My First Blog Post of 2018 Borrows and an Equation: Reading = Hope x Change

Last year was a great year for young adult literature. There were so many good books that I could have added to my list of best picks of the year. That is one of the problems with a list, you have to cut it off somewhere. As I have been reflecting on the year, I have been impressed with how many great things happened near the end of the year and as this one started. Too often, academic pundits talk to much. This time I will try to shut up and let the people making the news have their say. So, the rest of this blog post will be turned over to Jaqueline Woodson, Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, Robin Benway, and Matt de la Peña. Hopefully, you are aware of how and when they made the news, but do your students? All are worthy revisiting and sharing.

Jaqueline Woodson

Jaqueline Woodson's career has been amazing and most of us are always waiting for the next thing. This week she takes over the role of the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Here are a few links to news articles that covered the event:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacqueline-woodson-named-6th-national-ambassador-for-young-peoples-literature-2018-2019-300577265.html ​

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-jacqueline-woodson-20180105-story.html

http://www.slj.com/2018/01/industry-news/jacqueline-woodson-named-national-ambassador-young-peoples-literature/ 

http://www.bradenton.com/entertainment/article192890609.html

http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/announcements/jacqueline-woodson-named-national-ambassador-for-young-peoples-literature/

Below is the video of the inaguration. 

Like many of you, I am looking forward to the many ways she will share and explain her equation: Reading = Hope X Change.

Jason Reynolds

Poetry had a great year in the World of Young Adult literature. Not too long ago Padma Venkatraman discussed the verse novel in this blog. As the year went on the momentum continued. Then some us found and began sharing this gem--Jason Reynolds discussing the power of poetry to make a change. I love the work an enthusiasm that Jason has for literacy. It is fitting this entry follows Jaqueline's. She was already working as an Ambassador of Young People's Literature when she pointed me to Jason Reynolds several years ago.

It is just getting better for young adult literature. Jason was a guest on the The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. His is the link.

Kwame Alexander

Kwame Alexander's story is one of endurance and hope. it is a message to keep working at what you love. In a year that has been hard for many of us, Kwame shares hope and love. His poem, Take a Knee probably explains the controversy as clearly as any argument I have heard on either side. I have watched The Opposition with Jordan Klepper only once. (It is on to late for this old guy.) But I knew Kwame was the guest I was there. Kwame is a great guy, my sister lives in Bellingham, Washington. She called me a while ago to say that some YA guy was going to be in her town and did I know him. Well, it was Kwame and I told her to go as my proxy and say hi. She did and he greeted her like and old friend. Thanks Kwame. Thanks for continuing to show us that--so much depends/upon/a red wheel/barrow.

​Robin Benway accepts the 2017 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

I am still amazed quality of all the nominees for the 2017 National Book Award from the longlist to the shortlist. I love the book I knew and I am enjoying the others as I finish reading through the list. There was so much diversity and the five finalist were all women! #ItsTime. Below is Robin Benway's acceptance speech.

Matt de la Peña

Matt is one of the people I admire most in the YA community. He really is a nice guy. He has done me several favors, for which I am forever grateful. I love the few times I been able to spend time with him when he was keynote at a conference I hosted at LSU and when we were both on the program at the Youngstown State University English Festival. His commitment to kids is exemplary. 
 To important things happened for Matt yesterday, Jan. , 2018. First, his new picture book, Love,  with Loren Long as the illustrator launched. Second, his essay, Why We Shouldn’t Shield Children From Darkness, was published.  If you need a topic to discuss with a class, this essay is a great starting point. His new book and this essay illustrate the powerful messages that Matt is dedicate to sharing with all of his readers regardless of how old they might be.
* This post has been update to include a link to Kate DiCamillo's response to Matt's inquiry. 

Thanks for following. 2017 was a great year of growth for the blog, The blog has steady page views reaching nearly a quarter of million views. This is due in large measure to the quality of the contributions of the guest contributors. Thanks to them one more time. I also want to remind people that more plans for the YA summit in Las Vegas in June 18. Plan to come and be #VegasStrong and YA Critical. Keep sharing. If you know a student or teacher who would like to contribute, send them my way.