This week, Randi Pink has a historic conversation with Kekla Magoon; Brigid Kemmerer celebrates a trilogy conclusion; Kristin Cashore has a grace-ful discussion; and PJ Library promotes Jewish children’s literature.
Examining Tulsa’s Past
Randi Pink (r.) recently marked the release of Angel of Greenwood (Feiwel and Friends), her historical fiction novel centering the eve of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, in a January 13 conversation with 2021 Margaret A. Edwards Award winner Kekla Magoon. Simultaneously streamed on Facebook Live and Zoom, the virtual event was hosted by Magic City Books in Tulsa, Okla., which is located blocks away from the setting of Pink’s novel, the Greenwood District. Pink and Magoon talked about the Tulsa Race Massacre, Pink’s research on the oft-covered-up event, and the contemporary resonances within her novel.
A Launch So Bold
This past Tuesday, January 26, Brigid Kemmerer launched the finale of her Cursebreakers trilogy, A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Bloomsbury), at Second Star to the Right in Denver. Roseanne A. Brown (top r.) (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin) joined Kemmerer for the ticketed digital affair. The bestselling authors discussed worldbuilding, plotting, dream casts, and character playlists, before closing with an audience q&a.
A Wintry Conversation
Books & Books and the Miami Book Fair teamed up to present “An Evening with Kristin Cashore” on January 25 via Crowdcast. Award-winning author Cashore (l.) spoke about Winterkeep (Dial) with her agent, Faye Bender (c.), and her editor, Andrew Karre. The latest installment in Cashore’s fantastical Graceling Realm series follows Bitterblue, Queen of Monsea, as she confronts new dangers in the nation of Winterkeep.
Expanding the Jewish Kidlit Canon
PJ Library, a free children’s book distribution program that seeks to boost North American Jewish voices, partnered with the Highlights Foundation and NuRoots, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, for “The Stories We Tell: A Picture Book Program for Young Jewish Storytellers”, an online program lasting from January 12 to February 2. Selected by application, 10 young marginalized creatives learn about picture book structure and narrative adaptation, engage with award-winning author Heidi Stemple, and listen to Jewish diaspora storytellers. Pictured here (from l.), a Zoom lecture for the participants: Jason Leivenberg, senior v-p of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and team leader of NU Roots; Donna Maher, staff member at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles; and Arya Arvazy, guest lecturer.
