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Interviews! Lots of Wonderful Interviews!


I just listened to a wonderful interview with Laurie Halse Anderson on a ReadWriteThink podcast. Laurie speaks with such heartfelt concern, understanding and compassion for young adult girls with eating disorders, the topic of her latest book Wintergirls (to be released March 19).

Additionally, Laurie has written a poem in honor of the 10th anniversary of the publication of Speak. The opening and closing stanzas were written by Laurie, but the lines in the middle were all taken from the many letters she has received from young readers over the years. Laurie reads the poem in the podcast but you can watch her read the poem here. Before you watch it though, be prepared. As soon as the words of the young readers hit me, I started crying. It is a very moving poem to say the least and definitely a suiting tribute to her many readers.

The Brown Bookshelf has a great interview with Jacqueline Woodson you don't want to miss. It includes a discussion of Peace, Locomotion, the sequel to Locomotion and a look into one of her new picturebooks soon to be released.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast has a terrific feature on illustrator extraordinaire Bryan Collier. Lots of stunning examples of his artwork!

Kristine at Best Books I Have Not Read has an interview with Margaret Peterson Haddix. She is one of those authors for whom I anxiously await new releases, and she rarely disappoints. I really enjoyed the first book in her new Missing series, Found, this summer and look forward to the next book, which, according to the interview, is finished and will be out in August. This interview gets at some of the questions we always want to ask an author, but never do, such as: What do you desperately wish you knew how to do? What are you currently reading or planning to read? and, Do you have a favorite author?

Publisher's Weekly has a Q & A with Lisa Yee about Absolutely Maybe, her first novel for young adults.

Author Cynthia Leitich Smith has an interview with poet and 2009 NCTE Poetry Award Winner Lee Bennett Hopkins. He talks about the memories he hold from his long and illustrious career and his upcoming poetry books.

Public School Insights offers: Turning Boys into Readers: A Conversation with Children's Literature Laureate Jon Scieszka in honor of Read Across America day. Jon talks about the job responsibilities of a Laureate, the Internet, children choosing their own books to read, the Guys Read initiative, and upcoming books.

What a collection of stellar interviews! The kidlitosphere has really been busy. As usual, I am very thankful for all the blogger do for children's literature.

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