Unban Coolies

Paul O. Zelinsky grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, the son of a mathematics professor father and a medical illustrator mother. He drew compulsively from an early age but did not know until college that this would be his career. As a Sophomore at Yale College, he enrolled in a course on the history and practice of the picture book, co-taught by an English professor and Maurice Sendak. This experience...

Katherine Paterson is the author of more than 40 books, including 18 novels for children and young people. She has twice won the Newbery Medal, for Bridge to Terabithia in 1978 and Jacob Have I Loved in 1981. The Master Puppeteer won the National Book Award in 1977 and The Great Gilly Hopkins won the National Book Award in 1979 and was also a Newbery Honor Book. For the body of her work she receiv...

Andrea Beatriz Arango is the author of Pura Belpré Honor-winning Something Like Home and Newbery Honor-winning Iveliz Explains It All. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico but now lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. A former public school teacher with almost a decade of teaching experience, Andrea currently balances her day job as an interpreter with writing the types of children’s books she wishes...

Jackson is an adjunct professor of Black Studies in the History, Philosophy & Anthropology Department/Black Studies Program at York College and the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at Queens College and a popular lecturer on Black History. Nationally, Jackson is Past President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (2004-2006) and Chairs the BCALA Affiliate...

Avi is part of a family of writers extending back into the 19th century. Born in 1937 and raised in New York City, Avi was educated in local schools, before going to the Midwest and then back to NYC to complete his education. Starting out as a playwright—while working for many years as a librarian—he began writing books for young people when the first of his kids came along. His first book was Thi...

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (born January 4, 1933) is an American writer best known for children's and young adult fiction. Naylor is best known for her children's-novel quartet Shiloh (a 1992 Newbery Medal winner) and for her "Alice" book series, one of the most frequently challenged books of the last decade. Visit her website at: phyllisnaylor.com

Dr Padma Venkatraman is an oceanographer and the award-winning author of numerous books for young people including The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars, A Time to Dance, Island’s End and Climbing the Stairs. Her books have sold over a quarter of a million copies, received more than twenty starred reviews, and have won numerous major awards and honors including the WNDB Walter Award, a SCBWI Golden Ki...

Rajani LaRocca's realms of medicine and literature intertwine to ignite the imaginations of young minds. Born in Bangalore, India, and raised in the heart of Kentucky, Rajani's journey from the vibrant streets of India to the literary landscape of America is as rich and diverse as the stories she weaves. As a practicing physician in the Boston area, Rajani brings a unique perspective to her writin...

Janet Wong, recipient of the prestigious NCTE Poetry Award, is celebrated for her profound dedication to children's literature and education. Known for her mantra "Be the Good," Janet's commitment extends beyond her writing to charitable endeavors like donating hair to cancer patients and directing all profits from her books to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund. Formerly a lawyer, her radical caree...

K.C. Boyd serves as a school librarian within the District of Columbia Public Schools System. Previously, she held the position of Lead Librarian for the East St. Louis School District #189 in East St. Louis, IL. Her experience also includes roles as an Area Library Coordinator for Chicago Public Schools and a District Coordinator for the Mayor Daley Book Club for Middle School Students. A second-...

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, aka "JJK," is a New York Times bestselling author/illustrator known for over 40 books, including Lunch Lady graphic novels, Star Wars™: Jedi Academy, and the National Book Award Finalist Hey, Kiddo. He's celebrated for humor, heart, and respect for young readers. He's also produced award-winning audiobooks, appeared in media like NPR, The New York Times, Good Morning America,...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Aya Khalil (AA-yaa CA-lee), an award-winning author and freelance journalist with a master’s degree in Education, specializing in teaching English as a second language. Aya's remarkable journey as a writer and journalist has earned her recognition in esteemed publications like Oprah Daily, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Yahoo!, Book Riot, and USA Today....

Join us for an enlightening interview with the renowned Jerry Craft, the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of groundbreaking graphic novels, including "New Kid," "Class Act," and "School Trip." Discover the incredible journey of "New Kid," the historic book that made literary history by clinching the John Newbery Medal in 2020, the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature in 2019...

In this exclusive interview with the talented and bestselling author Chris Grabenstein, join us as we delve into the creative mind behind some of your favorite books, including the popular 'Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library' series and 'The Island of Dr. Libris.' Chris shares insights into his writing process, inspirations, and the secrets to crafting captivating stories that resonate with read...

Don Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. He is also one of the founding hosts of the blog The Brown Bookshelf – a blog designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers, with book reviews, author and illustrator interviews. Don frequently speaks at schools, public libraries and writing...

Lester L. Laminack holds the title of Professor Emeritus in the Birth-Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle Grades Education department at Western Carolina University, situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. His tenure at the university was marked by the recognition of his outstanding teaching abilities, as he received two prestigious awards for excellence in teaching: the Botner Superior Teaching A...

Nikki Grimes, an award-winning American author and poet known for her powerful children's literature and celebrated poetry. With books like "Bronx Masquerade" and "One Last Word," she champions diversity and empathy in her storytelling. Explore her world with us as we celebrate her impact on young readers.

Hutchinson is a renowned author known for infusing his novels with elements of speculative fiction. This unique approach allows him to delve into the depths of human emotions in a way that goes beyond the confines of straightforward contemporary fiction. He believes that the speculative fiction genre, which often revolves around looking into the future, offers a unique perspective filled with both...

In this captivating interview, I had the privilege of sitting down with a rock star author, Amy Tan to delve into her latest literary masterpiece, "The Backyard Bird Chronicles." Amy Tan, celebrated for her evocative storytelling and cultural insight, takes us on a profound journey through the enchanting world of nature in this remarkable book where she shares her discoveries about the beauty and...

Amanda Jones, an exceptional educator with a remarkable 24-year journey in the field of education! Amanda shares her extensive background, having served as a former 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher and now in her current role as a school librarian. With a Masters +30 and certifications in various areas, including K-12 librarian, 1-8 elementary teacher, school administrator, and read...

London Ladd, distinctive mixed media technique, incorporating cut paper, acrylic paint, tissue paper, and colored pencil, infuses his diverse subjects with vitality and emotion. London's work is marked by its intensity, a reflection of his deep passion for art. He aspires for his masterpiece, "You So Black," to become a timeless testament to the strength, beauty, power, and love of African America...

In today's discussion, we delve deep into Alex's journey as a genderqueer individual and their unwavering dedication to unbanning essential books. This cause has earned them well-deserved recognition in the literary world. Join us as Alex emphasizes the crucial role of LGBTQ representation in literature and touches upon the significance of creating and finding safe spaces for both readers and writ...

In this special Thanksgiving episode, join me as I had the incredible opportunity to interview the renowned author, George M. Johnson. We delve deep into their inspiration for ALL BOYS AREN'T BLUE. George is a significant voice in contemporary literature, advocating for LGBTQ+ and Black communities while addressing important social issues. This interview not only gave my holiday a special meaning...

Turning the page with the iconic Jane Yolen! She is often referred to as the "Hans Christian Andersen of America" due to her significant contributions to the world of children's literature. With a prolific career spanning over 400 books, her works encompass everything from picture books to young adult novels, fantasy to folklore, and poetry to non-fiction. Her tales are both enchanting and educati...

Becky Calzada, a true luminary in the world of libraries and literature, hails from the heart of Texas and serves as a District Library Coordinator for a prominent central Texas school district. Her unwavering commitment ensures that libraries remain the cornerstone of learning in her community. As a co-founder of the esteemed Texas Freedom Fighters, Becky has earned numerous accolades for her inv...