Every Monday, Serenity Bohon sends out an email about life — reflecting on its goodness and how we engage with it. I look forward to them every week! I thought it was time to share one with you.
This is a low bar — but life changing :: Serenity Bohon
A behind-the-scenes look at Anna Rose Johnson’s THE STAR THAT ALWAYS STAYS and the books she honors in the story’s telling. Look for an interview with Anna Rose in 2023. THE STAR THAT ALWAYS STAYS is on NPR’s Best Books of the Year list!
Blending the family story with the coming of age novel :: Teen Librarian Toolbox — A School Library Journal blog
This is an excellent post about staying in the moment while writing (rather than recapping events) and how writing novels is different than writing for television or film. Nathan Bransford is such a good resource. Be sure to check him out.
What happens on and off the page in your novel :: Nathan Bransford
Wow! This is fascinating. “All the manuscripts will be stored for almost a century inside locked glass drawers in a hidden corner of Oslo’s main public library, within a small, wooden repository called the Silent Room. In 2114, the drawers will be unlocked, and the trees chopped down – and 100 stories hidden for a century will finally be published in one go.”
The Norwegian library with unreadable books :: BBC
I’ve enjoyed watching Amy Rogers Hays read through the Newberies over the years. Here’s her comprehensive list of favorites.
After Reading All 101 Newbery Award-Winning Books, Here Are My Favorites :: Amy Rogers Hays
I really appreciated this insight from Julie Falatko’s recent newsletter. “I know when I was posting a lot on social media, I felt useful. I was giving people something of value, right? I was spreading joy, right? And even if you don’t go along with my notion that I was giving everyone a job, I was giving myself a job. But my job is not to post on social media. It’s to write books.”
Small actions get big things done :: Julie Falatko
“This world is sometimes a difficult place. I don’t want to shy away from that reality in my books, but I also want to always offer kids hope. What was really lovely to discover as I worked on Miraculous was the message of forgiveness it offers, too. (Authors don’t always know the full scope of their work until it’s completed.) So many characters in Miraculous are afforded second chances. I found such kindness and generosity in that.”
An Interview with Caroline Starr Rose :: Jenny Marcelene
Thanks for the shout out to my Newbery Post Caroline!
You’re welcome. I’ve really enjoyed watching you read and process these last few years.
Good list here! I’m looking forward to reading the articles about the Newberys and the Norwegian locked books!
Wow! I had never heard of the Norwegian Library with books that won’t be read until 2114! That’s mind-blowing.
Loved Julie Falatko’s post about social media too. So true.