Uncategorized
-
Here are the Finalists for the 2017 Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards!
The seven finalists in each of the four categories for the 10th Annual Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards, the only national books awards voted on only by children and …
-
First Book and Every Child a Reader Partner for Children’s Book Week’s First-ever Book Donation
NEW YORK CITY, February 3, 2017 —Every Child a Reader, the sponsor of Children’s Book Week, and First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 160 million …
-
2017 Children’s Book Week Poster Revealed; Event Location Online Sign-up Now Open
New York, NY – January 20, 2017 – Every Child a Reader has revealed the official Children’s Book Week poster commemorating the 98th annual celebration of books for young people …
-
Utilizing Senstivity Readers: A Conversation with Becky Albertalli
Contributed by Becky Albertalli, Author
Tell us about your upcoming (and hotly anticipated!) novel.
My second novel, The Upside of Unrequited (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, April 2017), is a loose companion to my debut, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. It’s about a chubby, anxious, seventeen-year-old Jewish girl named Molly, who’s falling in love after a long line of unrequited crushes.
Although this is an Own Voices book, you worked with twelve sensitivity readers on the manuscript. Can you share a bit about that experience?
Upside is very much an Own Voices book (a term derived from a hashtag created by author Corinne Duyvis to denote when an author belongs to the same marginalized community/ies as their character). Like Molly, I’m Jewish and chubby/fat, and I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. So much of Molly’s story was inspired by my own teen experience.
That said, I took great care when fleshing out Molly and her diverse community, which includes many POC and lesbian/bi/queer/pan characters. Many writers have shared advice for writing thoughtful, well-researched characters from marginalized communities they don’t belong to (my favorite is this piece in Writer Magazine by Nic Stone, author of the forthcoming Dear Martin).
For me, one of the most rewarding parts of this process was my work with sensitivity readers. The term sensitivity reader refers to a hired reader who belongs to the same marginalized community as your character, who reads with an eye toward critiquing the representation of that marginalized group. The author or the publisher pays the reader for their expertise, though it’s not uncommon for two authors to reciprocate sensitivity or beta reads instead of exchanging money. Authors and sensitivity readers often connect via word of mouth, but there are also resources for finding readers (for example, author Justina Ireland’s Writing in the Margins database).
For Upside, I had the opportunity to work with multiple sensitivity readers who belong to the same communities as my marginalized secondary characters. I also sought out a few second opinions on fat representation, Jewish issues, and anxiety, even though I was writing from personal experience on these three points. These readers gave me both broad and specific feedback, which I consolidated and addressed in revisions.
I found that it was particularly valuable, when feasible, to hear from more than one member of any given community. Sometimes these readers would catch the same issue. For example, two readers gave me a similar note about a factual error I’d made with respect to historically black colleges and universities. In that case, I was able to make a quick, straightforward change.
However, my readers often highlighted different moments in the text, and sometimes would even disagree on certain points. This is completely normal, and should be expected – every community includes a range of perspectives. Typically, I was able to find solutions to address the issues, even when they initially appeared contradictory. For example, one reader noted that a particular character’s ease connecting with romantic partners felt unrealistic in the context of my story. Another reader appreciated the romantic arc and felt it accurately reflected their own experiences. Ultimately, I was able to flesh out this character’s environment in a way that made her romance feel more organic.
Overall, the marginalized characters in my book felt richer and more complex after I addressed the notes from my sensitivity readers. I’m incredibly grateful for their feedback, and I encourage anyone writing outside their lane to seek similar input.
Becky Albertalli is the author of the acclaimed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, winner of the William C. Morris Award and longlisted for the National Book Award. She is currently at work on her third novel.
-
National Ambassador Gene Luen Yang on Honing His Craft
Yang found success through his own determination and through the support of his peers, including fellow graphic novelist Derek Kirk Kim and other Bay Area artists that came together to form a …
-
The Children’s Book Council Partners with Educators to Present the Best STEM Books
The First Children’s STEM Book List New York, NY – January 18, 2017 – The Children’s Book Council (CBC) has announced the first-ever educator-vetted Best STEM Books list, a joint …
-
Solebury School Takes on the Reading Without Walls Challenge
Leading the way, Solebury’s head of school has pledged to read a book that students feel will expand his reading horizons. Here he is reading their selection: Harry Potter and the …
-
The Children’s Book Council Welcomes New Member Publishers in 2016
The following publishers are now members: Advance Publishing Archie Comic Publications Inc. Bliss Group Books Blue Marlin Publications Boyds Mills Press Calithumpain Press Enchanted Lion Fabled Films Press GLM Publishing …
-
PBS Newshour Features National Ambassador Gene Luen Yang
Through his official platform, “Reading Without Walls,” Yang encourages readers of all ages to pick up a book that is unlike their usual reading — one that offers a window …
-
National Ambassador Gene Luen Yang to Deliver Keynote at the 2017 One Book Two Book Festival
Yang is the Printz Award winning author of American Born Chinese. A former computer science teacher, he has taught writing in Hamline University’s MFA program since 2012. Yang is a graphic novelist and …
-
Screen-Free Week to Partner with Children’s Book Week for May 1 – 7, 2017
Boston, MA – December 14, 2016 — Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, sponsor of Screen-Free Week, announces its partnership with Every Child a Reader, sponsor of Children’s Book Week. Both …
-
Penguin Young Readers Together with the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader to Establish the Anna Dewdney Read Together Award in Memory of the Late Author and Illustrator
New York, NY – December 9, 2016 – Penguin Young Readers, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader have partnered to launch a picture book prize in honor …
-
National Ambassador Gene Luen Yang’s Creativity in Progress Series: Part 10
In his latest post, Yang explores the three types of research (as defined by screenwriter Robert McKee): memory, imagination, and book research. Yang has drawn on each of these techniques in his effort …
-
Presenting the 2017 Best STEM Books Preview List
The list provides recommendations to educators, librarians, parents, and guardians for the best trade books with STEM content (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The Best STEM Books are curated by a team …
-
National Ambassador Gene Luen Yang Gives TEDx Talk on Bringing Comics into the Classroom
A former teacher, Yang witnessed first-hand the educational value of comic books. The combination of images and words teaches visual literacy and empowers students to process information at their own …
-
January 2017: #ReadYourWorld Book Jam
Below is the lineup of participating children’s book creators: January 2: Jo Meserve Mach and Vera Lynne Stroup-Rentier January 3: Darcy Pattison January 4: Sandra L. Richards January 5: Linda Williams …
-
SEE-IT Award: Stories Engagingly Expressed – Illustratively Told – Call for Submissions
EBSCO Information Services recognizes the cultural and literary impact of youth graphic novels, and in an effort to identify these works and promote them amongst the library community, EBSCO eBooks™, …
-
Diversity in the News: November 2016
The newsletter is a valuable resource for librarians, teachers, booksellers, parents and caregivers, publishing professionals, and children’s literature lovers. Find thought-provoking articles, diverse new releases, and more in this month’s issue and sign …
-
National Ambassador Gene Luen Yang at the 2016 National Book Festival
Yang takes us through his early love of reading and drawing, the inspiration behind his acclaimed graphic novels, and the ever-changing and expanding medium of comics. Through his art and …
-
The American Booksellers Association and the Children’s Book Council Partner to Host Two Beloved Children’s Book Events
New York, NY – Thursday, November 17, 2016 – The ABC Children’s Group at the American Booksellers Association (ABA) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC) are partnering to bring back …
