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Cenzontle/Mockingbird: Songs of Empowerment by Daniel Garcia Ordaz

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Cenzontle/Mockingbird: Songs of Empowerment by Daniel Garcia Ordaz

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A spoken-word poet, Garcia Ordaz is also a teacher in Deep South Texas where Spanish and English have historically collided. Both these languages in Garcia Ordaz's mouth, though, join together to form a hybrid, third language that is the beginning of the healing of what Gloria Anzaldua refers to as the "herida abierta" or open wound that is life on the South Texas/Mexico border. Included in this YA edition of this collection is a teacher's guide and writing prompts for young poets.

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Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

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Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

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https://www.thanhhalai.com/inside-out-and-back-again

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"Open this book, read it slowly to savor the delicious language. This is a book that asks the reader to be careful, to pay attention, to sigh at the end."
-Kathi Appelt, bestselling author of Newbery Honor Book The Underneath
"Based in Lai's personal experience, this first novel captures a child-refugee's struggle with rare honesty. Written in accessible, short free-verse poems, Hà's immediate narrative describes her mistakes-both humorous and heartbreaking; and readers will be moved by Hà's sorrow as they recognize the anguish of being the outcast."
-Booklist (starred review)
"The taut portrayal of Hà's emotional life is especially poignant as she cycles from feeling smart in Vietnam to struggling in the States, and finally regains academic and social confidence. An incisive portrait of human resilience."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An enlightening, poignant and unexpectedly funny novel in verse. In her not-to-be-missed debut, Lai evokes a distinct time and place and presents a complex, realistic heroine whom readers will recognize, even if they haven't found themselves in a strange new country."
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"American and Vietnamese characters alike leap to life through the voice and eyes of a ten-year-old girl-a protagonist so strong, loving, and vivid I longed to hand her a wedge of freshly cut papaya."
-Mitali Perkins, author of Bamboo People
"Lai's spare language captures the sensory disorientation of changing cultures as well as a refugee's complex emotions and kaleidoscopic loyalties."

"Ha's voice is full of humor and hope."
-School Library Journal (starred review)
"In this free-verse narrative, Lai is sparing in her details, painting big pictures with few words and evoking abundant visuals."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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"Open this book, read it slowly to savor the delicious language. This is a book that asks the reader to be careful, to pay attention, to sigh at the end." -Kathi Appelt, bestselling author of Newbery Honor Book The Underneath "Based in Lai's personal experience, this first novel captures a child-refugee's struggle with rare honesty.

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https://lesleanewman.com/

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Welcome to my website, where you can learn about all things Lesléa: books I write, presentations I offer, mentoring services, and more! I started my literary career by publishing poems in Seventeen magazine when I was a teenager and I never looked back. Some of my best known titles are: October Mourning: A Song for...

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Students can share poetry that moves them to create collaborative readings. Here is an example of the poem "Rock the Boat" by Elizabeth Acevedo (from WOKE: A YOUNG POET'S CALL TO JUSTICE). They are members of the middle school Black and Latina affinity group at The Winsor School.

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Students can share poetry that moves them to create collaborative readings. Here is an example of the poem "Rock the Boat" by Elizabeth Acevedo (from WOKE: A YOUNG POET'S CALL TO JUSTICE). They are members of the middle school Black and Latina affinity group at The Winsor School.

Access more ideas for celebrating #DiverseVerse on the website http://diverseverse.com and the resource Padlet https://padlet.com/venkatraman_padma/543z1xl2afh46x5l#

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A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world.
http://www.acevedowrites.com/books-2

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Use this poem as a mentor text to get everyone talking about our limitations, laughing at our shortcomings, and thinking about the superpowers we wish we had. "Superhero" is one of 100 poems in HOP TO IT: POEMS TO GET YOU MOVING by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong. Find a larger version of the poem in Vardell + Wong's guest post on the Cynsations blog: https://bit.ly/3uP4f4s.

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Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds by Jorge Argueta

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Somos como las nubes / We Are Like the Clouds by Jorge Argueta

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Powerful poems about the experiences of refugee and immigrant children from Central America and Mexico. A Bank Street College of Education "Best Children's Books of the Year." Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3x1Zoij

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#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

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#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

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This anthology for teen readers presents poems, essays, interviews, and art. Recipient of 15+ awards and nominations, including the AILA Youth Literature Award. Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Rzcu6g

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This interactive story in poems about 4 kids who want to change the world (starting with their school) features 36 poems; 29 of them are by BIPOC poets (Ibtisam Barakat, David Bowles, Joseph Bruchac, Naomi Shihab Nye, Carole Boston Weatherford, Janet Wong). An NNSTOY Social Justice Book. Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3tkA84g.

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The Space Between Our Footsteps by Naomi Shihab Nye

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The Space Between Our Footsteps by Naomi Shihab Nye

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How is it that this anthology of poems by more than 100 poets from 19 different Middle Eastern countries (a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults in 1998) is out of print? Find it at your library! Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3v1nOqn

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The Tree Is Older Than You Are by Naomi Shihab Nye

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The Tree Is Older Than You Are by Naomi Shihab Nye

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This bilingual anthology of poems and paintings by poets and artists living in Mexico was published in 1998 but is still powerful today. Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3dZgPXT

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A book of poems with a social justice theme, written by 3 poets: Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood: https://bit.ly/3g6Bb4f

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https://mobrowne.com/index.html

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https://www.ekeretallie.com/

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Share "'Break-Fast' at Night" by Ibtisam Barakat from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong to explore the tradition of fasting during Ramadan: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361625045055535877/

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http://www.ibtisambarakat.com/

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"Look for Birds": A Mentor Text for Hope

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"Look for Birds": A Mentor Text for Hope

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Here's a video of Janet Wong reading "Look for Birds" from HOP TO IT: POEMS TO GET YOU MOVING by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong: https://vimeo.com/408390644. You can use this poem as a mentor text and ask students to write a poem of hope that touches on the difficulties of living during the pandemic.

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A verse novel about a border kid and his friends—and the power of poetry! Winner of multiple awards. https://cincopuntos.com/product/they-call-me-guero/

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https://davidbowles.us/

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http://www.zettaelliott.com/

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"Blue Bucket" + "Here We Go" Found Poem Exercise

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"Blue Bucket" + "Here We Go" Found Poem Exercise

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Some found poems use entire texts while others allow creators to pick and choose a few words here and there. The latter format provides both challenge and choice. Students can do that using "Blue Bucket" by Naomi Shihab Nye and "Here We Go" by Janet Wong in this sheet originally created as a bookmark activity for Every Child a Reader (a 501(c)(3) organization supported by the Children's Book Council): https://everychildareader.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Poetry-Month-Bookmark-2017.pdf.

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Here's a poem movie" featuring the poem "Blue Bucket" by Naomi Shihab Nye from the book HERE WE GO: A POETRY FRIDAY POWER BOOK, an interactive story in verse by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong. Use it along with a simple "What If?" writing prompt: https://vimeo.com/385298432.

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We listen to favorite songs many times, even hundred of times; let's do that with favorite poems, too. How about giving an assignment to your students to play a video or audio recording of a poem (any poem) several times? To get started, you'll find links here to 1-minute poem readings by BIPOC poets Zetta Elliott, Rebecca Balcárcel, Xelena González, Padma Venkatraman, and Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie: http://30gopoems.blogspot.com/2021/03/2021-post-17-poem-day-same-poem-day.html.

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Rhythm and ResistanceTeaching Poetry for Social Justice

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Rhythm and ResistanceTeaching Poetry for Social Justice

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https://rethinkingschools.org/books/rhythm-and-resistance/

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Rhythm and Resistance

Teaching Poetry for Social Justice
https://rethinkingschools.org/books/rhythm-and-resistance/

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http://www.aidasalazar.com/the-moon-within.html

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http://www.aidasalazar.com/teachers-guide1.html

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http://www.aidasalazar.com/teachers-guide.html

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https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/francisco-x-alarcon

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https://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/2019/04/classroom-connections-with-aida-salazar.html

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https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/juan-felipe-herrera

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https://safia-mafia.com/bio

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https://tamiwrites.com

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http://ibizoboi.net

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Eric Gansworth's memoir

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Speaking up against anti-Asian hate crimes

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Speaking up against anti-Asian hate crimes

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Anti-Asian hate crimes have surged during the pandemic. All forms of hate and prejudice need to be condemned. If you would like to use the words and work of Asian poets to highlight and celebrate their contributions even as you engage in introspection, discussion and raise awareness on taking practical steps to combat it, here are some links and resources:
1. Poetry Foundation Article on Asian American Voices in Poetry
2. 5 Asian American Poets
3. 7 Asian Poets whose words are an act of resistance
4. Asian American Poets
5. Books by Asian American Poets

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https://lindasuepark.com/

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Copyright 2000-2023, Linda Sue Park. All rights reserved. Avatar by Gladys Jose. Privacy policy . Website designed by Winding Oak, LLC.

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The official website of Brooklyn-based poet, creative writer, and facilitator Candice Iloh.

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Poetry is when language sings, isn't it? Listen to these BIPOC poets and authors singing and use these video clips as inspiration.
Elizabeth Acevedo
Deep Blue She
Soundtrack for Freedom Writers by Common (listen to it, please, some of the language is inappropriate for classrooms)

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https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors/dean-atta

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Hope Anita Smith is the author of three lovely, compelling, and highly acclaimed books for young readers: MOTHER, THE WAY A DOOR CLOSES, and her most recent, KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH. In KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH, "so many unanswered questions weigh down thirteen-year-old C.J. as he struggles to understand why his father walked out. His father is back now, though C.J. is not as quick to forgive as the other members of his family. He still feels the weight of responsibility that fell on his shoulders when Daddy was gone, and he's not prepared to give that up. But C.J.'s anger is making him a stranger in his own home, and instead of life seeming better now that Daddy has returned, it feels worse.

Through powerful poems, Hope Anita Smith chronicles the nuanced emotions of a family that is slowly learning to heal and put the pieces back together." Ms. Smith didn't want to just tell the story of a father who disappears: "I wanted this story to have a different ending, an ending that proves wrongs can be righted and it's never too late to say 'I'm sorry.' "A native of Akron, Ohio, Ms. Smith now lives in Los Angeles, California, where she is also a professional storyteller and teaches poetry writing workshops to all ages.
Why do you write? What inspired particular works - an image, a conversation, a person, a situation, etc.? Can you describe some surprises along the way of a story?
I have always loved words. I love the rhythm of them as they flow across a page. I was never good at playing the piano but when I picked up a pen, I knew that was an instrument I could play. I write because I have stories to share. I write because I cannot imagine my life without writing. It is my way of communicating.

Sometimes an overheard conversation, a picture or even a word inspires me.

The poem 'Splinter' in MOTHER POEMS was based on a word. The word conjured up a memory (how my grandmother took care of me when I got a splinter), which inspired the poem.

There are also times when my characters surprise me with things that they say or do. I respect them enough not to impose my thoughts or opinions on them. I wait for them to tell me what they want.

In KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH, C.J's anger and pride are so real, and so well-balanced with his deep capacity for love and desire to be the "man of the house"; the school scenes are so vivid, and all of the relationships are acutely drawn. Did you know that you would continue C.J.'s story with Keeping while you wrote The Way A Door Closes? What prompted Keeping? Do you know a C.J.? Or many? Did Keeping the Night Watch unfold the way you'd expected it to, or did any of the characters surprise you along the way? What did you want readers to know about C.J.?

I did know that I would continue C.J.'s story when I was writing The Way A Door Closes. C.J.'s father comes back at the end of TWADC and I did not want anyone to think that was the end. I didn't want readers to assume "they all lived happily ever after". It was important to me that book two tackle C.J.'s father trying to regain his family's trust and respect. Yes, I do know a few C.J.'s.

I had no expectation when I was writing Keeping The Night Watch. I have an immense amount of respect for my characters and try to influence their stories with what I think is best. I follow their lead and they know what they want (whether I like it or not).

I wanted readers to know how hurt he was by his father's leaving. I wanted them to know that he was stubborn and afraid that he would be just like his father and would one day abandon his family. And, ultimately, I wanted them to know that he was strong enough to find his way back to his father and that he was smart enough to know that he would grow up to be his own man.
What led you to the children's writing industry? What has kept you in? Can you describe some of the high and low points? What publishing issues are important to you right now? What are the challenges? What are you excited about? Were there any people who played pivotal roles along the way?
I came to the children's writing industry by way of a teacher/author named Myra Cohn Livingston. I took a class with her and discovered my voice for writing for children. I already read children's books. I felt that even though they were 'children's books', they were really for adults. I had quite an amazing collection even before I found my way to writing for children. My collection continues to grow.

A high point, for me, would be discovering a character's name or coming up with a title for a completed poem. It is a feeling like no other. One of the low points for me is completing a book. I feel as if I am losing family members or friends. I have nurtured those characters in the story and now they are going to go off and live on the shelves of bookstores and libraries and I miss them.

One aspect of publishing that is of interest to me right now is e-books. Technology is on the rise with Kindles, Nooks and iPads and I worry about books (the ones you hold in your hand) getting lost. Going the way of the dinosaur. I think there is room for both, but I don't know if we know how to create and/or appreciate that balance. I also worry that these devices will turn children's books into animated characters that talk and sing and dance across the screen, thus making it a movie experience, not a reading experience.
What would you like to write that you haven't written yet? Is there anything, a different genre or style, that you'd like to try?
I would like to write a light-hearted funny story. All of my stories evoke such strong emotions (mainly tears) and I would love to just make someone laugh. My first three books are novels in poems, but now I am working on a novel in prose. I am also researching a non-fiction story. I don't have any particular genre or style that I want try. I just want to tell stories that make you feel happy, sad, angry...
What brings you joy?
My joy comes from going into the classroom and getting students writing, helping them find their voice. I love sharing my passion for words with them and inspiring them to tell their stories.
Some favorite books you've read lately?
One Crazy Summer, Mockingbird, Pecan Pie Baby, Knufflebunny Free
Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace, Lockdown
What's the best advice that you've gotten/or would like to give to writers today?
The only way to be a writer is to write. You have to get the words down on the page. Also, if you want to be a writer, you need to be a reader.
What interview question would you like to be asked, and what's your answer? What do you most want to accomplish as the Children's Poet Laureate of the United States?
I want to put poetry in the classroom with all disciplines, art, history, science, math, etc. I believe that getting our children reading and reciting poetry will improve their communication skills and getting them writing poetry will improve their writing in all other areas.
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? What are you working on now?
You can look forward to a funny story and a tall tale. I am working on a poetry collection about dads that I will also illustrate. The new poetry collection about dads is for the very young (picture book age). It is truly a wish book. A joyous celebration of the kind of dad I wished I'd had.
Thank you so much, Ms. Smith - we look forward to it!
Visit Hope Anita Smith online.

More on Hope Anita Smith and KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH:

A video booktalk from Cindy Dobrez

Reviews:
"...Smith masterfully brings her characters to life from the inside out in straightforward free verse. Lewis uses his brilliantly composed, watercolor-and-ink paintings to underscore the strong emotions of the text. This hopeful book celebrates the power of families to heal and overcome hard times. It will speak to the hearts of many readers." - School Library Journal, Starred Review:

* "Beautiful." - Booklist, starred review

"A lovely melding of accesible beauty, hard truth, and aesthetic inspiration for young readers and budding writers." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[an] affecting portrait of one family's rebirth." - The Horn Book

Awards: American Library Association Notable Children's Books; Coretta Scott King Honor, Author; IRA Children's Book Award Notable Book; Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year; CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI); Booklist Editors' Choice; School Library Journal Best Books of the Year; CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best

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Hope Anita Smith is the author of three lovely, compelling, and highly acclaimed books for young readers: MOTHER, THE WAY A DOOR CLOSES, and her most recent, KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH. In KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH, "so many unanswered questions weigh down thirteen-year-old C.J. as he struggles to understand why his father walked out.

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Jacqueline Woodson is an American writer of books for adults, children, and adolescents. She is best known for her National Book Award-Winning memoir Brown Girl Dreaming, and her Newbery Honor-winning titles After Tupac and D Foster, Feathers, and Show Way. Her picture books The Day You Begin and Th…

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"Alexander fully captures Josh's athletic finesse and coming-of-age angst in a mix of free verse and hip-hop poetry that will have broad appeal. . . . This will inspire budding players and poets alike."

- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships. . . . Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch."

- Kirkus, starred review

"The poems dodge and weave with the speed of a point guard driving for the basket, mixing basketball action with vocabulary-themed poems, newspaper clippings, and Josh's sincere first-person accounts that swing from moments of swagger-worth triumph to profound pain."

- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Alexander has crafted a story that vibrates with energy and heat and begs to be read aloud. A slam dunk."

- School Library Journal, starred review

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"Alexander fully captures Josh's athletic finesse and coming-of-age angst in a mix of free verse and hip-hop poetry that will have broad appeal. . . . This will inspire budding players and poets alike." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships.

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"Venkatraman has created a rich, exotic, and fully human world that dazzles and delights. Her way with prose reflects Veda's with dancing: 'Nothing else fills me with as much elation as chasing down soaring music' This novel accomplishes exactly that."- Providence Sunday Journal

"[A] powerful depiction of a teen girl struggling to recover from an accident."- The Chicago Tribune

* " Set against a cardamom, melted butter, and semolina sojji-wafted landscape, the novel's emotional expression and accompanying music impel the reader to share Veda's belief that "Shiva dances everywhere. In everyone. In everything."- Booklist, starred review

* " A beautiful integration of art, religion, compassion and connection."-K irkus Reviews, starred review

* " Told in verse, this story is magnificently strong as Veda's determination dances off the page and into the reader's heart."-V OYA, starred review

* "This exceptional novel, told entirely in verse, captures beautifully the emotions of a girl forced to deal with a number of challenges and how she overcomes them on her way to becoming a confident young woman. It is sure to appeal to readers who are also trying to find their place in the world."- School Library Journal, starred review - various

ALA Notable Children's Book WINNER

YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults WINNER

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults WINNER

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A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman: 9780147514400 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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"Venkatraman has created a rich, exotic, and fully human world that dazzles and delights.

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Award-winning author K. A. Holt has written numerous books for young people.

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K.A. Holt: Middle Grade Novels-In-Verse, Prose Novels, Picture Book

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Ben Bee and the Teacher Griefer, Redwood & Ponytail, Knockout, House Arrest, Rhyme Schemer, From You to Me, Gnome-a-geddon, I Wonder,

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Edited by Miranda Paul, this beautiful picture book anthology is a collection of gratitude themed poems and showcases the work of several diverse poets.

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Cenzontle/Mockingbird: Songs of Empowerment by Daniel Garcia Ordaz

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Cenzontle/Mockingbird: Songs of Empowerment by Daniel Garcia Ordaz

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A spoken-word poet, Garcia Ordaz is also a teacher in Deep South Texas where Spanish and English have historically collided. Both these languages in Garcia Ordaz's mouth, though, join together to form a hybrid, third language that is the beginning of the healing of what Gloria Anzaldua refers to as the "herida abierta" or open wound that is life on the South Texas/Mexico border. Included in this YA edition of this collection is a teacher's guide and writing prompts for young poets.

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Verse Novels and Poems for Middle Grade Readers

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Verse Novels and Poems for Middle Grade Readers

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Middle grade students are highly capable of nuanced conversations about hate. Here are a few suggestions for poems (including in some cases verses taken from a verse novel) that may appeal to middle grade students:
Jacqueline Woodson
Naomi Shihab Nye
Nikki Grimes
Margarita Engle

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Here's another lesson spark: why not begin with a video of a poet speaking a powerful poem aloud? This could be a powerful entry into a discussion of hate and hope. It could also serve as an inspiration for young people to share spoken word poetry or in a poetry slam format. Links to a few remarkable young poets reading aloud their work include:
Amanda Gorman's Inaugural Poem
Rudi Francisco's My City

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Jacqueline Woodson's Award-winning Memoir

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Margarita Engle's Award-winning Memoir

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POEMS ABOUT INCLUSION & AGAINST HATE, RACISM, CRUELTY AND OPPRESSION by Famous BIPOC poets for YA readers 

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POEMS ABOUT INCLUSION & AGAINST HATE, RACISM, CRUELTY AND OPPRESSION by Famous BIPOC poets for YA readers 

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One Today by Richard Blanco
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou
Bent to the Earth by Blas Manuel de Luna
For the Consideration of Poets by
Haki R Madhubuti
Dakota Homecoming by Gwen Nell Westerman
The Riots by Ruben Quesada
Won't You Celebrate With Me by Lucille Clifton
I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes
Still, I Rise by Maya Angelou

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Teacher Ideas and resources for harnessing the power of poetry to speak out against hate crimes and for inclusion, equality and respect for diversity

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Teacher Ideas and resources for harnessing the power of poetry to speak out against hate crimes and for inclusion, equality and respect for diversity

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1. Equip young people with ideas, tools and strategies to combat hate by using diverse poetry as a starting point.
Bring in copies of several poems you love that are written by BIPOC authors and that speak out against hate or speak about inclusion. Links to some poems you might use or excerpt are provided in the posts following this one. Allow the students to read and discover poems that may resonate with their own feelings. Encourage them to either read aloud a poem or a few lines that they love, or to create a poster or illustration inspired by the poem that touches them most deeply. Enter into a discussion on how to combat hate. Collate student suggestions to create a group poster and offer suggestions of your own, as well as, if possible, a place to practice standing up and speaking up safely, using role play, for example. Remember to tackle the problems, while respecting people at all times (as Ibram X Kendi, among others, has so eloquently suggested). You might, for instance, ask someone to repeat a sentence that sounds racist, hurtful or offensive, thus giving the speaker the time and opportunity to think and rephrase, retract and apologize for a thoughtless remark. You might also want to honestly discuss, in an age-appropriate fashion, how we all need to practice being sensitive to one another and compassionate to one another, and how we all, always need to keep learning and unlearning as we grow.
2. Write a blackout poem or a found poem inspired by a piece of prose that speaks out against hate or about surviving with hope and that is written by a BIPOC author, e.g. PRAIRIE LOTUS by Linda Sue Park.
A found poem can be written by re-arranging words in a piece of prose (cutting up lines to give the impression of poetry, for example); remember to provide proper attribution to the original author of the words.
A blackout poem can be created by copying a piece of prose or even a verse from a verse novel, and then using a dark highlighter to take away some words, while bringing out others that remain visible on the page. Again, remember to credit the original author.
These exercises also provide an excellent segue into discussions of intellectual property rights and the importance of respecting copyright.
3. Try writing a poem that isn't a golden shovel, but is inspired by a powerful quote by about using the power of words to peacefully combat hate and embrace equality and inclusion.
To do this activity with a class,
Find quotes by BIPOC leaders you admire and share them with your students. Use these as a starting point for discussion, and allow the students to use a line that speaks to them as a springboard for their own poem. Finish up by reading one of Nikki Grimes' superb collections of Golden Shovel poetry - LEGACY and ONE LAST WORD - which are great references and provide perfect exemplars of this poetic form that is inspired by the work of those who came before us.

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This padlet is currently maintained by Padma Venkatraman,  Lisa Stringfellow, Janet Wong, Ari Tison, Rene Saldana Jr. and Kari Anne Holt. Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell provided important suggestions for improvement. We hope to build this resource and trust it will be useful for educators, especially teachers and librarians.

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https://www.patmora.com

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https://www.carmentafolla.net

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So here's another type of poem that I like to think I invented, LOL! I call it a Bridge Poem. The blog post below explains and demonstrates how this collaborative poem can be written - by two or more creators. https://padmavenkatraman.com/2020/01/06/building-bridges-in-2020/

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What a marvelous year 2019 was! Being part of #GRABridge and #GRA19 was one of the highlights of my entire writing career, and it touches me deeply that so many of my readers loved THE BRIDGE HOME and that some were moved enough to build bridges of their own, by taking action to help fight against hunger and homelessness and poverty. Just as important and unimaginably humbling, the lives of a few were changed for the better because they found the strength to move to safer situations after reading #TheBridgeHome. That is a blessing beyond all imagining to me, and makes every sacrifice I made to become a writer more than worthwhile.

I'm also deeply honored that the book is on so many best of year and award lists, in addition to the wonderful early reception. Here's a video my daughter (and a friend) made for me, reflecting my thankfulness. I am immensely grateful to each and every reader for allowing Rukku, Muthu, Arul and Viji into your hearts. Thank you all for your love of the book, and all you've given me.

I've been wondering what I could give you in return that would be useful and interesting to you all. Here are 2 things I plan to do:

First, I'll be posting a "cooking up stories" writing prompt paired with a book and a recipe (provided by Chef Amanda) at the Highlights Foundation's blog the first Friday of every month. Here's the first #foodiefriday episode (from last November), and yes, there's one for December and January, too.

Second, I'll be reading some of my favorite poetry aloud, so you can listen - and maybe write some poetry - or do some art - of your own, inspired by the poem. This month, I didn't record a poem - but I'd like to share an idea for something I'm calling a Bridge Poem. Here's how you make one: 1. Find a partner. 2. Choose (each of you) a word or phrase from THE BRIDGE HOME (or another book you love) and write it down (using different colored ink) on an index card. 3. Now place these two like you're starting to build a bridge (in the shape of the beginning of a bridge). 4. Take it in turns to find another word or phrase or line that grows out of one of those words, and place them like bricks that you're using to build a bridge. (Or, for more of a challenge you can start at either end and try to find a way to come together, so that you build a bridge between the first two words that you chose). Here's an example, below that I created with poet Laura Shovan. I began with the word Trembling and she began with I told you, and then we alternated (the words/plrases I chose are in black, her choices are in pink) and together we created a poem in the shape of a bridge.

In the future, along with a poem I read aloud, I'll be doing my best to provide prompts that are will be useful and interesting to readers of all ages - young and not-so-young. And I'll be posting on this blog once a month, or so.

Thanks again, so much, for staying in touch. Here's...

... and finally, for you to enjoy the rest of this year, here's a recipe for a pot of hot, spicy, chai (tea) from cold New England, where I now live (I posted this on twitter last year, but thought it ought to have a permanent home here)!

THE BRIDGE HOME - honors and awards

* Nerdy Book Award Winner

* Cybil Awards

* Kirkus Best MG Bks 2019

* NYPL Best 2019

* Chicago Public Library Best Bks 2019

* Booklist Editor's Choice Best Bks 2019

* Washington Post Best Bks 2019

* Mighty Girl Best Bks 2019

* TX Bluebonnet award nominee

* SLJ Top 10 Audio Bks 2019

* Bklist Editor's Choice Best Audio 2019

* Jr Library Guild audio selection

* CSMCL Best Bks 2019

* GoodReads Best MG Bks 2019

*Audiophile Magazine Earphone Award

* Washington Post KidPost Summer Reading Selection

* Global Read Aloud, 2019

* ProjectLIT, 2019-20

* Ebony Teach Best Books 2019

* Betsy Bird's 31 MG titles in SLJ

* Mighty Girl pick

* Today Show

* "a blisteringly beautiful book" - Starred Review, Kirkus

* "absorbing" - Starred Review, Booklist

* "stellar" - Starred Review, SLJ

* "a story that must be shared." - Starred Review, SLC

* "exquisitely narrated" - Starred Review, PW

* "moving" - Sound Commentary, Starred Review

* Venkatraman brings love, support and humor to a story undergirded by tough issues" - SLJ audio, Starred Review

* "beautifully rendered" - SF Chronicle

* "gorgeous storytelling" - NYT Book Review

* "will break hearts and inspire activist longings" - BCCB

* "this bittersweet novel is about breaking the cycle of abuse, reaching for your dreams and finding home " - Horn Book

* "an amazing book" - Newsday

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What a marvelous year 2019 was! Being part of #GRABridge and #GRA19 was one of the highlights of my entire writing career, and it touches me deeply that so many of my readers loved THE BRIDGE HOME and that some were moved enough to build bridges of their own, by taking action to help...

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Poet Rene LaTulippe invited me to share a poetry writing activity on her website, so I shared an "outtake" - a poem that didn't make it into my novel A TIME TO DANCE (the first South Asian American novel in verse for young people). To read the verse that didn't make it, find out why my brilliant editor Nancy Paulsen and I agreed it should be cut, and to write your own concrete (visual) poem, visit this link:  https://www.nowaterriver.com/community-collection-11-visual-poems-with-padma-venkatraman/

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Dr. Sarah J Donovan invited me to share a writing activity for teachers to try, and then for them to take into their classrooms, if they wished. I like to think I invented a form which I call a mirror poem - here's a link if you'd like to try it: http://www.ethicalela.com/14of30verselove-padmavenkatraman/
And here's a link to a student who submitted a mirror poem of her own to the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest, and won a Pearl Award: https://bowseat.org/gallery/in-our-hands-4/

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https://www.benjaminsaenz.com

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https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Marjorie-Agosin/45004124

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About The Author

Marjorie Agosín is the Pura Belpré Award-winning author of I Lived on Butterfly Hill and The Maps of Memory. Raised in Chile, her family moved to the United States to escape the horrors of the Pinochet takeover of their country. She has received the Letras de Oro Prize for her poetry, and her writings about-and humanitarian work for-women in Chile have been the focus of feature articles in The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, and Ms. magazine. She has also won the Latino Literature Prize for her poetry. She is a Spanish professor at Wellesley College.

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Marjorie Agosín is the Pura Belpré Award-winning author of I Lived on Butterfly Hill and The Maps of Memory. Raised in Chile, her family moved to the United States to escape the horrors of the Pinochet takeover of their country.

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https://www.ruthbehar.com/writings/poems/

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Saying Goodbye to La Habana in May There's always that last day in La Habana. When I want to fix the city in my memory. I want to take another walk on the Malecón. I want to feel the sea wetting my eyelids.

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https://richard-blanco.com

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https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/144047/andrea-davis-pinkney/

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Skip to Main Content (Press Enter)

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Andrea Davis Pinkney | Penguin Random House

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Skip to Main Content (Press Enter) Start earning points for buying books! Just for joining you'll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members. Your account has been created. Upload book purchases, access your personalized book recommendations, and more from here. GOT IT

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https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/poetryeverywhere/nye.html

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Naomi Shihab Nye was born in 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Palestinian father and an American mother. She has lived in Ramallah in Jordan, the Old City in Jerusalem, and San Antonio, Texas, where she currently resides. In her writing, she has been inspired by her experiences as an Arab-American, as well as by richness and diversity of the people and places she has encountered, both in the American Southwest and abroad. Nye captures many of life's little details in a journal she keeps, and her careful observations of things so often overlooked often find their way into her poems. She says, "For me the primary source of poetry has always been local life, random characters met on the streets, our own ancestry sifting down to us through small essential daily tasks." Self-described as "a wandering poet," Nye has wanted to write poetry since she was seven years old, when she composed her first poem. She has gone on to write several poetry collections, as well as essays and novels. Her collection 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her many honors include four Pushcart Prizes, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award, a Paterson Poetry Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Lannan Fellowship.

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Naomi Shihab Nye | Poetry Everywhere | PBS

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Naomi Shihab Nye was born in 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Palestinian father and an American mother. She has lived in Ramallah in Jordan, the Old City in Jerusalem, and San Antonio, Texas, where she currently resides.

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https://www.mariko-nagai.com

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https://guadalupegarciamccall.com/

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https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/victoria-chang

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Writer and editor Victoria Chang's books include The Trees Witness Everything (Copper Canyon, 2022); OBIT (Copper Canyon, 2020); Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief (Milkweed Editions, 2021); Circle (2005), winner of the Crab Orchard Review Award Series in Poetry; Salvinia Molesta (2008); The Boss (2013); and Barbie Chang (2017). Her poems have been published in the Kenyon Review, Poetry, the Threepenny Review, and Best American Poetry 2005. In 2017, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Poet Susan Settlemyre Williams, reviewing Circle for the online journal blackbird, commented on the collection: "It frequently brings Randall Jarrell to mind, both in its wide range of subjects, including art, film, and history, in its many dramatic monologues, and particularly in its fundamental inquiry into the slippery nature of identity." She noted the presence of characters in liminal states and women struggling with restrictive roles, observing that Chang's "rueful wit and sense of irony undercut any sense of self-righteousness."

Victoria Chang earned a BA in Asian studies from the University of Michigan, an MA in Asian studies from Harvard University, an MBA from Stanford University, and an MFA from the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers. Chang is the editor of the anthology Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation (2004). In addition to editing, she writes children's books and teaches in Antioch University's MFA program. She lives in Southern California with her family.

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Writer and editor Victoria Chang's books include The Trees Witness Everything (Copper Canyon, 2022); OBIT (Copper Canyon, 2020); Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief (Milkweed Editions, 2021); Circle (2005), winner of the Crab Orchard Review Award Series in Poetry; Salvinia Molesta...

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https://reemfaruqi.com/author/

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https://www.youtube.com/embed/brRY2Osz_0A Welcome! Please click here to see new releases and here to see Lailah's Lunchbox updates!

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https://www.rajanilarocca.com

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https://www.rayanthonyshepard.com

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https://marilyn-nelson.com

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https://walterdeanmyers.net

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https://lindasuepark.com

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https://cbweatherford.com

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https://www.tracisorell.com

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https://www.jasonwritesbooks.com

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https://www.charleswaterspoetry.com

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https://kwamealexander.com

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Poems + prose pieces + writing prompts about the author's Korean, Chinese, and American identities. An NCTE Poetry Notable. Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2QqiFsw.

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https://www.thanhhalai.com/

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The official website of Vietnamese-American author Thanhhà Lại. Winner of the National Book Award and a Newbery Honor for her debut, Inside Out and Back Again.

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http://www.acevedowrites.com/

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From bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Elizabeth Acevedo comes her first novel for adults, the story of one Dominican-American family told through the voices of its women as they await a gathering that will forever change their lives.

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https://jasminewarga.com/

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https://www.colorincolorado.org/author/ren%C3%A9-salda%C3%B1a-jr

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https://www.theamandagorman.com/

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Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Sociology. She has written for the New York Times and has three books forthcoming with Penguin Random House.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began writing at only a few years of age. Now her words have won her invitations to the Obama White House and to perform for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and others. Amanda has performed multiple commissioned poems for CBS This Morning and she has spoken at events and venues across the country, including the Library of Congress and Lincoln Center. She has received a Genius Grant from OZY Media, as well as recognition from Scholastic Inc., YoungArts, the Glamour magazine College Women of the Year Awards, and the Webby Awards. She has written for the New York Times newsletter The Edit and penned the manifesto for Nike's 2020 Black History Month campaign. In 2017, Amanda Gorman was appointed the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate by Urban Word - a program that supports Youth Poets Laureate in more than 60 cities, regions and states nationally. She is the recipient of the Poets & Writers Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, and is the youngest board member of 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the United States.

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Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Sociology. She has written for the New York Times and has three books forthcoming with Penguin Random House.

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https://www.josephbruchac.com/

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https://www.ericgansworth.com/

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http://www.aidasalazar.com/

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https://www.janetwong.com/

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That's the message I share with children, teachers, librarians, and aspiring authors all over the world.

Do you have an idea? Write it down. Don't worry about making it "good"-just TRY.

The key is getting started. Getting those big wheels in your brain to move.

If you sputter, if you stall, no problem. Wait a little while and start it up again.

Someone needs to write the poems of the 21st century.

Someone needs to write our stories, our books, our movies, our slogans, our songs.

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That's the message I share with children, teachers, librarians, and aspiring authors all over the world. Do you have an idea? Write it down. Don't worry about making it "good"-just TRY. The key is getting started. Getting those big wheels in your brain to move. If you sputter, if you stall, no problem.

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http://margaritaengle.com/

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May 2023
Book Release
Margarita's upcoming book, The Sculptors of Light and its Spanish edition, La Escultoras de La Luz, is a collection of poetry that highlights the lives and legacies of eight Cuban women who have redefined art in their communities.

This book is scheduled for publication in October 2023 by Reycraft Books and both editions are Junior Library Guild's selection.

April 2023
Book Release
Wings in the Wild and its Spanish edition, Alas Salvaje, is now available at local bookstores and online retailers.

The book recently received starred review on the Publishers Weekly and, both translations are Junior Library Guild's selection.

January 2023
New Book Announcement
Water Day is a story about a young girl and her community celebrating the arrival of the water man who visits weekly to distribute water to the village.This joyful picture book will be released in May 2023.

December 2022
New Book Announcement
Destiny Finds Her Way, a heartwarming rescued baby sloth story will be published in February 7, 2023. It tells the true story of Destiny, a rescued orphaned baby sloth who must learn to return to the wild of Costa Rican rainforest.

November 2022
New Edition and Translation Announcement
Drum Dream Girl will soon be available in German translation, Brailled edition, and First Book edition

June 2022
New Book Announcement
Wings in the Wild, a new romantic contemporary novel-in-verse from award-winning author Margarita Engle that tells the inspiring love story of two teens fighting for climate action and human rights. This book will be published in April 2023.

Singing with Elephants featured interviews on NPR's Morning Edition and We Need Diverse Book.

This book also received starred review from Publishers Weekly and a feature review on New York Times.

January 2022

NEW! See the animated cover image for Rima's Rebellion, a new book that will be published on February 15.

Your Heart, My Sky was selected as 2021 Nerdies for Best Poetry and Novels in Verse

A Song of Frutas/Un pregón de frutas was reviewed in New York Times Book Review and included in Junior Library Guild Selection.

With a Star in My Hands is a finalist for SCBWI's Golden Kite Young Adult Fiction Award.

Los Angeles Public Library selected Manos que bailan: Co´mo Teresa Carren~o toco´ el piano para el Presidente Lincoln for their Lo mejor del 2021 list.

October 2021

A Song of Frutas and Your Heart, My Sky have received starred reviews from School Library Journal.

A Song of Frutas is also listed on SLJ's 29 Picture Books to Celebrate the Latinx Experience and Publishers Weekly's List of Kids in the Kitchen Books.

Dancing Hands was Target Stores' Hispanic Heritage Month Featured Books

With a Star in My Hands has been selected as young adult book of the month for Read Across America's March 2022 list.

August 2021

Margarita's newest book, A Song of Frutas, received a starred review from Booklist.

Your Heart, My Sky has been nominated for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults #BFYA2022.

July 2021
New Book Announcement
Rima's Rebellion is an inspiring coming-of-age story about a girl falling in love for the first time while finding the courage to protest for women's right to vote in 1920s Cuba. This novel will be published in February 2022

June 2021
New Book AnnouncementMargarita's latest collaboration with award-winning illustrator Raúl Colón, will be published in October 2021.
Light for All is a lyrical and unifying picture book that celebrates the immigrant experience in America.
Margarita's upcoming picture book A Song of Frutas is called 'A joyful celebration of Cuban tradition and family ties' in a starred review from Kirkus.

March 2021

Margarita's new YA verse novel Your Heart, My Sky is now available through online retailer or your local bookstores.

This book has been recently featured on Kirkus Most Anticipated Books of 2021 and YA Buzz Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of 2021.

February 2021

Margarita has been invited to participate in creating IBBY International Children's Day Poster 2021. She wrote the text and translation of the inspirational message on the poster, which is available on the USBBY newsletter.

Margarita co-curated the first-ever young readers issue of Poetry Magazine from the Poetry Foundation, along with Jacqueline Woodson and Naomi Shihab Nye.

November 2020

New book cover reveal on SLJ's Fuse 8 for Margarita's new picture book A Song of Frutas, and its Spanish language edition Un pregón de frutas , to be published August 3, 2021.

Spanish language edition for The Flying Girl (La joven aviadora) will be published on May 4, 2021.

October 2020

Spanish language version for Soaring Earth (La Tierra al Vuelo) is now available at your local bookstore or online.

Spanish language version of Dancing Hands (Manos que bailan) will be released on May 21, 2021.

Award News: Margarita is honored to be nominated for 2021 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Margarita was included in League of Women Voters of Fresno County's exhibit titled 100 Notable Women Who Made a Difference in Fresno County.

August 2020

Spanish language version of Soaring Earth (La Tierra al Vuelo) will be published on October 6, 2020. Find it at your local bookstores or online.

New book cover reveal for Margarita's new YA verse novel Your Heart, My Sky, to be published March 23, 2021.

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Book Release Margarita's upcoming book, The Sculptors of Light and its Spanish edition, La Escultoras de La Luz , is a collection of poetry that highlights the lives and legacies of eight Cuban women who have redefined art in their communities.

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www.padmavenkatraman.com

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Here's wishing everyone a wonderful new year! Hope it's started well and that it brings you much joy. If you're a writer or teacher, here's a recent list of resources you might find useful:

Diverse Verse contains a list of novels-in-verse, old and new, that I read or re-read last year, as well as teaching activities (such as these lesson plan insights by Valerie Bolling and Lisa Stringfellow), interviews (such as Nadine Pinede's chat with Marilyn Nelson), writing prompts (including those featured by our student intern Avalon Lee during Poetry Month 2022), reviews of award-winning novels in verse (like Reem Faruqi's review of Veera Hiranandani or Suma Subramaniam's review of Rajani LaRocca or Ari Tison's review of Amber McBride) and story-behind-the-story essays (such as this behind-the-scene take on A SEED IN THE SUN by Aida Salazar or these essays by Leslea Newman and Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie). In case you aren't aware, #DiverseVerse is an initiative that I founded, which is growing with the help of wonderful authors and educators. If you self-identify with a marginalized or underrepresented community and are an author or educator who'd like to join us, please contact me!

I was delighted to be invited to share a #writing tip by Newbery Award-winning author Avi, and was thrilled to be interviewed on Newbery Award-winning author Karen Cushman's website.

I was also honored to share my thoughts on my experience of being the target of cyber-bullies in an essay published by Renaissance Learning - alongside essays by Jacqueline Woodson and Francisco X Stork, and featured on Edith Campbell's blog.

On a personal note, I was so grateful that BORN BEHIND BARS received multiple awards (Julia Ward Howe / Boston Authors Club Award), South Asia Book Award, Nerdy Book Award, and Malka Penn Award Honor, in addition to the many amazing honors that it won in 2021; and it was an amazing experience to keynote three sessions at NCTE 22 and to be a keynote speaker at VAASL, which allowed me to return to Williamsburg, where I once was a student! I also loved spending time teaching in Southampton in summer '22 ... was blown away to be invited as a featured author at the Arizona Author festival, among others, where I ate one of the most beautiful desserts ever, before hiking in the desert with my beautiful family.

2022 was also a tough year in many ways, but I look forward to good things in 2023, including school visits, which I always love - and - coming up very soon, a keynote at the Write to Learn conference in MO. If you'd like to schedule a keynote or presentation or school visit, please feel free to reach out to my speaking agency, The Author Village, and copy me, as well. Thank you so much for your support!

A few of many happy moments in '22... but hope '23 will be better!

Posted in Uncategorized

This spring began with so many delightful bits of news: The Bridge Home received another award - The Jerry, presented by WJRC! Born Behind Bars is also on Georgia's state award list! I've been doing a lot of virtual visits, and over the next few weeks, I'll be doing more.

On my slides, I quote from a lot of articles I've written about various aspects of diversity in the field of children's and YA literature. I also point out that there are plenty of resources on this website for librarians and educators who'd like to use my books in classrooms. However, please note that many of the links may NOT work because of your school / library server. There's nothing that can be done at my end to help solve that. However, most of the links can be accessed via my padlet.

So please click on this link for now, and thanks for your patience. You an also access many of my videos, including general writing prompts, via m y YouTube channel and writing prompts may also be found on the COOKING UP STORIES blog that I write for the Highlights Foundation the first Friday of each month, in which I come up with a writing prompt and it's paired with a colleague's book and a delectable recipe by Chef Amanda. As for general diversity resources, an annotated list of some of my articles is below:

Weeding out racim's invisible roots (SLJ) which was one of the most widely-read articles in School Library Journal

Compassion, as well as correctness (for Horn Book)

Accept, don't just tolerate (on the importance of including religious diversity, for Kirkus Reviews)

My quarantine story (for PW)

Classics, colonization and a call for change (Nerdy Book Club)

No problem with problem books (about gender inequity in kidlit, for YA Wednesday)

A list of awards the celebrate underrepresented and marginalized voices / books for young people (SLJ)

Golden silence, gilded words (about microagressions, on author Cynthia Leitich Smith's Cynsations blog)

Honoring the history of those who strove for diversity in our field and in our country (WNDB Walter Award acceptance speech, in a way - although the year I won it was the year COVID struck and the ceremony was cancelled)!

One of my very early books of nonfiction which was published before I considered myself an author, featured by Renaissance Learning

Essay on what writing and reading mean to me in 2022, especially in the context of book banning

The Importance of Reading Widely and Reading Beyond One's Own Experiences (published in Brightly)

Chat with Colby Sharp about Born Behind Bars (a parent's magazine book of the month selection), books featuring incarceration, and more

Expanding Our Embrace: Including Stories with International Settings

Better and Verse (about verse novels)

Diverse Verse (a website that I started which has grown into a marvelous group of poets and educators)

Authors Take Action

Padma Venkatraman on Voice

Speaking as a diversity educator

Posted in Tagged Uncategorized Diversity, Padma Venkatraman

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Wishes!

Can't believe 2021 is nearly over. As this year winds down, I'm taking a moment to be grateful for all the honors and awards and praise Born Behind Bars has been blessed with. So far, to my knowledge, it's on the Boston Globe, Kirkus, School Library Journal, CSMCL and India Currents Best Books of 2021 lists; on Mr. John Schu and Travis Jonker's Top 20 Books of 2021 list; and in addition to the starred reviews to which it was released and the glowing reviews from the New York Times Book Review and Providence Journal, it was showcased as Parents Magazine's November Book Club pick.

Born Behind Bars is also a Project LIT Community Selection! So honored!

If you'd like to order a copy, click the link below, and choose your favorite way to buy from the various possible options (and thank you)! https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647196/born-behind-bars-by-padma-venkatraman/

Here's the Born Behind Bars Trailer in case you didn't watch it yet...

If you'd like to hear the story-behind-the-story or download a discussion guide, Born Behind Bars related writing prompt or hear the first chapter of the audiobook, which I read, or access further reading suggestions or support resources, you'll find them at the Born Behind Bars page of this website (resources tab top right, Born Behind Bars drop down menu).

Thank you to all the educators who worked so hard as this pandemic continued.

Sending my wishes out to the world for health, above all, and a safe and peaceful end to this year and joy in 2022.

Posted in Tagged Uncategorized Book Awards, Born Behind Bars, Nancy Paulsen Books, Padma Venkatraman, Penguin Random House, The Bridge Home

Born Behind Bars

I'm so excited to share the news that Born Behind Bars is a Junior Library Guild Selection! And it received it's first review - a wonderful STAR - from Kirkus:

" This compelling novel develops at a brisk pace, advanced by evocative details and short chapters full of action... A gritty story, filled with hope and idealism." * Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

If you'd like to listen to an excerpt of me reading the BORN BEHIND BARS audiobook, here's a link to Penguin's Listening Library Page. If you'd like to read more about the novel, including an excerpt, here's the link to Penguin's page for BORN BEHIND BARS.

I'm looking forward to my keynote address for the Montana State Literacy Association, during which I'll be addressing questions of diversity (which I'll also be speaking about today during my first panel with the amazing Molly Ness and Elizabeth Blye at nErD camp PA today; and which I also spoke about during my keynote conversation earlier this month for the Writers On Writing - WOW -conference). I though I'd list some of my articles on diversity, that I'll be referring to during the keynote, in case attendees wish to read them. More links to diverse resources are available via the website's diversity page (resources drop down menu), which will be updated regularly.

Accept, Don't Tolerate. Invited article contributed to Kirkus Reviews, outlining thoughts on Religious Diversity in Literature for Young People.

Weeding Out Racism's Invisible Roots. Invited article contributed to School Library Journal, about reconsidering the place of children's classics.

Why the White House's Plan to Cut Diversity Training Workshops Should Upset Educators Everywhere in Our Nation. Invited article for Dr. Steve Bickmore's YA Wednesday blog, that I wrote in 2020, which contains relevant suggestions about diversity training (a little known fact - one of the many things I did before I became an author was to direct diversity efforts at URI's graduate school; indeed, I've been actively involved in diversity efforts ever since I came to this country for graduate school).

Traveling Without A Ticket: Using Global Narratives to Learn About Other Cultures Without Othering Them. Invited article about the importance of international literature, published on Nerdy Book Club's Blog.

Our American Constellation. Invited essay for NPR'S Mosaic RadioHour Podcast.

The importance of multicultural and diverse books. Invited essay for NPR's This I Believe New England.

Finally, if you'd like to pre-order a copy of BORN BEHIND BARS, here's the link.

That's it from me, today. Hope you're having a safe and healthy and wonderful summer. Thank you for your support of my work!

Posted in Tagged Uncategorized Born Behind Bars, Diversity Resources

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Here's wishing everyone a wonderful new year! Hope it's started well and that it brings you much joy.

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Nikki Grimes children's book author poet teacher children's literature young adultsCoretta Scott King award

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Copyright © 2003- Nikki Grimes. All rights reserved. Navigation bar photo by Aaron Lemen. Privacy Policy. Site design by Winding Oak. No images or content on these pages may be reproduced or republished in any form without permission. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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https://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/

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Jacqueline Woodson is an American writer of books for adults, children, and adolescents. She is best known for her National Book Award-Winning memoir Brown Girl Dreaming, and her Newbery Honor-winning titles After Tupac and D Foster, Feathers, and Show Way. Her picture books The Day You Begin and The Year We Learned to Fly were NY Times Bestsellers. After serving as the Young People’s Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017, she was named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress for 2018–19. She was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2020. Later that same year, she was named a MacArthur Fellow.

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Link to activities inspired by A TIME TO DANCE (verse novel by Padma Venkatraman).

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Discussion Guides, Lesson Plans and other teaching resources for Padma Venkatraman's first three novels are available (for free download) on this page.

Please visit the Teach THE BRIDGE HOME page for resources specific to that title.

A Time to Dance Resources:

Island's End Resources:

Climbing the Stairs Resources:

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Teach A Time to Dance, Island's End & Climbing the Stairs

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Discussion Guides, Lesson Plans and other teaching resources for Padma Venkatraman's first three novels are available (for free download) on this page. Please visit the Teach THE BRIDGE HOME page for resources specific to that title. A Time to Dance Resources: Lesson Plan, social studies connections, activity suggestions Discussion Guide Trailer HGMS library reading Listen...