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More than two decades of civil war in Sudan caused much trauma, displacement, and destruction. Children were forced to flee the country, and many of the boys became known as “The Lost Boys of Sudan”. In the midst of the pain, stories like Salva Dut’s shone. From the Water for South Sudan website: “As an 11-year old Dinka from Tonj in southwest Sudan, Salva fled first to Ethiopia. Then later, as a teenager, he led 1500 ‘Lost Boys’ hundreds of miles through the Southern Sudan desert to the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. That courage and heroic perseverance continue to this day. Relocated to the United States in 1996, he now leads Water for South Sudan, Inc., the non-profit organization he founded in 2003.”

Salva’s story was told in Linda Sue Park’s bestselling and award-winning 2010 novel, A Long Walk To Water. Park combines Salva’s true story with the…

A screenwriter and actor, Michael S. Bandy’s first children’s book began as an idea for a movie short. Inspired by his agent, he and co-author Eric Stein began the hard work of creating a picture book instead. That decision would launch a new career. White Water (illustrated by Shadra Strickland, published by Candlewick), their children’s book debut, became an award-winning title that was turned into a TV movie.

Since then, Michael and his writing partner have written two more books for kids – the acclaimed Granddaddy’s Turnand the forthcoming Northbound, both published by Candlewick and inspired by Michael’s life. We are proud to feature Michael on Day 20.

The Journey

My foray in publishing has been one of exhilaration and wonderment. It began over 30 years ago when I was an NBC Page. There with my future writing partner, Eric Stein (who was a Page as well), we attempted to come up with writing…

As an author / illustrator, there’s nothing like looking back at the books I’ve done to make me feel proud. And when I think that I published my first book way back in 1997, there’s nothing quite like that to make me feel old. With the possible exception of interviewing Anaya Lee Willabus, who is all of 9 years old! Once I got over that, it was indeed a pleasure to share the spotlight on this up-and-coming author.

So without further delay, The Brown Bookshelf would like to introduce you to today’s star of 28 Days Later: Miss Anaya Lee Willabus.

Enjoy!

The Process: How do you work? Do you start with a character, a concept, an idea? Do you outline first or just go? Is there a technique or routine for drafting or revising that you find particularly helpful? Do you have an office or other location that works…

I read in an interview with Lynn Baber in 2009 that Benjamin Zephaniah lives in England for seven months out of the year, the rest of the time he lives in China. Wow, that sounds like an interesting guy. Reading more about him, proved that thought to be true. He is a poet, novelist, lyricist, musician and a Tai Chi follower.

Zephaniah is the author of several young adult novels. Terror Kid (Hot Key Books, 2014) tells the story of Rico, a computer whizz kid. He wants to help during the English riots, but he also doesn’t want to attract trouble. Can he use his computer skills to help? Is the new guy, Speech, the answer? Read more about Zephaniah here The Guardian . 

Zephaniah is also the author of Face (Bloomsbury Children and Teen; Reprint edition 2004). Marin Turner’s face is badly disfigured in a horrific car accident. Taunted…