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Children's Institute 2024: It Takes a Village: PW Talks with Meg Medina
Medina, the current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, spoke with PW about how the village really does raise a child, and her memory of firing a beloved babysitter when she was young.
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Children's Institute 2024: Growing New Roots: PW Talks with Ruth Chan
Chan, whose immigrant parents returned the family to Hong Kong after years in Toronto, reflects on the memoir form, culture shock, and getting over teenage insecurities.
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Children's Institute 2024: One Man's Treasure: PW Talks with Andrew Larsen
Larsen spoke with PW about upcycling, the anthropological significance of garbage, and his forthcoming picture book 'Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away.'
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Children's Institute 2024: Lift Every Voice and Sing: PW Talks with Cheryl Willis Hudson
Hudson, the co-founder of Just Us Books and a children’s book author, spoke with PW about the enduring impact both of African-American spirituals and of BIPOC indie presses.
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In Conversation: Catherine Con Morse and Ellen Oh
We asked Catherine Con Morse and Ellen Oh to discuss their new YA novels and the importance of authentic Asian American representation in children's literature.
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Four Questions for Michael Ruhlman
PW spoke with Michael Ruhlman about his inspiration, experiences, and influences in bringing his culinary expertise to his YA debut, 'If You Can't Take the Heat.'
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Homefront Heroines: New Kids' Books Explore Hidden Wartime History
We spoke with the authors of three new books for young readers that shine the light on some of the lesser-known stories of civilian ingenuity and bravery during World Wars I and II—women and teens who contributed to the war efforts in their own invaluable way.
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We Save Us: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow on Collective Joy as Resistance
Author and educator Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow reflects on the personal classroom experiences that inspired her new picture book, 'Sister Friend,' illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani, about two students of color who find comfort and community together in their majority white school.
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Q & A with Laurie Morrison
PW spoke with Laurie Morrison about how her own tween years and her teaching experience influence her writing, and what her hopes are for her students and readers who are just trying to survive middle school.
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Q & A with Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Faith Schaffer
Female samurai with cell phones and wi-fi turn feudal Japan upside down in Maggie Tokuda-Hall's YA graphic novel 'The Worst Ronin,' illustrated by animator Faith Schaffer, who is making her publishing debut.
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Debut YA Author on Drawing from Her Background as Social Worker
In her debut YA romance, 'I Wish You Would,' Eva Des Lauriers brings insight from her firsthand experience serving teenagers as a clinical social worker.
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AAPI Heritage Month 2024: Q&As with Six Children's Authors on Embracing Their Culture
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we asked six authors to discuss their new and forthcoming books for young readers and the importance of highlighting their culture through literature.
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Q & A with Pablo Cartaya
Baseball-playing middle schooler Elena navigates familial pressures and burnout in 'Curveball,' a middle grade graphic novel written by Pablo Cartaya, in his graphic novel debut.
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Q & A with Alison McGhee
Author Alison McGhee examines death and grief with a speculative twist in her upcoming middle grade novel 'Telephone of the Tree.'
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Q & A with Vera Brosgol
Caldecott Honoree and Eisner Award winner Vera Brosgol upends "The Little Mermaid" and sets it against a Dickensian backdrop in 'Plain Jane and the Mermaid,' her new middle grade graphic novel.
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Four Questions for Tracy Wolff
Best known for her romantasy novels, author Tracy Wolff returns to the world of her bestselling YA fantasy series Crave in the spinoff 'Sweet Nightmare,' the first in the Calder Academy series.
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Q & A with Lauren Roberts
BookTokker and bestselling romantasy author Lauren Roberts's latest YA book 'Powerful' takes place during the events of her debut YA fantasy series launch 'Powerless,' which Simon & Schuster released in 2023 following its initial run as a self-published novel.
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Four Questions for Cleo Wade
In her new picture book, 'May You Love and Be Loved,' poet Cleo Wade combines hope-affirming wishes for life with whimsical pen, ink, and watercolor sketches—her first foray into illustrating.
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In Conversation: Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt
We asked Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt to discuss the inspiration for their middle-grade anthology 'A Little Bit Super,' and their collaboration as co-editors.
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Q & A with Stacey Lee
Following the conclusion of her middle grade fantasy duology, the Winston Chu books, Stacey Lee returns to her historical YA roots with murder mystery novel 'Kill Her Twice,' which takes place in 1932 Chinatown Los Angeles.