W.A.R writer Zetta Elliott, who helped to spearhead the movement, allowed me permission to show her video from a recent panel discussion: Speculative Fiction & the Future of Publishing (It’s extremely informative.) I wasn’t able to fully grasp all areas of Zetta’s discussion because it is filled with relevancy to take note of in literature. I’m also RUSHING to the [...]

Introducing my next wave of authors who are joining the W.A.R series.  Jan Godown Annino writes fiction and non-fiction in Florida, where she moved as a  child, from rural New Jersey. You can visit her blog, or contact her on Facebook: She Sang Promise: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader (National Geographic Children’s Books (March [...]

Tarie Sabido is a reader, graduate student, editor, and educator in the Philippines.  She blogs about children’s and young adult literature at Into the Wardrobe and Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind. Please visit her blogs to learn more.  Sabido’s blogs are "about books set in Asia and books with Asian characters (regardless of [...]

I was just reading my friend Nilki’s blog, musings, and was ECSTATIC to read this > "Dominican author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Junot Díaz to Columbia University’s Pulitzer Prize Board."  That’s a major step and a major statement, in that the more the variety of voices that are speaking, the more people will listen – or in [...]

I must thank Robin Adelson for inviting me to today’s event at the CBS Saturday Early Show. It was certainly well-worth waking up for on a Saturday morning. The Children’s Book Council has really been inspiring me lately with so many global initiative possibilities, especially in regards to diversity in K-12 reading lists.

Just a quick update: I did manage to wake up this morning at 5:30 and drag my daughter with me to see the live taping of the CBS Saturday Early Show on the 5th Avenue plaza.  It was a great time! There were happy kids who were eager to receive their free books – thanks to the Children’s [...]

I am honored!!!! Robin Adelson Shinder is the Director of the Children’s Book Council and works very closely with Katherine Paterson. She invited me (and my kids) to join her on the CBS Early Show plaza (59th & 5th) at 7:15 am tomorrow morning - Saturday – where they will be giving away books and announcing the winners of the Children’s [...]

The other day my good friend Cassandra Butcher sent me this belated blog birthday gift, and I wanted to share it with you, as it speaks to why we do what we do - as educators, parents, librarians, publishers, authors, etc. It’s a commencement speech delivered by Steve Jobs at Stanford University. His speech is indeed, timely, as I [...]

I am sure you will agree that gifts are not always the nicely packaged ones with bows and wrapping paper. Right? Sometimes a gift can present itself in the form of words spoken, or deeds done.  Well last week was a week to remember. I must thank you ALL for the warm wishes and support. And [...]

How sweet, Jerry! Thank you so much! Chocolate is my favorite!!! My Website: www.mamasboyz.com My Animation: http://www.youtube.com/user/JCmamasboyz Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Linked In… Newest Book: Mama’s Boyz: The Big Picture