How do writers shape and inform stories depicting a culture other than their own? Margaret Chang, who married into a Chinese family, offers insights based on her experience as a writer, teacher, critic, librarian, and member of a supportive community that advocates for cross-cultural understanding.
Margaret Chang, a former children’s librarian, holds an MA in Children’s Literature and for 17 years taught college courses in children’s literature. With her Chinese-born husband, she has published four children’s books set in China, and an introduction to the Chinese language. A longtime reviewer for School Library Journal, she served on two American Library Association award committees: the 2005 Caldecott and the 2007 Batchelder. Chang was also a judge for the 6th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. She is now on the Board of Directors for USBBY, an organization promoting international understanding through children’s books. Her most recent book is Celia’s Robot. Listen to a podcast with Margaret Chang.
The library is located at 1270 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, WA
Opening Windows to the World, Seattle, November 16 and 17, 2012
An invitation from the National Council for the Social Studies: The nation's largest professional organization for social studies education will hold its annual convention in Seattle on November 16 and 17, 2012. Authors of middle grade and young adult contemporary fiction or historical fiction are invited to submit a proposal for a one-hour session on their book. The format for “Conversation with an Author” is a brief presentation on the book and then a dialogue with the audience. Authors selected will be invited to sign/sell their books immediately following their presentation at an exhibit booth or other pre-designated area. Conference registration is not required for authors selected to be part of this series.
Proposal forms will be available from March 1 – 31, 2012. Here is the website for more information.
Good News and a big round of applause for Trudi Trueit! Ruckus Media Group and Scholastic, which teamed up in September of 2011 to launch a new children's transmedia imprint, has optioned the rights to sell her Julep O'Toole series in e-book! The digital books will be part of Ruckus' 2012 spring list, and includes all three books in the series: CONFESSIONS OF A MIDDLE CHILD, MISS INDEPENDENT, and WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT. Trudi is over the moon about this opportunity. So be sure to look for Julep O'Toole for your e-reader coming soon! Wonder if she'll become an animated app?
The Crystal Kite Awards are given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators each year to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world. Along with the SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, the Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers. Each member of SCBWI is allowed to vote for their favorite book from a nominated author in their region that was published in the previous calendar year. You can find out more information here on the SCBWI website.
