PEN Pals: Margarita Engle and Padma Venkatraman Use Words as Bridges
“I knew that poetry could help me feel empathy and compassion as well as joy. I hoped that would be true for young readers and writers too.” More
PEN Pals: Eliot Schrefer and Padma Venkatraman on When Others Take Up the Torch
“I knew I couldn’t contribute to the cultural life of an institution that actively discriminates against its students—that didn’t want people like me to exist.” More
PEN Pals: Stacey Lee and Padma Venkatraman Discuss Books Breaking Stereotypes
“The more books representing our diverse cultures we have on our shelves, the more we can break stereotypes, and the more we can learn about our similarities as humans.” More
PEN Pals: Fatima Shaik Interviews Susan Kuklin About LGBTQ+ Books and How They Save Lives
“The library is supposed to be an inclusive institution, conceived for all, not some or a few.” More
PEN America Remembers the Extraordinary Beverly Cleary
PEN America today expressed deep sadness at the death of beloved children’s book author Beverly Cleary. More
Open Letter to Utah’s Murray City School District Officials
We urge the Murray City School District to rescind the review and suspension of “equity book bundles,” featuring diverse authors and inclusive literature. More
Writers in Residence: Cooking Gumbo Z’herbes with Fatima Shaik
Fatima Shaik teaches us how to cook delicious gumbo z’herbes. More
PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists
The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists is offered annually and awards $5,000 to an author of children’s or young adult fiction. More
2018 PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship
The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship is offered annually and awards $5,000 to an author of children’s or young adult fiction. More
PEN America report analyzes challenges for diverse youth literature
PEN America's report on challenges facing diversity in children's and young adult literature is published in time for Banned Books Week. More
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PEN America On 
Bad news from Mississippi today, where the state senate passed an educational gag order that applies to all public universities and K-12 schools. Among other things, the bill could threaten recognition of the Black Law Students Association at the University of Mississippi.
We have just learned the Myanmar military have sentenced Ko Jimmy and Phyo Zayar Thaw to death for alleged anti-coup activities.
https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/democracy-veteran-ko-jimmy-and-former-nld-mp-phyo-zayar-thaw-sentenced-to-death
Oh, I’ve been waiting for this little gift for a bit now. Here’s a sneak peek for the rest of you! @PENamerica #reginalddwaynebetta #prisonwriting
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