This week, Jason Reynolds delivers a commencement address; authors Tiffany Jackson, Mark Oshiro, and Dhonielle Clayton talk shop; author Stacy McAnulty tours for The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl; and author A.M. Morgen welcomes her first middle grade novel.

‘The Voice of a Generation’

Author Jason Reynolds delivered a commencement speech to graduates of Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass., on May 19. Reynolds, who is also a Lesley University creative writing faculty member, spoke about the importance of lifting up and empowering others. Children’s book author Susan E. Goodman introduced Reynolds, calling him “the voice of a generation.” Reynolds was awarded an honorary doctorate from the university, along with other commencement speakers, including U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and educator Gay Su Pinnell.

Book Talk

Tiffany Jackson (l.), author of Monday’s Not Coming (HarperCollins/Tegen), spoke with Mark Oshiro, author of Anger Is a Gift (Tor Teen) at The Strand Book Store in New York City on May 22. Fellow author Dhonielle Clayton (r.) moderated the lively discussion as Jackson and Oshiro spoke about writing their new books.

Lightning in the Library

Author Stacy McAnulty recently visited bookstores and schools in five cities for her middle grade novel, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl (Random House). She spoke to students at St. Francis International School in Maryland on May 16. The visit was held in conjunction with the nonprofit literacy organization An Open Book Foundation.

An Inventive Launch Party

Author A.M. Morgan (seated) celebrated the release of her debut middle grade novel, The Inventors at No. 8 (Little, Brown), at a launch party held at The Regulator Bookshop in Durham, N.C., on May 19. Attendees were invited to take part in Inventors-themed activities, which included making mechanical birds, codebreakers, and bookmarks.