Sharon M. Draper on Sharing the Joy of Words
Sharon M. Draper’s biography includes details as extraordinary as the characters she’s created. She’s been named the National Teacher of the Year, traveled the world, and written several [...]
James Ponti: Blending Up Mystery, Adventure, and Humor
Given the number of bestseller and award lists James Ponti’s books have been featured on, it might seem like he’s earned the chance to take a break. Instead, the creator of several enormously [...]
Peter Sís: Books Are Portals to Another Dimension
Epic historical events inspired some of Peter Sís’s most celebrated books, including titles such as Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued (Norton, 2021) and the [...]
I Do Believe in Spooks!
One of my favorite movies of all time is the classic “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. A memorable scene in the movie for me is when the four new friends enter the Haunted Forest on [...]
Meg Eden Kuyatt: Writing About Feelings “Too Big for Prose”
Books can serve as mirrors for readers who are looking for authentic reflections of their own experiences. In Good Different (Scholastic, 2023)—Meg Eden Kuyatt’s debut novel-in-verse—the book [...]
David Bowles: “Young Protagonists Are Our Very Best Teachers”
David Bowles’ character “Fasting Coyote”—based on the real life of poet and ruler Nezahualcoyotl—pulled off many of his amazing accomplishments while still a teenager, so it’s little wonder that [...]
Maysoon Zayid: Giving Children the Armor They Need to Shine
Maysoon Zayid’s online bio offers an inspiring range of credentials: “co-founder of the Muslim Funny Fest,” “disability advocate,” and “recurring character on General Hospital.” Clearly, Zayid is [...]
Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass: Living Inside the Same Story
What happens when you add together the writing power of two bestselling children’s storytellers? A book that is greater than the sum of its parts, of course! The Lost Library (Feiwel and Friends, [...]
