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… ]
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… ]
I recently received advanced copies of Ron’s Big Mission (Dutton, 2009), my most recently illustrated book! It is written by Corrine Naden and the late Rose Blue. I was just as excited last week opening the mail, as I was 20 years ago when first received advanced copies of a book I’d illustrated. My first [ Read the full article… ]
A little over a year ago, I, along with four of my colleagues in the kid-lit industry, joined together to form The Brown Bookshelf – an online community charged with highlighting both established and up-and-coming African-American children’s and YA authors and illustrators. Our 2008 – 28 Days Later Campaign was a huge success, and I’m [ Read the full article… ]
The Freedom Business Including A Narrative of the Life of Venture, a Narrative of Africa Poems by Marilyn Nelson Art by Deborah Dancy Published by Wordsong Poetry Ages: 11–14 Grades: 6–9 Pages: 72 Broteer Furro was born the son of royalty. His father was the Prince of the Tribe of Dukandarra, in Africa. At the [ Read the full article… ]
Dr. Jonda McNair, assistant professor of reading education at Clemson University, is the creator of an innovative program that celebrates African-American children’s literature. Her family literacy project, I Never Knew There Were So Many Books About Us: Parents and Children Reading African-American Children’s Literature Together, used monthly workshops to model for parents engaging read-aloud techniques and teach children ways to respond to books [ Read the full article… ]
Priscilla and the Hollyhocks Written by Anne Broyles Illustrated by Anna Alter Published by Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc., 2008 Priscilla dreamed of freedom, a dream to be fulfilled, but only after the loss of her mother, and after toiling through the life of a slave. When Priscilla was very young, her mother was sold away, “like [ Read the full article… ]