Teen Classics, Now on Your Radio

Imagine my surprise–and glee–when I got into our old clunker Tercel today (my husband having taken the Civic) and turned on the radio (only radio in the Tercel) and tuned in just in time to catch the last half of Books That Helped Us Grow Up on Talk of the Nation. The book talk included guest Lizzie Skurnick, author of Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics We Never Stopped Reading, and teen author Meg Cabot. I enjoyed hearing the guests as well as the callers gushing about “pre-Twilight, pre-Potter” favorites, like Katherine Paterson and Madeleine L’Engle; like Forever and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret–books that you probably grew up on if you’re over thirty. (God, am I over thirty? Sheesh! Don’t tell anyone!) Anyway, it’s well worth a listen just for Skurnick and Cabot’s enthusiasm about young people’s literature.

Attention young writers: just a quick notice of a Dragon Song contest for writers aged 8 – 14 sponsored by Wizards of the Coast/Mirrorstone–the deadline is August 9, and kids “can participate individually or as part of a group. Entries must be submitted by a librarian and the winning library submission will receive dragon books and fun materials to share with the individual or group.” The entries should consist of a short verse to continue a song about dragons, located here. More info can be found here.

About the author

Sarah Jamila Stevenson is a writer, artist, editor, graphic designer, proofreader, and localization QA tester, so she wears a teetering pile of hats. On any given day, she is very tired. She is the author of the middle grade graphic novel Alexis vs. Summer Vacation, and three YA novels, including the award-winning The Latte Rebellion.

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