28 Days Year: 2009

While we’re happy to be featuring Julius Lester as one of our Vanguard authors, the word Vanguard doesn’t even come close to describing the type of career he’s had. Lester has published over forty books and his novels have received numerous honors, including the Newbery Honor Medal, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, National Book Award [ Read the full article… ]

Even though most authors fall more along the lines of padding into the office to write with flannel PJ’s or sweat pants and bed head – writer, Tia Williams is all about glam and fab. As a former Beauty Director at Teen People and writer on fashion and beauty at some of the most popualr [ Read the full article… ]

Last fall, when I received a copy of No Mush Today, written by Sally Derby and illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, I was wowed by the story and art. I hoped for an opportunity to feature Nicole in some way, so when her name turned up repeatedly during our nomination process for 28 Days Later 2009, [ Read the full article… ]

Like the trailblazers in her picture books, Crystal Hubbard knows what it means to beat the odds. As a child, she struggled with chronic asthma. That could have meant sports were out of reach.  But Crystal went on to overcome that challenge and not only excel at sports, but develop a passion for them. Her determination and desire to share the [ Read the full article… ]

It’s not unheard of for authors to wear two hats and be a “slash.” Author/Lawyer. Author/Doctor. Author/Teacher. Although many writers draw from their other full-time job to enhance their fiction, most are counting down the days to shed that job so author becomes their sole profession. But Sharon Draper, bestselling author and five-time winner of [ Read the full article… ]