La Casa Azul

Appearances The Writing Life

May 25, 2015

The Big Apple: BEA and Book Con 2015

I'll be spending almost the whole week in the Big Apple! This year I'll be part of Book Expo America and BookCon for the first time, which feels exciting. Here are the highlights, including some off-site places where I'll pop up, too. Back to the scene of the crime in Queens on May 27! I'll be talking about Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass and my other books back at the Flushing branch of the Queens Public Library, mere blocks from where I went to junior high school - and tangled with my own real-life bully so many years ago. Flashbacks here I come. Cornelia Connelly Center in the Village, May 28: Interestingly, this gig came as the result of a Jesuit priest who heard me speak at a Hispanic Heritage talk I gave at the Federal Reserve Bank last year. So excited to speak to the young women at this Catholic School. Speed dating at the ABC/CBC Tea, Friday, May 29, 3:30 PM, Javits Center Room 1E12/13: Booksellers will be getting lithos of my upcoming picture book Mango, Abuela, and Me, which hits bookstores in August. Public We Need Diverse Books reception at my favorite bookstore in Spanish Harlem, Friday, May 29, 7 PM: Join We Need Diverse Books authors at La Casa Azul, which is - hands down - one of my very favorite bookstores. Such a beautiful spot and a thoughtfully curated collection of works by Latino authors writing in Spanish and English. (143 E 103 Street, near…

Meg Medina

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Appearances The Writing Life

May 13, 2013

RJ Palacio and Me: Compassion Fans and old BFFs

Me, in Flushing You never forget your childhood best friends. There's something sacred about that special someone who shared sleepovers and ran races in the school yard just to see who was fastest. Or, as in my case, acted out Greek myths and enjoyed the mysteries of the Jew's harp. This Saturday, I have the extreme pleasure of reuniting with my grade school best friend, RJ Palacio, whose lovely book WONDER, is a # 1 New York Times Bestseller and is on just about everyone's favorite list.We'll be at La Casa Azul, noon - 2 pm, to talk books, compassion, and friendship. Just couldn't resist doing the bunny ears. With Raquel and our friend, Patty, in my apartment. Queens, NY Raquel and I grew up in Flushing, Queens, about a block from each other. We were in the same class and were generally inseparable, until middle school dispersed us and we lost touch for nearly 30 years. But Raquel and her family left an imprint on me that has lasted to this day. Her parents, Neli and Marco, extended affection and time my way like surrogate parents. When I think of my happiest days as a kid, I invariably think of our times together. Watching Neli comb out Raquel's hair with the help of a dab of Breck cream conditioner; weekends feeding goats at the Catskills Game Farm; my first ride on roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure; and visiting Niagra Falls. All of those good times – and…

Meg Medina

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Guests

August 6, 2012

John Parra and the Art of Libros

If you ask me, it's a great time to be interested in Latino children's books, mostly because there's a strong talent pool - one that includes John Parra. John is a tall, quiet guy whose beautiful, award-winning work is well-known in publishing circles. Luckily for the rest of us, it will also be on display and for sale next Saturday at La Casa Azul, a new indi bookstore in Harlem that celebrates Hispanic authors, artists, and readers. The show is called Infinitas Gracias (Infinite Thanks). I'll be there to ooh and ah with all his other fans. Mark your calendars and join us. 103 Street, between Park and Lexington.Take the No. 6 John was nice enough to put down his paintbrush and talk to us about his work. You are a long, long way from California, where you grew up. How did you end up in Queens? Has living in t New York impacted your artists' palette in any way? I ask because I'm from Queens, and I find that the city creeps into my books and stories pretty often, which I love. I moved to New York in 2000. I actually drove across the country from California. It took about a week and was a great adventure. The main reason for the move was to do more illustration work in publishing and advertising here. Plus I always had it in my mind that I would really like to live in New York. I think the city has influenced my work a bit…

Meg Medina

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