I’m so excited to share the news that Born Behind Bars is a Junior Library Guild Selection! And it received it’s first review – a wonderful STAR – from Kirkus:
” This compelling novel develops at a brisk pace, advanced by evocative details and short chapters full of action… A gritty story, filled with hope and idealism.” * Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
If you’d like to listen to an excerpt of me reading the BORN BEHIND BARS audiobook, here’s a link to Penguin’s Listening Library Page. If you’d like to read more about the novel, including an excerpt, here’s the link to Penguin’s page for BORN BEHIND BARS.
I’m looking forward to my keynote address for the Montana State Literacy Association, during which I’ll be addressing questions of diversity (which I’ll also be speaking about today during my first panel with the amazing Molly Ness and Elizabeth Blye at nErD camp PA today; and which I also spoke about during my keynote conversation earlier this month for the Writers On Writing – WOW -conference). I though I’d list some of my articles on diversity, that I’ll be referring to during the keynote, in case attendees wish to read them. More links to diverse resources are available via the website’s diversity page (resources drop down menu), which will be updated regularly.
Accept, Don’t Tolerate. Invited article contributed to Kirkus Reviews, outlining thoughts on Religious Diversity in Literature for Young People.
Weeding Out Racism’s Invisible Roots. Invited article contributed to School Library Journal, about reconsidering the place of children’s classics.
Why the White House’s Plan to Cut Diversity Training Workshops Should Upset Educators Everywhere in Our Nation. Invited article for Dr. Steve Bickmore’s YA Wednesday blog, that I wrote in 2020, which contains relevant suggestions about diversity training (a little known fact – one of the many things I did before I became an author was to direct diversity efforts at URI’s graduate school; indeed, I’ve been actively involved in diversity efforts ever since I came to this country for graduate school).
Traveling Without A Ticket: Using Global Narratives to Learn About Other Cultures Without Othering Them. Invited article about the importance of international literature, published on Nerdy Book Club’s Blog.
Our American Constellation. Invited essay for NPR’S Mosaic RadioHour Podcast.
The importance of multicultural and diverse books. Invited essay for NPR’s This I Believe New England.
Finally, if you’d like to pre-order a copy of BORN BEHIND BARS, here’s the link.
That’s it from me, today. Hope you’re having a safe and healthy and wonderful summer. Thank you for your support of my work!