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I’ve talked about soft censorship of my novel, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass all over the country: how the book isn’t purchased at all, or is kept with the librarians, or is shared with only a select group of kids. And of course, I occasionally still get comments on my website that look like this: Still, it’s been a while since I’ve seen a full-on challenge that required so much time and advocacy on the part of teachers and school leaders. Last week, I had the pleasure of spending the day at South County Middle School in Lorton, VA, where the entire eighth grade read Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. They invited me as a visiting author to talk with the students about the book. A welcome gift: a charm bracelet honoring the novel South County Middle School is in Fairfax County, one of the most forward thinking municipalities in my state. The school is basically a little jewel, too. Clean building. Peaceful vibe. Decent kids from all backgrounds. Teachers who get giddy talking about new teaching ideas. Parents who show up for virtually everything. As schools go, it doesn’t get much better. So, it’s interesting to me that it’s also the place where use of my novel was so hotly debated. It was officially challenged by a small group of parents in a fight that dragged on and made its way up through the ranks of the School Board. The fearless team. Ms. Manning is…

I took a beautiful ride to Farmville, VA last week to be part of Longwood University's Summer Literacy Institute. What can you say about a couple hundred teachers, librarians, and library science students gathering in the summer to study strategies for helping people fall in love with reading? These are educators with true passion for books and kids. After the regional authors presented on Friday morning, we had a chance to workshop with the participants on a topic of our choice. (My session was on making zines with kids.) A.B.Westrick admiring a poster about her debut novel, Brotherhood An unexpected treat was seeing how the library science students researched our work and created posters. One of the posters for my work included links to two original trailers for my books. Here are the Vimeo links Melissa Hanes' trailers for  Tia Isa Wants a Car and Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. Thank you, Melissa! It was fun to see your mini-movies! All in all, it was a beautiful experience, so thank you Professors Wendy Snow, Francis Reeves, Audrey Church and friends.) Big shout out, too, for  L.M. Elliott, and Jason Wright, new author friends from Virginia. Happy summer!        

Here's a little photo-journal of my recent day in Washington with The Open Book Foundation where I worked with Kindergarten, second grade and eighth grade. Who can resist these young people? So bright and sweet! Adorable in every way. If you had your own car, what color would it be? Where would it take you? One of the eighth grade students becoming acquainted with magical realism... autographing for the students... You spell your name how? The Open Book Foundation arranges with the publisher to have each child receive an autographed copy of the author's book. The Foundation arranges with the publisher to have each student receive a free book by the author. Reading en español...

Sept. 22 - 23, 2012 at the Washington Mall The National Book Festival is just around the corner, and I plan to attend for the first time. I love visiting DC, so it was an easy decision to plan a day at the National Mall that celebrates all things literary. What's not to love about a fall day with nothing to do but meet authors and find out about new books?    In preparation for the fun, I'm happy to introduce you to one of the authors I'll be visiting. Hester Bass is a fellow Candlewick author and a downright lovely person. We met last year at the Ezra Jack Keats Awards, where the work of Gulf Coast artist Walter Anderson and Hester's  beautiful picture book about him (The Secret World of Walter Anderson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis) were the subjects of an exhibit during the festivities.  Please look for her Saturday, September 22, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.,  at the Alabama booth in the Pavilion of the States.  MM Superheroes, Save Us! In America today, it seems we live in the Cult of the Hero. The word is so overused and thus diluted that its definition is endangered, although its true meaning is felt all too acutely every September 11. A bold act of courage or selflessness is easier to recognize than invisible efforts to save the intangible, but there are people saving the culture of America every day and yes, they deserve to be called heroes. America The Melting…

If you know a young writer, send them to Pamunkey Regional Library (Rockville Branch) April 4, 7 pm. My pal Gigi Amateau and I are offering a free two-hour writing workshop for kids grades 6 - 12.  See you then!

Just a quick note:  My box of books arrived today! I was all misty eyed when the delivery guy brought them to my stoop. And, here's the correct link for the review of Tía Isa Wants a Car in PW. Sorry if you had to fish around for the info with the old link. Finally, hope you can come to the book launch at bbgb tales for kids on June 11, 1 - 3 pm or, later in the month, to an arts-crafts-and-reading activity June 26 at Barnes & Noble (Short Pump) 2 pm. Check out events page for other dates.

Last night I went to a Writing Show sponsored by James River Writers here in Richmond. In honor of poetry month, we feasted on the work and wisdom of Daniel Custódio, a slam artist from the Bronx; Luisa Igloria, a contemporary poet from the Virginia Beach area (also the head of the MFA writing program at Old Dominion University); and Susan Greenbaum, our local singer/songwriter and all-around darling person. Nathan Richardson hosted. I don’t consider myself a poet…for reasons that may become self evident in a second. But, so what? I’m not an Olympic swimmer either. That doesn’t keep me from enjoying my own sad paddle across the pool -- or from getting the benefits. What I learned from the panelists is that what matters more is the daily exercise (Luisa called it a devotional) of writing in a form that connects image and personal meaning so tightly. So on this, the very last day of poetry month, I’m sharing a very early piece. The backstory is this:  My father-in-law’s first love was a girl named Bella Lechuga, which translates roughly to “beautiful lettuce” in English. “What happened to her?” I asked him once. He didn’t know. After they left Cuba, everyone scattered to the winds. Señora Bella Lechuga Beautiful Lettuce Leans over the sewing machine Puts one good eye close To be sure her stitches are still straight. Knuckles lumped hard and red Claw her fingers around the lace. In the hot metal and threads She finds her white wrist…