Three things (well, sort of 4) I really want you guys to read

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1. Amy Bowllan is hosting a series called Writers Against Racism at School Library Journal.

It is really really really (times ten) good.

I kind of wanted to binge on it, but after reading the moving and thoughtful post by my dear friend (and Poetry Princess) Tanita Davis I decided they needed to be absorbed one at time. I’m working my way through my friends first (Tanita, Varian, Francisco, Don), and then will make sure I catch all the others.

I would pull out lots of inspiring quotes and excerpts for you, but I really just want you to go read them yourselves.
But, okay.
Just this one:

"Racism is no match for a strong family." — Don Tate

2. Now then. Speaking of Tanita, she’s one of two Poetry Princess authors on my current Read As Soon As Humanly Possible list and I think you should add them to your list, too:

Mare’s War, by Tanita Davis — mare
The story of a woman who served in the Women’s Army Corp during WWII and the road trip she takes with her now-teenage granddaughter. Is that a cool premise or what? Plus, it’s told in alternating viewpoints — my favorite! Tanita’s a poet’s storyteller so I’m sure Mare’s War is going to be a lovely and wholly satisfying read…

Operation Yes, by Sara Lewis Holmes — 
Air Force families, improv theater and one amazing teacher make me want to say Yes! Sara’s been a military mom to two amazing young people for 20-some years, so she knows what she’s talking about here. Plus, she is a write-from-all-the-way-down-at-the-bottom-of-her-heart kind of gal and although I haven’t read it yet, I’ve got my tissues ready…

3. I loooooved this article about Spike Jonze in last weekend’s NY Times Magazine. It’s about making the film version of Where the Wild Things Are. You may think it’s a bad idea to make a movie of one of our most beloved children’s books ever, and I’m not totally convinced myself yet. But what gets said in this piece about creative freedom and risk-taking and a deeply-rooted respect for the emotional terrain of childhood is pretty profound. Don’t you think?

18 Responses to “Three things (well, sort of 4) I really want you guys to read”

  1. saralholmes

    Thank you, Liz, for that link to Writers Against Racism. I’d read (and am still in awe of) Tanita’s essay, but I didn’t know Francisco had written one too. There’s so much intense, honest, stay-with-you writing at that site. Too much to absorb in one sitting, as you say.

    And thank you for the shout out for Operation Yes. I’ll buy you a box of tissues should you deplete yours. 🙂

  2. Anonymous

    Tanita Says 🙂

    OPERATION YES! is at the TOP of my tbr pile, I’m just waiting for it to arrive! Thank you for the kind words; I truly hope you enjoy Mare’s War.

  3. natalie_writer

    Hear, hear for Operation Yes! My 11-year-old-self would have LOVED this book as we schlepped around the country (and world) following my Air Force pilot father’s assignments. I’m recommending this book to my own students, as well as to those (from military or civilian families) who have ever wondered where they fit in. Brava, Sara!

  4. Anonymous

    W.A.R.

    Thanks, Liz! We are keeping the series going…so I thank you for the mention. 🙂 -Amy Bowllan