News-a-Rama: Teen Read Week, Arts & Humanities Month

There’s really been a lot going on in the world of literature and related subjects, but because I evidently decided that drowning in work was desirable, I’ve been just a little overwhelmed–and now, I’ll be leaving for a month-long trip (my husband is on sabbatical this year) and may not have much time to tune in via blog, Twitter, or any of the other random ways I pop my head above water.

But ANYWAY. Before I leave. A few things. Our blog bud and writing friend Beth Kephart is Readergirlz Writer in Residence this fall, and we couldn’t think of a better person to inaugurate what’s hopefully a recurring feature.

Check out Lee Wind’s roundtable with authors whose books have recently been challenged, including Ellen Hopkins, E. Lockhart, and Frank Portman. It’s a little late for Banned Books Week, but it’s never too late to remember that books are challenged year round and not just one week a year…

It’s National Arts and Humanities Month–check the map to see if something exciting is happening in your area. (There’s a big ol’ goose egg happening in MY town. Of course.) Teen Read Week is also coming up this month, with the Readergirlz hosting some incredibly fabulous authors including Patrick Ness (who we like very much), Justina Chen Headley, Cassandra Clare, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Readergirlz Holly Cupala, Lorie Ann Grover, and Dia Calhoun.

Lastly, but TOTALLY not least, is something that Tanita did not mention here but on her author blog, which is that she is doing a Snoopy dance for the most excellent reason that her latest novel Mare’s War is under consideration for the ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2010 list. Woo hoo and Snoopy dancing!! Read more about her book, as well as Sara Lewis Holmes’ latest release, and hang out with the two of them and Adrienne and Jules, over at the 7-Imp Dance Party.