And when I was a toddler trying to break out of diapers – the cloth kind – Virginia Hamilton was carrying the W.A.R. torch. And until recently, I had NO idea how much she contributed to the literary community! Why didn’t I know of her accomplishments? Why is she buried in my history? Were my eyes closed, or was my schooling lacking?
I mean, in school, we were expected to read The House of Dies Drear, but we were never taught about the author. Should we (I) have been? That said, I am going to take my time in explaining how she, Virginia Hamilton came into my life, and why the tears I cried today peeled away another layer of learning for me.
If you’re new to Facebook (shame on you), here’s what a thread looks like. I’ve never posted one in the past because FB tends to be its own world. So in an effort to bridge our two worlds together, I thought how great it would be to share with you an upcoming special series of postings. Yes – THE Virginia Hamilton’s, husband, Arnold Adoff, sent me a book to review about his late wife’s WRITINGS, ESSAYS, & CONVERSATIONS. And if you didn’t already know, Hamilton was/is famous for her classic works: M.C. Higgins, the Great; Zeely; The People Could Fly, and many more award winning novels.
This series begins with a recent Facebook thread.
My status update:
Amy Bodden Bowllan is honored to be reviewing VIRGINIA HAMILTON SPEECHES, ESSAYS & CONVERSATIONS Edited by Arnold Adoff and Kacy Cook. What a maverick she was.
Nice to see Virginia Hamilton on your blog. I have enjoyed her writing and will look for this selection.
Amy, I think your comment, “I had NO idea,” applies to all of us. Since the beginning of the W.A.R. movement on your incredible blog, each time I read an entry, I think, I HAD NO IDEA! If WE had no idea, can you only imagine what the rest of the country must be thinking.
Like George Edward Stanley above, I too read your W.A.R. entries and most of the time say “I had NO idea” and this is one of those. I look forward to this collection. Is the summer event you discuss the diversity in libraries conf. at Princeton? If so, I’ll let the RIF team attending know to look for you!
B and George…Thank you for being the stallworths in the movement. Your support has been THE MOVEMENT. George, YOU started this. Let’s not forget this.
Thanks so much!
Rasco from RIF – I will be presenting at Princeton this summer and would love to touch base with you there.
B and George…Thank you for being the stallworths in the movement. Your support has been THE MOVEMENT. George, YOU started this. Let’s not forget this.
Thanks so much!
Rasco from RIF – I will be presenting at Princeton this summer and would love to touch base with you there.