Cynthia Leitich Smith's Blog, page 23
February 24, 2023
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2023).
Author/Illustrator InsightsDay 15 Throwback: London Ladd (Then & Now) by Tameka Fryer Brown from The Brown Bookshelf. Peek: “I try to inspire the kids to persistently reach for their dreams no matter their circumstance. I share with them the struggles that I expe...
February 23, 2023
Throwback Thursday: Jane Sutton on Revisiting a Theme
Congratulations to Jane Sutton on Gracie Brings Back Bubbe’s Smile, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia (Albert Whitman, 2022). Kirkus Reviews called the book “A tender reminder that family and culture can buoy us after loss.”
Take a look back at Jane’s first Cynsations guest post from 2010.
Guest Post: Jane Sutton on Revisiting a Theme
By Jane Sutton
My friend Fay called after reading my latest picture book. I basked in her praise of its humor and charm until she observed: “All your books have the ...
February 22, 2023
Author Interview: Lyn Miller-Lachmann on Multiple Point-of-View & Torch
I recently read Lyn Miller-Lachmann‘s young adult historical novel, Torch (Carolrhoda Lab, 2022), and am eager for Lyn to share her insights on writing in multiple points of view with Cynsations readers. First, from the promotional copy:
Czechoslovakia, 1969
Seventeen-year-old Pavol has watched his country’s freedoms disappear in the wake of the Soviet Union’s invasion. He’s seen his own dreams disappear too. In a desperate, fatal act of protest against the oppressive new go...
February 21, 2023
Guest Post: Varsha Bajaj on being a Global Read Aloud Author
By Varsha Bajaj
In March of 2022, I learned that Thirst (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022) was a Global Read Aloud pick. GRA was created in 2010 by extraordinary educator, Pernille Ripp, with a simple goal in mind; one book to connect the world. GRA has deservedly grown to make global connections and millions of students have participated.
This image from a teacher-created Padlet shows schools around the world reading Thirst as part of the Global Read Aloud.Ms. Ripp, an educator from Denmark [who now...
February 17, 2023
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole, Bree Bender and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: You So Black by Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D., illustrated by London Ladd (Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023).
Author/Illustrator InsightsChatting With Authors Chiquita Mullins Lee and Carmella Van Vleet and Illustrator Jennifer Mack-Watkins (You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce) by Cherokee Crum from YA Books Central. Peek: [Chiquita ...
February 16, 2023
Throwback Thursday: Patricia Morris Buckley on the WNDB Native Children’s-YA Writing Intensive
Congratulations to Patricia Morris Buckley (Mohawk) on the publication of The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller, illustrated by Aphelandra Messer (Oneida)(Random House Books for Young Readers, Feb 07, 2023). From the promotional copy:
In 1985, Wilma Pearl Mankiller became the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She had to convince her people that the chief should be the best person for the job.
Before the English came to what is now the United States, Cherokee wo...
February 15, 2023
Guest Post: Sara Greenwood on Writing from Real Life & My Brother Is Away
I’ve written a few of books over the years, but My Brother Is Away [illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Random House Studio, 2022)] is my first attempt to write from my own life story. When I was in first grade, my brother was arrested. He was released from prison when I was in eighth.
It was a lonely time for me, filled with many confusing emotions. While My Brother Is Away isn’t an exact representation of those early days after my brother’s arrest, it certainly reflects them.
Years...
February 14, 2023
Author Interview: Carmen Oliver Shares Insights on Nonfiction, Balance & Building an Orchestra of Hope
I recently chatted with Austin author Carmen Oliver about her latest release—Building an Orchestra of Hope: How Favio Chavez Taught Children to Make Music from Trash, illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Eerdmans, 2022)—and finding balance, given the many hats she wears. In the photo above, she’s pictured with Favio Chavez at the The Stapleton Branch of The New York Public Library.
What inspired you to write Building an Orchestra of Hope?
I have a passion for stories where ordinary ...
February 10, 2023
Cynsational News
By Cynthia Leitich Smith, Gayleen Rabakukk, Suma Subramaniam, A.J. Eversole and Gail Vannelli for Cynsations
Spotlight Image: We Are Here by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Orchard Books, 2023).
Author/Illustrator InsightsDoug Salati’s Caldecott Win: The Ultimate “Hot Dog!” Moment by Sally Lodge from Publishers Weekly. Peek: “I still feel very much in the apprenticeship stage and know I have so much to learn, but I think that a good takeaway for all of us making books and for kids ...
February 9, 2023
Throwback Thursday: Charlotte Sullivan Wild on Creating Love (When Work Isn’t Enough)
Congratulations to author Charlotte Sullivan Wild and illustrator Charlene Chua on Love, Violet (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2022) winning the Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award.
It is given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. The award is sponsored by the American Library Association’s Rainbow Round Table.
Take a look back at Charl...
