Ink. The story follows an Afghan American teenager grappling with racism in her small town. Discover her journey below and delve into a novel that promises to spark meaningful conversations among your teen readers.
In August of 1947, the British government made a decision to partition the colony of India. All Muslims would move to the newly created Pakistan while Hindus would be in the newly-independent nation of India. This decision led to the largest migration in human history, with millions of people suddenly forced to leave their homes and large-scale loss of life.
Today, on India's Independence day, Author Ritu Hemnani shares the inspiration behind her middle grade novel in verse, Lion of the Sky.
In August of 1947, the British government hastily drew a line across the map of India, splitting it in two as part of its plan for independence. With Partition declared, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim families who had lived peacefully as neighbors for generations were torn apart by the newly created atmosphere of hostility and suspicion. In search of safety, many Muslim families became refugees in the newly created country of Pakistan while Hindu and Sikh families traced the opposite journey towards the newly-independent nation of India. This unilateral colonial decision led to the largest migration in human history, with millions of people suddenly forced to leave their homes and large-scale loss of life.
Today, on the anniversary of the Independence of Pakistan, Author Saadia Faruqi shares the inspiration behind her middle grade novel, The Partition Project and why it is so important to continue to teach the Partition to children today.
Kim Smith is the author of perennial STEM favorite Boxitects and has brought us another tasty treat of a STEM book with Baker Makers. We asked her to talk a little bit about how science and baking go hand-in-hand and her own experiments with concocting sweet treats in the kitchen.
Terri Libenson is the bestselling and award-winning creator of the Emmie & Friends series. As an author who spends a lot of time visiting children in schools and libraries across the country, Terri took a moment to reflect on how her relationship with libraries has evolved over the years. Her latest book, Always Anthony, comes out on May 7!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Maggie Smith, poet and author of My Thoughts Have Wings sat down to talk about anxiety, especially in our youngest readers, and how to soothe anxious thoughts at bedtime and all the time.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It's a time to shed the stigma, to acknowledge the struggles, and to celebrate the brave steps taken every day towards better mental health. Whether you're navigating your own mental health journey or supporting someone who is, books are a wonderful tool for finding the ways to express how you're feeling and fostering empathy. We invited author Renee Beauregard Lute, author of the upcoming middle grade title Dinner at the Brake Fast to share insight into her own journey as well as the inspiration behind her book.
Thousands of children are adopted in the United States each year, and yet stories featuring adoption are still rare. Joanna Ho, author of the award winning Eyes that Kiss in the Corners joined educator and transracial adoptee Liz Kleinrock to pen a story that honors the unique experiences and joys of growing up adopted.
The Holiday Season is just around the corner, so we enlisted author Liz Kleinrock to talk to us more about the inspiration for her book Come and Join Us which features 18 holidays celebrated throughout the year and around the world.
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we reached out to author Emily Bowen Cohen to tell us about her experience growing up Native outside of her tribal community and the impact books, teachers, and librarians had.
Award-winning author Ibi Zoboi talks about her experience immigrating to the United States from Haiti and her evolving relationship with US History and the Constitution. Learn more about Zoboi's latest novel, Nigeria Jones, by checking out our Behind the Book...
Sally J. Pla's newest title, The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn, features a main character with autism who is learning to cope with major life changes, family secrets, and finding her own voice. Read on to hear from Sally...
By Gary D. Schmidt I’m approaching the transition from a life of full-time university teaching to a life of full-time writing, and while I thought that leaving the formal classroom might mean real grief—and there is some of that—I’m feeling...
When I was young, I liked to hide. Literally in the closet. I felt safest there, with a flashlight, reading my books in peace. In the closet, I could be alone, my head filled with whatever adventure was on the...
