Texas Book Festival 2014

The 2014 Texas Book Festival is over -- and, as usual, what a great event!  Varian Johnson, Jennifer Ziegler, and I had a blast on the "Capers, Cons, and Catastrophes" panel moderated by Anne Bustard. 

Anne Bustard, me, and Jennifer Ziegler

Here are some more pics from the weekend's events:

In the Green Room (cw from left): Anne Bustard, Me, Jennifer Ziegler, Varian Johnson, Varsha Bajaj, Nikki Loftin, Cyn

Erszi Deak, Carmen Oliver, and me at the Texas Monthly breakfast

Jo Whittemore and me in the Green Room

Me and Cyn before #WeNeedDiverseBooks panel

Me, Varsha, Cyn and Trent Reedy at the Saturday night party

Me and Lindsey Lane

Donna Janell Bowman photobombs Carmen Oliver, PJ Hoover, and Cyn

Many thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors! 

Japanese American Legal History

This is sort of a throwback Thursday (#tbt) kind of thing:  A few years back, I penned a handful of essays on Japanese American Legal History for an earlier version of the Cynthia Leitich Smith Children’s Literature Resources; now, revised (slightly), they are available on my web site!

Being of Japanese and German descent ("hapa"), I originally wrote these essays out of a concern that, to the extent that the history of Japanese Americans was known, such knowledge focused almost entirely on the Internment, at the expense of other aspects of the societal and legal regime that affect, and have affected, Japanese Americans.
  
Although the essays include case cites, they are intended to be readable by a general audience. :-).

Here's the link to the splash page.

Japanese American Legal History (General) discusses immigration and naturalization issues, as well alien land laws.  Japanese American Legal History (The Internment) discusses the World War II internment of Japanese Americans and the related Supreme Court cases. Finally, Japanese American Legal History (Enemy Aliens and Habeas Corpus) discuss other legal aspects of internment and treatment of enemy aliens and habeas corpus generally.

For more general information on Japanese American history, check out the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

Texas Book Festival Children's and YA Panels

Texas Book Festival is October 24 and 25, 2014!  

I am delighted to announce that I will be presenting LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN on the panel "Capers, Cons, and Catastrophes," (Sunday, at 130-230 in Cap. Ext. E2.026) with Varian Johnson and Jennifer Ziegler!  (There may be mayhem :-)).

Below are the other panels featuring children's and YA authors.  

Note that there's also ongoing programming throughout both days in the Children's Activity Tent and the Read Me a Story Tent!  For the complete (official) schedule and late changes, click here.

SATURDAY

10-1045
Grandfather Gandhi
Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)
Authors:
Arun Gandhi
Bethany Hegedus

10-1045

Choose Wisely

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Lauren Miller

Trent Reedy

Stephen Graham Jones

Moderator:

Vanessa Lee

10-11

YA and not so Y.A.

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.012

Authors:

Claudia Gray

Melissa de la Cruz

11-1145

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Michelle Knudsen

Steve Brezenoff

Moderator:

Sean Petrie

12-1

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

Location: The Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church (1201 Lavaca, enter from Lavaca St.)

Authors:

Tim Tingle

Jacqueline Woodson

Andrea Davis Pinkney

Pat Mora

Diane Gonzales Bertrand

Moderator:

Don Tate

12-1

Tomás Rivera Award

 Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Susan Goldman Rubin

Duncan Tonatiuh

Moderator:

Jesse Gainer

12-1

Guys Read: True Stories

Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

Authors:

Jon Scieszka

Nathan Hale

1215-1

Hazardous Tales

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.016

Authors:

Nathan Hale

1215-115

Survival 101

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Lindsay Cummings

Rick Yancey

Dayna Lorentz

Moderator:

Sarah Pitre

115-215
Do You Believe in Magic?
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026
Authors:
Natalie Lloyd
Annie Barrows
Nikki Loftin

230-330
Adventure is Out There
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026
Authors:
Michael Fry
P. J. Hoover
S.S. Taylor

230-330

Poetry for YA

Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

Authors:

Jacqueline Woodson

Isabel Quintero

K. A. Holt

245-330

Frank Einstein

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Jon Scieszka

345-430

Katherine Applegate

Location: Family Life Center (1300 Lavaca)

Authors:

Katherine Applegate

345-445

Eyes on the Prize

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Deborah Wiles

Duncan Tonatiuh

London Ladd

Moderator:

Sharon O'Neal

SUNDAY

11-12 Sun

Beginning, Middle, End: A Trio of Trilogies

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026

Authors:

Adam Gidwitz

Edward Carey

Deron Hicks

1215-115
Design Decisions: Children's Illustrators At Work
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.028
Authors:
Patrick McDonnell

Lane Smith
Tad Carpenter
Divya Srinivasan
Carolyn Dee Flores

130-230
Capers, Cons, and Catastrophes
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026
Authors:
Jennifer Ziegler
Greg Leitich Smith
Varian Johnson

130-230

Unfinished Business

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.028

Authors:

Meg Wolitzer

Lindsey Lane

Adele Griffin

245-340

Tony DiTerlizzi

Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.028

Authors:

Tony DiTerlizzi

Moderator:

Suzanne Wofford

245-345
Growing Pains
Location: Capitol Extension Room E2.026
Authors:
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Varsha Bajaj
Mariko Tamaki

3-5

At-Risk Summer Movie

Location: Capitol Auditorium Room E1.004

Authors:

e.E. Charlton-Trujillo

TWEENS READ 2014

Last weekend, I had an awesome time being a panelist at the Tweens Read Book Festival, held at South Houston High School in Pasadena.  In all, more than 1700 tween readers showed up to hear keynotes by Jacqueline Woodson and Margaret Peterson Haddix, as well as any three of five panels of authors.  For the complete list, click here.

My panel was called "Houston, We Have Problems," and featured six authors in a lively discussion of science fiction for tweens:  

Greg Leitich Smith - Little Green Men at the Mercury Inn
Stu Gibbs - Space Case
Jennifer Brown - Life on Mars
Will Alexander - Ambassador
Jessica Brody - Unforgotten
Matt London - The 8th Continent

Check out some pictures:

The students gather for the opening keynote

Jennifer Holm, Jennifer Ziegler, Varsha Bajaj

Megan Frazer Blakemore, Kirby Larson, Jenni Holm, and me

Me and Bruce Hale, with Jonathan Auxier (background)

Authors gathered onstage for introductions

Matt London, Jessica Brody, Jennifer Brown, and me

Signing stock

Natalie Lloyd, Varian Johnson, Jennifer Holm, Jennifer Ziegler, Varsha Bajaj

Cynthia Leitich Smith and Jacqueline Woodson

Megan Frazer Blakemore, a South Houston Trojan, and me

Many thanks to all the organizers, sponsor, and volunteers, especially Blue Willow Books!

WIFYR 2014!

The view from the Waterford School, site of the WIFYR workshops

Cyn and I are just back from WIFYR 2014 -- the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers conference run by the awesome Carol Lynch Williams, where we each led an Advanced Novel workshop.

My workshoppers took me out to lunch

 In the mornings, we led workshops, critiquing manuscripts, and giving and reading writing exercises.  The afternoon was filled with speeches by various faculty members, panels of authors, editors, and agents, and a keynote (this year, by James Dashner). 

Cyn and I taught it two years ago and we were delighted to be asked back -- it's one of our favorite events of its kind and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in working on their craft.  This year, workshop faculty included Ken Baker, A.E. Cannon, Cheri Pray Earl, Lisa Mangum, J. Scott Savage, Shawn K. Stout, Carol Lynch Williams, Cyn, and me.  Editor/agent faculty included John Cusick, Kristin Ostby, Michelle Witte, and Amy Jameson.

Here are some pics of the event:

Me and food at Barbwire and Lace

John and Kristin

Me during one afternoon session on Voice

Cyn and I during the signing

Ken, John, Jeff

Carol and Cyn

Cyn and me and the goat that tried to eat her dress

My assistant -- Stephanie the Awesome -- decorated the room with dinos and lgm

Some of my class

Me and Allosaurus.  Because we had to go to the Natural History Museum of Utah.

Middle Grade Mayhem! LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN; REVENGE OF THE FLOWER GIRLS; and THE GREAT GREENE HEIST event report!

Varian, Jenn, me, and out little green friends.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Yesterday was joint launch party for LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN; Jennifer Ziegler's REVENGE OF THE FLOWER GIRLS; and Varian Johnson's THE GREAT GREENE HEIST!

In addition to a photo booth with inflatable little green men, we did a reader's theater of scenes from each of our books, complete with costumes.

The refreshments table was semi-thematic and included fruit and cheese and vegetable platters from Whole Foods; wine, water, and Tang; "wedding" cake;and chocolate chip cookies made by Nikki Loftin!  Thanks to everyone who came and bought books -- your support meant a lot to us.

Me, Jenn, Varian, and moderator Tim Crowe, performing from REVENGE OF THE FLOWER GIRLS (Hence the red hair :-)).  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Jenn, Varian, me, and Tim Crowe during Q&A.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Varian wears the little green man glasses. Photo by Dave Wilson.

At the signing table.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

The refreshments table.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Wide angle view of the assemblage.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Nikki and Cyn.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Signing Little Green Men at the Mercury Inn.  Photo by Dave Wilson.

Many thanks to everyone who pitched in and/or helped out:  Tim Crowe was sublime as Master of Ceremonies (a role he also plays in Round Rock's annual Sam Bass shootout); Anne Bustard, Debbie Gonzales, Lindsey Lane, and others were masterful supervising refreshments; Cyn was irreplaceable (but you knew that already); and BookPeople was, as always, outstanding!

Thanks also to everyone who helped carry stuff in; set up; and break down!  And to those supported us by coming and buying books! 

Awesome photos above are by Dave Wilson of Dave Wilson Photography.  Go check out his portfolio!

And see the event report on Cynsations!

It's LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN Release Day!

I am delighted to announce that LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN is now available at bookstores everywhere!  It's the comedic story of three friends at a motel in Cocoa Beach and what happens the day after a space shuttle launch is scrubbed due to the appearance of a UFO over Cape Canaveral!

“In this gleefully absurd tale, Smith (Chronal Engine) unfurls a series of alien-inspired hijinks at a space-themed motel on Florida’s Space Coast…Arnold’s skillfully drafted spot cartoons give this offbeat story a lively layout and match Smith’s light and breezy tone, grounded by the occasional serious moment. The result is an engaging, humorous look at humans learning that they’re not alone in the universe.”
–Publishers Weekly  (For the complete review, click here)


“The Mercury Inn…shelters a colorful cast of characters…in a plot that twists and turns like a roller coaster through the engaging setting. The book design and spot cartoon art with a retro space-age feel work well with the wacky characters and situations of this enjoyably beach-y sci-fi escape.”
–The Horn Book

“The quirky setting and diverse characters add originality.  An accessible and whimsical read, this should have wide appeal.”
–School Library Journal

Head on over to Cynsations for an interview and giveaway!

And come on out to BookPeople at 2 pm on June 14, for MIDDLE GRADE MAYHEM, when Jennifer Ziegler and Varian Johnson join me at a party celebrating all our new middle grade releases! We promise lots of mayhem and shenanigans!  And, quite possibly, an alien from outer space!

#DiversifyYourShelves with Diverse Books by Diverse Texas Authors [updated]

The recent #WeNeedDiverseBooks and #DiversifyYourShelves campaigns got me thinking about the remarkable Austin and Texas youth literature community.  I thought I'd highlight some of the diverse books by diverse Texas authors.  So here's the novel/chapter book edition.

Note that while some of the books feature "diversity" themes and plot lines, in other cases, diversity is reflected in the characters and the circumstances of their environments.

Note, too, that unless otherwise identified with a key code (see below), the book is young adult, traditionally 12+, but in some cases 14+.

Key code:
tw = tween (10-14)
mg = middle grade (8-12)
cb = chapter book (7-10)
gn = graphic novel

Jessica Lee Anderson
BORDER CROSSING

Varsha Bajaj
ABBY SPENCER GOES TO BOLLYWOOD (mg)

Shana Burg
A THOUSAND NEVER EVERS (mg)
LAUGH WITH THE MOON (tw)

e.E. Charlton-Trujillo
FAT ANGIE

Bethany Hegedus
TRUTH WITH A CAPITAL T (mg)

Varian Johnson
THE GREAT GREENE HEIST (mg)
MY LIFE AS A RHOMBUS
SAVING MADDIE
RED POLKA DOT IN A ROOMFUL OF PLAID

Lynne Kelly
CHAINED (mg)

Cynthia Levinson
WE'VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH (mg)

Diana Lopez
CONFETTI GIRL (mg)
ASK MY MOOD RING HOW I FEEL (mg)

Guadalupe Garcia McCall
UNDER THE MESQUITE
SUMMER OF THE MARIPOSAS

Dia Reeves
SLICE OF CHERRY
BLEEDING VIOLET

Benjamin Saenz
LAST NIGHT I SANG TO THE MONSTERS
SAMMY AND JULIANA IN HOLLYWOOD

Alex Sanchez
SO HARD TO SAY
RAINBOW BOYS
RAINBOW HIGH
RAINBOW ROAD

Cynthia Leitich Smith
FERAL NIGHTS
FERAL CURSE
FERAL PRIDE (forthcoming)
TANTALIZE
ETERNAL
BLESSED
DIABOLICAL
TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY (gn)
ETERNAL: ZACHARY'S STORY (gn)
INDIAN SHOES (cb)
RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME (tw)

Greg Leitich Smith
LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN (mg)
CHRONAL ENGINE (mg/tw)
CHRONAL ENGINE: BORROWED TIME (forthcoming) (mg/tw)
TOFU AND T.REX (mg/tw)
NINJAS, PIRANHAS, AND GALILEO (mg/tw)

Tim Tingle
HOUSE OF PURPLE CEDAR

Jo Whittemore
D IS FOR DRAMA (mg)
FRONT PAGE FACE-OFF  (mg)
ODD GIRL IN  (mg)

Lori Aurelia Williams
SHAYLA'S DOUBLE BABY BROWN BLUES
WHEN KAMBIA ELAINE FLEW IN FROM NEPTUNE
BROKEN CHINA
MAXINE BANKS IS GETTING MARRIED

Jennifer Ziegler
SASS AND SERENDIPITY (tw)
ALPHA DOG (tw)
HOW NOT TO BE POPULAR (tw)
REVENGE OF THE FLOWER GIRLS (mg)

Reviews/praise for LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN [updated]

My editor just sent me these great reviews of LITTLE GREEN MEN AT THE MERCURY INN from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal!

"In this gleefully absurd tale, Smith (Chronal Engine) unfurls a series of alien-inspired hijinks at a space-themed motel on Florida’s Space Coast...Arnold’s skillfully drafted spot cartoons give this offbeat story a lively layout and match Smith’s light and breezy tone, grounded by the occasional serious moment. The result is an engaging, humorous look at humans learning that they’re not alone in the universe."

--Publishers Weekly

 “The quirky setting and diverse characters add originality.  An accessible and whimsical read, this should have wide appeal.”

–School Library Journal


And check out these awesome blurbs!

"Aliens, government coverups, bionic limbs, kooky scientists, luau pigs, conspiracy theories, and mysterious patio furniture—I don't know about you, but these are the things I look for in a great story. Little Green Men at the Mercury Inn has all of them, plus a huge dose of humor. Read it and enjoy, but be warned: You may never want to eat roast pork ever again."

—Matthew Holm, co-creator of Babymouse and Squish

“Here is a story for everyone who has ever wondered if that brilliant green light was a UFO.  It's for everyone who has ever imagined living on Mars. In short, it's for everyone who has ever asked the question, 'who am I, really?’  Read it, then make your reservations at the Mercury Inn.  Just don’t be alarmed if you find an alien in the refrigerator."

--Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath

2014 TLA Conference Signings by Texas Authors [updated]

Greetings.

Next week is the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in San Antonio!

As usual, there are a bunch of Texas authors signing books and/or ARCs.  Here's what I've got so far. 

Note that times and places are subject to change.  The complete schedule for authors signing in the Author Area is available here.  For an interactive map of the Exhibit Hall with the booth and number listings, go here.  Note, too, that this list is not comprehensive.  Make sure you drop by the booths listed, as well as publisher booths, complete, up-to-date schedules!

Tuesday, April 8:

6:00-7:00 Jennifer Ziegler, Booth 1823 (Scholastic)

Wednesday April 9:

10:00-12:00 Susan Kralovansky, Booth 1323 (Pelican)

10:15 - 11:00 Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Author Area
10:15 - 11:00 Don Tate, Author Area
10:15-11:00 P.J. Hoover, Booth 2522 (Overlooked Books)
10:15-11:00 Jessica Lee Anderson, Booth 2522 (Overlooked Books)

11:00-12:00 Dotti Enderle, Author Area

12:00-1:00 Rachel Caine, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)

1:00-2:00 Molly Blaisdell,  Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
1:00-2:00 Susan Kralovansky, Booth 1522 (Overlooked Books)

2:00-3:00 Cynthia Leitich Smith, Author Area
2:00-3:00 Libba Bray, Author Area
2:00-3:00 Greg Leitich Smith, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
2:00-3:00 Victoria Scott, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
2:00-3:00 Don Tate, Booth 2440 (Charlesbridge)

3:00-4:00 Liz Garton Scanlon, Author Area
3:00-4:00 Varian Johnson, Author Area
3:00-4:00 E.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Author Area 

3:00-4:00 PJ Hoover, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
3:00-4:00 Jessica Lee Anderson, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)

4:00-5:00 K.A. Holt, Author Area 

4:00-5:00 Kay Honeyman, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)

Thursday, April 10

9:00-10:00 Nikki Loftin, Author Area
9:00-10:00 Don Tate, Booth 2522 (Overlooked Books)

10:00-11:00 Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Author Area

10:45-11:15 P.J. Hoover, Booth 1448 (Tor)

11:00-12:00 Joy Preble, Author Area
11:00-12:00 Bethany Hegedus, Booth 1841 (Simon & Schuster)
11:00-12:00 Janice and Tom Shefelman, Booth 2272 (Eakin Press/Wild Horse Media)

12:00-1:00 Dotti Enderle, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
12:00-2:00 Susan Kralovanksy, Booth 1522 (Overlooked Books)

1:00-2:00 E. Kristin Anderson, Author Area
1:00-2:00 Jerry Hatchett, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
1:00-3:00 Susan Kralovansky, Booth 1323 (Pelican)

2:00-3:00 Sophie Jordan, Author Area
2:00-3:00 Mari Mancusi, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
2:00-3:00 Krissi Dallas, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
2:00-3:00 A.G. Howard, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
2:00-3:00 Janice and Tom Shefelman, Booth 2272 (Eakin Press/Wild Horse Media)

3:00-4:00 Varsha Bajaj, Booth 1548 (Albert Whitman)
3:00-4:00 Beth Fehlbaum, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)

Friday, April 11

9:30-10:30  Bethany Hegedus, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)
9:30-10:30  Joy Preble, Booth 2243 (Book Festivals of Texas)

10:00-11:00 Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Author Area

11:00-12:00 Kathi Appelt, Author Area

Ongoing

Debbie Leland, Booth 1555