KRLemmons African American Young Adult Literature

Interview: Crystal Chan

Edith's avatarCrazyQuilts Edi

Crystal Chan debuted in January with Bird. I caught up with Crystal a few weeks ago and she was gracious enough to give me some time for an interview. While I hadn’t read Bird at the time of the interview, I have completed and reviewed it.

This summary appeared on Amazon.

Gr 4–6—Jewel never met her brother. On the day she was born, he tried to fly off a cliff and died. Her Bird-coverparents believe that Grandpa’s nickname for his grandson, Bird, caused a bad spirit, a duppy, to trick the boy into believing he could fly. Twelve years later, Grandpa has still not spoken a word and Jewel is fed up with her moody parents and unloving household. She meets a boy who calls himself John, her brother’s real name. They share their hopes and dreams and Jewel opens up about visiting the cliff to bury her worries as…

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KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Literature, African American Young Adult Literature, Lesson Plans, Resources

Happy Birthday Ralph Waldo Ellison!

Ralph Waldo Ellison, the author of the classic book Invisible Man was born on March 1.  Information on this author can be found by clicking on the following links:

Library of Congress. Type Ralph Ellison in the search box and view hundreds of primary resources on this author at http://loc.gov

PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/ralph-ellison/an-american-journey/587/

NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9977702

Lesson plans/activities on Invisible Man

Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/highschool/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679732761&view=tg

PBS: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/ralph-ellisons-invisible-man/ 

Ms. Effie’s LifeSavers for Teachers: http://mseffie.com/AP/Invisible%20Man.pdf

KRLemmons African American Young Adult Literature

New YA Author: Valerie Day-Sanchez

Edith's avatarCrazyQuilts Edi

I really enjoy networking on Twitter because I’m able to meet people like author Valerie Day-Sanchez. She recently interviewed me on her blog and, isn’t turnabout fair play?

I thought I’d try out my 2014 word [SHINE] and ask  Valerie What makes you shine? What do you do that makes you feel vital and gives you energy?What delights you?

When are you able to get in the flow and have your writing (or other talents) flourish?

Shine…what makes me light up, feel inspired, makes me rejoice or simply get out of bed in the morning? Aside from my awesome husband and my gorgeous boys there is one thing that motivates and drives me. One thing that gives me the inspiration to write, gives me the energy to chase my kids, and teach and that is possibility.
The idea that really anything is possible, the realization that there…

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KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Literature, African American Young Adult Literature

The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Day 16: Kelli London

Kelli London, author of seven young adult novels, is spotlighted today in The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later.  Her titles include: Charly’s Epic Fiascos, Reality Check, Star Power, Boyfriend Season, Cali Boys, and Uptown Dreams.  Her most recent book is the fourth in the Charly’s Epic Fiascos series, Beware of Boys. Read more about this prolific writer here.