Author Gene Luen Yang and actor/producer Daniel Wu came to Yu Ming Charter School to talk about their graphic novel and Disney+ show “American Born Chinese”. The middle schoolers had endless questions about the story’s themes of immigration, family, and feeling othered, as well as writing, cartooning, acting, and of course Kung Fu. Thank you Gene for accepting our invitation, and Daniel for complying with yet another big sister (and niece) request!
I really related to Anderson cooper’s podcast “All There Is” and highly recommend it. His experiences with loss and grief resonated with me as I too have lost a mother, a father, and a brother. I have also kept my parents alive in my memory by sorting through their lifetime accumulated belongings, as he did. His perspective was unique in that he also explored and processed his grief by way of his interviewing skills. The conversations with Kirsten Johnson and Elizabeth Alexander were my favorite.
I’ve been an admirer and subscriber of the Bellevue Literary Review for years. It’s a literary journal, started at Bellevue Hospital in New York, which focuses on the body, health, illness and especially the vulnerability and strength of the human condition. The current issue #41 features the beautiful poem “Mother-Love” by my workshop-mate Maya Kini.
All of us have been affected in some way by the immense strain the pandemic has had on our health care system. Truthful and eye-opening article in the New York Times about the particular challenges for our elder population and palliative care, especially relevant for those of us with aging parents or loved ones. Thank you for all you do, Dr. Helen Kao.
Sometimes the well is just…dry. It’s okay to take breaks. Rest and rejuvenation is good for the creative soul.
Award-winning journalist and writer Ellen Lee has created a new blog and newsletter,Second Generasian. It focuses on parenting from an Asian-American perspective and tackles fiercely sobering questions and more: How do we as Asian-Americans see ourselves in society? Can we process our struggles and our successes as a community? What do we tell our children about AAPI violence and hate crimes?
What a full schedule of events, with such diverse panels and discussions including some of my favorite MG and YA authors – Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Judy Blume. Sadly, we might have to live with the virtual conference format for now. On the brighter side, it’s kind of fun to watch speakers with their cute babies.
In these difficult times, poetry may be more powerful and important than ever. I recently enjoyed these poems published in The Sun . I especially loved the language, images, humor, and OMG the humanity of “The Pandemic Halo”, by Jim Moore.
Though author Joanne Rocklin currently cannot give one of her fun readings for Good Guys, Bad Guys right now, I’m happy to have just received my copy, delivered to my front door by our great local independent bookstore. Check out this review of her lively verse story! https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4197-3417-5
Congratulations to Susan Meyers on the publication of her adorable picture book, “Hooray for Babies!”. And the New York Times likes it too. My new baby shower go-to book!
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/books/review/best-baby-books-amy-schwartz-atinuke.html
My friend Joanne Rocklin’s new middle-grade book, Love, Penelope, with illustrations by Lucy Knisley, is now available!
The book’s heroine, eleven-year old Penny, writes letters to her unborn sibling during the 2014-2015 Golden State Warriors winning season. Her year of diary entries also covers the months leading to the 2015 Supreme Court decision which lifted same-sex marriage bans nationwide.
I have learned so much about writing for children from Joanne. Like Penny, I am also a die-hard Warriors fan and could not help but cheer her on, page by page. Go Dubs!!
Jane Bahk’s beautiful picture book, Juna’s Jar, has been set to music. The story was narrated with accompaniment by the Sonnet Ensemble (original score by composer Mark Fish) at their spring concert.
Congratulations Jane!
Happy 2018! I am ready for some peace on earth this year, bring it on please!
I just returned from SCBWI’s annual New York Conference. It was great seeing old friends and meeting so many talented authors and illustrators. The workshops, gatherings, and keynotes by Dan Santat and Angie Thomas gave me much inspiration for my chapter book-in-progress, Growing Pains. It was also a great excuse to get dressed up in gold.
It’s nice to be back, but I guess it’s now time to get to work…