This week, starred books get a happy new home; an author and illustrator share a piece of history; two writers talk about their process with kids; and authors speak out about tough topics.
All Stars
Loretta P. Lisowski, manager of the Gloucester County Library System/Glassboro Branch in Glassboro, N.J., was selected as the winner of PW 's Children’s Starred Reviews contest. She received a library of 15 of PW’s Best Children's Books of the Year, as selected by the editors, and supplied by Flying Pig Books in Shelburne, Vt. Here, Lisowski shows off the library’s new wares.
Stepping Up
Author Susan E. Goodman and illustrator E.B. Lewis spoke about their picture book, The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial (Bloomsbury), at Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, Mass., on February 3. The book is about an 1848 case filed against the city of Boston that contributed to the desegregation of Boston schools. Goodman and Lewis discussed their collaboration as well as more about the landmark case to a group of mainly teachers, librarians, and graduate students.
Page by Page
HarperCollins authors Lindsey Leavitt (l.) and Robin Mellom celebrated the release of the first book in their middle grade series, The Pages Between Us, with signings and school visits, including to Goolsby Elementary in Las Vegas. In addition to speaking about their book, Leavitt and Mellom shared the rejection letters (seen here) that they have received as authors, encouraging the students to never give up on their own pursuits.
True Grit
Three authors – (from l.) Kate Messner, Jo Knowles, and Tamara Ellis Smith – took part in a panel discussion at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, Vt., on February 6. The topic of conversation was about writing on tough subjects for kids. The event drew a standing-room crowd, including many educators interested in getting often controversial books that address such topics as addiction, teen pregnancy, natural disaster, and bullying, into kids’ hands.
