Skip to main content
Tag

Latinas for Latino Literature

AppearancesCommunity workThe Writing Life
April 28, 2015

DIA events rule my world this week

Ah, breakfast at home. I'm just back from Loudoun County Public Library in Northern Virginia, where I spoke at It's All Write, their annual short story writing contest for teens. With Bev and Wright Horton It's always amazing to me how many unexpected gifts are part of these visits. I got to see the work of young people coming up the ranks - always fun. This time around, too, I learned about how Loudoun has a book club for adults with developmental disabilities. (Guess what I'm interested in starting here in Richmond?) I met librarians who are secret playwrights and novelists. I met young people who want to study children's book illustration. And, of course, I had the honor of meeting Bev and Wright Horton, a former teacher and a geologist, who are the long time benefactors of the program that touches hundreds and hundreds of kids in their area. They do so in honor of their late son, James, who loved writing. "James would have loved this contest," Bev told me. Personal loss redirected into something positive for a community confirmed for me AGAIN that the literary arts - the stories of all of us - are a powerful force for connection and healing. So for all of that, thank you (camera-shy)Linda Holtslander for the invitation to Loudoun County and for the chance to spend time with the amazing people at Park View HS, Tuscarora HS, and the Rust Library. Writing at Park View HS! My Cuban friend -…
AppearancesAwards and newsLatino LifeThe Writing Life
June 24, 2013

¡Verano! (Summer – the best time for book lovers)

With author Monika Shröder at the LUCY conference on multicultural lit A quick post today as I settle back from my amazing day celebrating multicultural lit at the LUCY conference at Old Dominion University. Looking forward to a busy first week of summer talking books, culture, and connection. At the Girls of Summer launch with some of our favorite librarians and authors KP Madonia and Jeri Watts. 1.  Gigi Amateau and I continue to celebrate our Girls of Summer list. Our launch last week was a huge success with about 180 mothers, daughters, librarians, teachers, and all-around book lovers enjoying free ice cream, book talk, and a celebration of strong girls. Hope you are enjoying Tanita Davis's Q & A this week. Looking ahead to Friday, 6/28 you'll meet the fabulous Latina author Guadalupe Garcia McCall on our site. She'll talk about winning the Pura Belpré prize for Under the Mesquite,  and how she found a way to tell a story based on one of her most painful challenges. 2.  For my Latino friends with kids, please check this out! A summer reading list for Latino readers from the blogging community. Latinas for Latino Literature provide book lists by age group, activities, and ideas for encouraging reading. Please follow them on Facebook, too, where you'll see the growing community around Latinos, youth, and empowerment through reading. 3. I'll be at the Shenandoah Children's Literature Conference this Tuesday and Wednesday as part of "Heavy Medal," celebrating children's book authors who have won…