Neesha Meminger is the author of Shine, Coconut Moon (Margaret K. McElderry, March 2009). She was born in India, raised in Toronto, and currently lives in New York City. She has taught undergraduate freshmen at college campuses in New York (both public and private), and loves expanding the hearts and minds of readers.  Briefly describe [...]

Writer/Educator, Laura Atkins, shares her racism experiences.    Laura Atkins‘ essay, “What’s the Story? ~ Reflections on White Privilege in the Publication of Children’s Books”     Briefly describe the impact racism had on you as a young person.   I was very aware of race/racism from a fairly young age, as my dad (especially) talked about it, [...]

Follow me now….              Last year I reviewed the book The Mzungu Boy (Groundwood, 2005), by Kenyan born author, Meja Mwangi, after working with a teacher who spent most of her summer preparing for the novel – which was new to her curriculum. You see, the language arts faculty members were eager to diversify their reading selections, so she [...]

A Department of Education representative just gave me permission to repost their press release on the "READ TO THE TOP!" initiative happening today at noon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISOR TO JOIN U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY FOR "READ TO THE TOP!" READING INITIATIVE U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be joined by Secretary of [...]

It’s my belief that 16-year old, Walter Curry Jr., would not have been the victim of a vicious hate crime (being doused with gasoline and set on fire), if the 16-year assailant had been properly educated. Properly means, learning about the world - through a lens - so he could see a clear picture. Possible? (hat tip-@kishizuka  & @editi ) Imagine [...]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=6955159 http://www.techlearning.com/article/21414 update on vail

http://www.examiner.com/x-19027-Albany-Interfaith-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m8d13-From-Flame-to-Eunice-to-Stephen http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/

An open letter to Attorney General Eric Holder.  August 11, 2009   Attorney General Eric Holder U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530-0001   Dear Attorney General Holder,   I want to start a WAR: WRITERS AGAINST RACISM!            When you spoke at the Department of Justice in February in [...]

If you are a regular reader, you will know that most of my summer was spent thinking about Euna Lee and Laura Ling, and what life would must have been like for them in North Korea, as prisoners. We should keep in mind, these journalists were on a hunt to tell a story about mothers and [...]

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