Monica Edinger's Blog, page 3

My Latest New York Times Reviews Are On Fantasy Books, Baby!

Beloved by young readers, speculative fiction often gets a very different reception from grown-ups, some of whom lament that such books lack the depth of literary fiction, especially if — horrors! — they are popular ones in a series. It took a tsunami of media attention to get such adults to capitulate to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books and, once they did, they raved about the series as an exception, seemingly unaware of its distinguished lineage. Fortunately, others feel differently, awar...

Thoughts on Newbery: This Monday’s Announcements

I was delighted to be in the room where it happened (well, where it was announced) this year in Seattle. I was 2nd in line due to the energy of my roommate, the irrepressible Susannah Richards, who — as she does — helped the ALSC and convention center staff — manage the line. Meanwhile, I ate donuts offered by another front-liner, agent Barry Greenblatt, and had some fantastic conversations with members of this year’s Notables committee and others.

Oh, and also was talked into this photo. Why...

Thoughts on Newbery: Hopes for 2019

This past year has been an odd one for me in terms of Newbery possibilities. You see, I’m chairing the Boston Globe-Horn Book award committee and we consider books published in an unusual timeframe: June 2018 — May 2019. As a result, I’ve had to focus my attention on books that came out the second part of last year. I did read a number of the earlier ones in ARCs before that, but not as many as I would have otherwise. So with that caveat here are some titles I’d be happy to see recognized a w...

Fabulous Upcoming Conference: “Diverse Voices in Latinx Children’s Literature”

This one-day conference at Bank Street College here in NYC looks amazing and I plan to attend. You can register here.

The Center for Children’s Literature at Bank Street College of Education is thrilled to announce its second mini-conference focusing on Latinx Children’s Literature.  The event will take place this year at Bank Street’s 112th Street address.

Author and illustrator  Duncan Tonatiuh will be our keynote speaker.

Duncan is the recipient of the Pura Belpré and Sibert medals as...

Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility

In 2011 white educator, scholar, and diversity trainer Robin DiAngelo coined the term “white fragility” to describe white folks’ responses to discussions around race, especially when asked to consider their own racism. Now she has taken her long experience and knowledge to create a potent publication: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Crisp, to the point and chock-a-block with useful information, DiAngelo digs deeply and effectively into the difficulties...

And Now, Sir Philip Pullman!

Congratulations, Philip!

Author Philip Pullman has said he is “very surprised and honoured” after being awarded a knighthood.

The Oxford-based writer of the His Dark Materials trilogy has been recognised in the New Year Honours for his services to literature.

Pullman, 72, said he was “proud” to be in the company of many people he admired.

Pullman, who studied English at Exeter College, Oxford, is in the middle of writing a new trilogy of novels.

In a statement, he said: “I believe the profes...

Megan Whalen Turner’s The Queen’s Thief Series: An Appreciation

I first encountered Megan Whalen Turner‘s remarkable Eugenides in her 1997 Newbery Honor The Thief.  I was hooked and, since then, have read and reread this title and the following four in The Queen’s Thief series: The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, A Conspiracy of Kings, and Thick as Thieves. Now, in preparation for the May 2019 publication of The Return of the Thief, the finale of the series, I have just finished listening to the first five. While I have reread the books numerous ti...

A White Teacher’s Reflections on Attending POCC (NAIS’s People of Color Conference)

My New York City private school has supported faculty and staff attendance at NAIS’s People of Color Conference for many years. For those unfamiliar with it here is their overview:

The NAIS People of Color Conference is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools’ commitment to equity and justice in teaching and learning. The mission of the conference is to provide a safe space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all...

Learning to Do Better as a White Ally at NAIS’s POCC

This week I will be attending NAIS’s People of Color Conference after having heard about it for years from my POC friends and colleagues. Participating in some incredible workshops led by some of our high school students who had attended in previous years and being told that there was space for white allies had me eager to go. And so now I am, hoping to learn, listen, and to come back a better ally for my school community and outside as well.  If anyone familiar with the conference has recomm...

Orisha Priest Jaye Winmilawe’s Review of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone

The rave reviews and accolades for Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone have been many. And while I too appreciated the book, I did wonder how someone who practiced Orisha and came from the culture being represented would feel about it. And so I was very pleased to read Jaye Winmilawe’s insightful review in Africa Access Review. She begins:

Adeyemi’s ashe or power as a writer is expressed in the success of her debut novel Children of Blood and Bone. She was awarded a groundbreaking seven...