Autumn research in New England
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In this issue: catch up with my Massachusetts research trip, explore the Boston Book Festival, and learn about my recent top read for middle grade. Plus: the SCBWI Winter Conference, and find me on Instagram to help celebrate one year of FRIEND ME with a global giveaway for two readers!
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Janae doesn't get the usual kind of nervous when she has to make a speech to her class: hers is a sweaty, dizzy panic that feels like dying. But her speech partner is her first-ever friend, Aubrey, who can't wait for debating day. Will Janae lose her only friend, or can she beat her panic attacks? Set against a backdrop of her town deciding whether to rename a school after real-life eight-year-old hero Sylvia Mendez, who helped desegregate California schools, SOMETHING TO SAY by Lisa Moore Ramee is beautifully written and pitch-perfect for middle grade fans of Rebecca Stead, Meg Medina and Janae Marks. Audiobook narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson acts every part brilliantly and makes it an unforgettable listen. 5 *
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SCBWI Winter Conference keynote announced
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For kidlit writers and illustrators, the pandemic has put world-class agent, editor and author advice and inspiration at our disposal, including the SCBWI Winter Conference. It's online rather than in New York in 2022, and registration opens 2 December for the February 11-13 event. Keynotes include Kelly Yang, author of one of my top reads of 2021, FRONT DESK. Register at SCBWI.org
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Enter the FRIEND ME global giveaway
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I'm celebrating one year of FRIEND ME with a global giveaway over on Instagram. No matter where you live, you can enter to win one of two paperback copies of my middle-grade thriller, which published November 2020. It's just picked up a nomination for the Cybils Awards, which are huge, as they're decided by the blogging community. I'd love it if you could help me spread the word about the giveaway! Go here for details and to enter.
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Big thanks to Sarah Broadley for this interview about my writing methods and inspiration for FRIEND ME. See it on the wonderful kidlit resource, My Book Corner.
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Research roadtrip: Massachusetts in autumn
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Thanks to High Lawn Farm, Lely Vermont, Framingham History Center, The Bookstore in Lenox, Massachusetts, Lululemon and Nordstrom Burlington Mall for helping with my research! Your kind help made the trip a success.
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Explore adult and kidlit events at Boston Book Festival
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THE ENDURING LEGACY OF SLAVERY at Boston Book Festival, with Clint Smith and Annette-Gordon Reed, was just one of the remarkable events that you can still find online, on Facebook. Enjoy adult and kidlit focussed events (on graphic novels, middle grade, YA and more) with more BBF videos here.
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Here's where you can buy FRIEND ME:
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