Teens Resist: Historical and International Perspectives
Twelve books for preteen and teen readers that portray young people as political activists in the U.S. and throughout the world in the 20th century.
Contested Histories: International Perspectives, Part 2
The second part of my presentation on "Contested Histories" at the AWP conference, which focuses on the Cold War in Latin American and my own writing.
Contested Histories: International Perspectives, Part 1
The first part of my presentation on "Contested Histories: International Perspectives" at the AWP 2017 conference.
Waiting for the Deus ex Machina
As we hope for a last-minute miracle in real life, some thoughts on the deus ex machina, why writers use it, why we should avoid it, and how we can.
A Basket of Books to Address Our History
Five recent young adult books that shed light on our history of intolerance and the struggle for human rights and dignity.
Photos of the First Modern Olympics
Reflections on the opening of a photography exhibit of the 1896 Olympics in Athens, historical research, and the Greek community of New York City.
“Should I Stay or Should I Go?”
Discussing Gringolandia's portrayal of resistance and exile at a panel on historical fiction at the NCTE16 conference, and post-election choices we face today.
The 2016 Brooklyn Book Festival: Historical Fiction for Kids and the Value of Small Presses
A summary of the PEN "Won't Know Much About History" panel on children's historical fiction at the Brooklyn Book Festival and meeting small press YA publishers.
I’m Going to AWP!
A preview of my two accepted panels at the February 2017 conference of AWP, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs.
Beware of orange-haired (or any other-haired) leaders claiming to be your voice. Because then you won't have one.
No, Donald Trump, You Are Not My Voice
The value of writing workshops goes beyond nurturing a new generation of writers to nurturing a new generation of citizens who can speak truth to power.