Jewell Parker Rhodes's Blog

New York Times did a piece about the dwindling survivors of the Tulsa Race Riot:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/us/...

My novel, MAGIC CITY is about this race riot. The Governor gave orders to drop dynamite and destroy the Greenwood community (at the time, the most prosperous African American community in America). Typical of the twenties, a black youth was charged with assaulting a white women. The white woman, Sara Page, testified in court that nothing happened; yet, she was run out of of town and declared by the newspapers a "loose woman" (though, in less polite terms!). They tried to hang the young man, Dick Rowland, but African American veterans of World War I did a civil protest and the riot was sparked.

In my novel, through alternating points of view, I try to show how hatred diminishes us all, and celebrate how a man and woman both stood up, found their voice, and said, "this is not right."

Just discovered this slideshow on the International Reading Association's 2011 Notable Books for a Global Society.

I'm proud that NINTH WARD is part of the list. Words really do have power to shape a world.

http://www.slideshare.net/hildebka/no...


Ninth Ward

What I've been reading-though I haven't updated all in Goodreads!

http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue....

Dear All,
In 2003, I was honored as Go On Girl Author of the Year for my novel, Douglass' Women.

For the GOG Book Club 20th Anniversary celebration, I' ve been nominated as "Best Historical Author." I am so happy and I'm planning to be in DC, May 21 for the Award ceremony. Wish me luck!

http://jewellparkerrhodes.com/ecards/...

Douglass' Women

I am so humbled, thrilled, over the moon by the Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award for NINTH WARD.

Lanesha's voice, my protagonist, came to me as a gift. "Tell my story," she seemed to say. Mama Ya Ya, who reminds me of my own grandmother, said, "Tell about what we all need to survive." Love, friendship, and faith.

So, I did my best: and Mama Ya Ya's saying, "The universe shines down with love" has come true for me as an author. Thank you ALA and the CSK Award committee. Thank you to readers who believed in NINTH WARD. Thank you to the GOODREADS community for supporting me and all the other writers trying to write truthfully and passionately.

Sending love back to everyone!

Jewell

asunews.asu.edu/20110110_kingaward

I am honored to have NINTH WARD selected by School Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2010. Yipee!
I have read some of the books on the list but my holiday gift to myself is to read them all. Ah, heaven!

I am guest blogger for "about a word" this week - it a blogspot created by glorious poet, Ruth Ellen Kocher. Check it out!

http://www.aboutaword.blogspot.com

Today I had fun being on the Today Show. It rocked!

I was so nervous. The children who asked questions for Al Roker's Book Club were simply wonderful and charming. Their spirits soothed me and I felt given their energy and intelligence, that the world was going to be all right. I felt inside a special place--where kids's magic ruled.

Here's our video. Please share, if you wish.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/2618489...


Ninth Ward

I'm just beginning research for two new books and I feel as though my head is bursting. I'm delving back into historical era books and I just love learning about people, culture, and societies, in greater depth. Being a writer as well as a reader means life-long learning.

I wish I was like a cat and had nine lives to do all the learning that I want to do!

Dear All,

I've always wanted to write a children's book. If it weren't for books and my grandmother, I don't think I would've grown up believing that the universe was filled with grace, beauty, and love. Deep thanks to all the teachers and librarians who gave me great books. Deep thanks to all the booksellers who now carry my books. What goes around has finally come around...I'm so proud to have written a book for children. JPR



http://www.indiebound.org/book/978031...