The Advice Columnists of Passages Academy, Staten Island
My morning in Staten Island, speaking to the students and staff at Passages Academy as part of a program sponsored by PEN and Literature for Incarcerated Teens.
Coming to a Conference Near You! (If You’re in the Twin Cities, That Is)
My three presentations at the NCTE conference and ALAN workshop in Minneapolis, all focusing on aspects of diversity in books for young readers.
A Texas-Size Welcome at Hamilton Middle School
My inspiring experience as the author of Rogue, the "One Book, One School" read at Hamilton Middle School in Houston, Texas.
How to Make Friends with the New Kid: Advice for Kiara from the New Kids
My presentation to ELL students at Manchester, CT's high school and middle school explored insights gained from being a newcomer from a different culture.
Put Out of the Pack
An injury due to black ice leads me to reflect on the instinct to put laggards and misfits out of the pack and its implications for persons with disabilities.
UConn Co-op decked out for Halloween.
Speaking to the Teachers of Tomorrow at UConn
At the University of Connecticut I shared my experiences of growing up "different" and offered advice to both young writers and future teachers.
The townspeople thought Patricio would be happiest of all to see Karlijn go, but he knows bullying when he sees it.
Nonconforming Kids: Some Thoughts for National Bullying Prevention Month
Adults may have to put aside their own prejudices and preferences to help kids who are the targets of bullies.
"Oh, Daddy! I threw Patricio away because Giovanni had a shiny new car!"
"Be honest, Karlijn. Would Patricio have been your boyfriend if he were a random alkie instead of a Pubrickster Prize-winning investigative journalist?"
"Uh...no."
Teshuvah
My thoughts on the Jewish High Holy Days, the concept of Teshuvah, or Repentance, and being a real friend rather than using another person.
Trendsetter comes to town and tells Karlijn she's not as cool as she thinks.
The “Shoulds” and Being Yourself
When I was in middle and high school, I wanted to be popular, more than anything else in the world. However, my weak social skills rendered that goal pretty much…
Kiara Needs Help, and Hackett Middle School Answers the Call
I had my first school visit for Rogue today, at a week-long summer program for college-bound students at Hackett Middle School in Albany. The 36 students have been reading the…