Your Students … Or Your Customers?
“In other words, know your customer,” she says. Customer. This word is the last straw. I can't keep my hand down any longer. As if it’s not enough that… More
The Other America: Black Lives and the Police State
With the deaths of so many black Americans at the hands of both police officers and white vigilantes who have escaped punishment, we are coming to see that two… More
PEN Fights Robie Harris Book Ban in Singapore
The best literature for children both reflects and responds to changing social mores and realities. More
A Tribute to Walter Dean Myers (August 12, 1937-July 1, 2014)
His element was as a spokesman for the male point of view in black literature for children. More
Recommended Reading: Picture Book Writing
School's out! And the kids are sure to love coming home to these stories. These picture books are entertaining and educational for every age. Our Judges Mac Barnett, Ted… More
Why Do You Write? Adult and Teen Writers Speak Out
Unlike posh private schools, the inner-city public and charter high schools have no money to bring authors; yet they have enthusiastic readers and writers who deserve support. More
Writing About Children and War
Since children are the most vulnerable citizens of any society, it seems rather obvious that they are the citizens most likely to be negatively affected by war. Until very… More
A Different Kind of Book Prize
This summer’s crowd came to the park on a sweltering hot day not only to commemorate the Civil Rights milestone that those 1963 protests achieved. Many came also to… More
This Book is Not a Car
When my husband and I started writing young adult novels 20 years ago, I never expected our biggest obstacle to be the Nervous Parent. I think that’s because I… More
The Stamp Collector: A Review and Interview
On December 11th members of PEN American met in the Center’s offices to send messages of solidarity and support to imprisoned writers and their families around the world. Does… More
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The vagueness is the point. @ThePlumLineGS gets it right. Lawmakers had many chances to make the Don't Say Gay law clearer; they kept it vague. State guidance has also gone further than the original law, w/ worse penalties. Results are #Chilling #EdScare
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/27/desantis-school-libraries-dont-say-gay-critical-race-theory/
Still so proud to have been involved in this project, with amazing and dedicated collaborators @saliltripathi, @suketumehta, and Kiran Desai. Love for India and its promise and potential span decades, nationality, and continents. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1618972267354136576
I am honored to be one of the judges for this year's PEN/ROBERT J. DAU SHORT STORY PRIZE FOR EMERGING WRITERS @PENamerica
https://pen.org/meet-the-2023-literary-awards-judges/