BPL
I *love* the Brooklyn Public Library. I won’t start gushing again; I’m pretty sure I’ve written about the first time I saw the golden figures on the central branch’s facade…I knew right away that magical things could happen in Brooklyn. Today’s presentation went well. I left feeling unsure, of course, and might take Shadra’s advice and film myself so I can get a sense of what the children see as part of the audience. I was actually surprised by how intimate the Dweck felt–the stage is quite small, and not too high off the ground. I stood at a podium and flipped through my slides; we had some audio problems, but for the most part I could hear the kids and they got nice and quiet so they could hear the two trailers I played for them. I left my CD at home and so couldn’t play any music, but without the speakers, it wouldn’t have worked out anyway. At the end, a cluster of students pressed up against the stage; during the Q&A someone had asked what my first book was, and I told them “Lucy in the Sky,” a story I wrote after my best friend from college passed away. Then someone wanted to know how Lucy died. I paused, but decided to be honest: she committed suicide. Then more hands shot up–mostly boys wanting to know HOW she killed herself, and then I did deflect, saying it was a sad topic but I’d tell them privately afterwards. So here came these boys wanting to know–did she jump off a building? Uh, no. She hanged herself. !!! NOT the conversation I expected to have with these 6th graders! But they were a really nice bunch, and some had read the book, and they seemed really interested in A Wish After Midnight and another story I shared with them, “The Boy in the Bubble.” When the boys were shepherded away by their teacher (who confessed her own love for Ezra Jack Keats), one little girl remained. I think she must have been a teacher’s child, b/c she clearly wasn’t a 6th grader. She asked, “What was your favorite book when you were little?” And I knelt down and thought for a moment: “I *loved* Ezra Jack Keats’ books, and I loved Frog & Toad, too,” I told her. “But I think my favorite was The Story of Ferdinand. Do you know that book?” She didn’t, so I told her the story of the bull who preferred to smell flowers rather than fight, and then she smiled and went away. I was left alone in the auditorium, and worried for a moment that I had offended my hosts by letting the talk turn to suicide…but later I heard from the coordinator of special events; she had to leave to deal with an emergency, but she loved the talk, thought the kids got a lot out of it, and asked me to do four more presentations at two other branches and two high schools. Shadra’s mantra is “Living the Dream”–it’s also the name of her blog! I feel like that’s what I’m doing. I got my rejection email from Princeton this afternoon, and so hit the job websites again; there’s a creative writing gig at a nearby college–just a few blocks away. Gotta believe that the universe has something in store for me. And maybe it’s not academic. Maybe I’ll find a way to partner with these orgs I love so much–the museum, the library, the public schools. I’m sending out more review copies of Wish. I *loved* being able to tell the kids today that soon Wish will be on the shelf in their local library! This is it–living the dream…
the greatest reward:
a small girl smiles, satisfied
nourished by my words
I’ve been remiss in sharing Shadra’s big news: her new book is out, and it’s a hit! Check out Booklist’s starred review:
Booklist gives OUR CHILDREN CAN SOAR
*Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change.
“Celebration, inspiration, and connection are the themes that drive this big, handsome picture book with art by 13 leading artists. There is the celebration of the historic 2008 presidential election, its connection with the African American trailblazers and leaders that made it possible, and inspiration for young people today. Based on phrases that appeared at rallies, on blogs, and in text messages during the election, the spare words focus on the exciting biography and history: “Ella sang . . . so Jackie could score. Jackie scored . . . so Rosa could sit.” In their signature styles, many great artists are at their best here, including E. B. Lewis, Bryan Collier, Leo and Diane Dillon, and AG Ford. James Ransome’s beautiful opening painting, accompanying the words “our ancestors fought,” shows runaway slaves, a Civil War soldier, and a story quilt. The climactic spread is Eric Velasquez’s portrait of Obama as a new president before a cheering crowd. Of course there will be controversy about who is missing (no Malcolm X or W.E.B. DuBois?). And why include the actress who played the stereotyped Mammy in Gone with the Wind? But,
as Marion Wright Edelman says in her foreword, the book’s message of hope will inspire parents and grandparents to share their memories and talk with children about the future.”— Booklist, starred review
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