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Your role in shaping the next generation
By Alicia AnsteadParents, siblings, aunts, uncles, librarians, friends and community leaders all play a role in literacy. And so do writers. That last group – the writers – is the topic for this issue. If you’ve written a children’s book, middle grade book or YA book – or if you want to – you’ve come to the right place.
Features
Woodson's Windows
By Laura WarrellNational Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson blends her childhood with history to shape stories for young readers
Boiling down the bones
By Julie KrugThough she was not an avid reader as a child, Laurie Halse Anderson is now one of the strongest voices for young readers
Power Parody
By Bill CongerHis insights as a teacher inspire Jon Scieszka's quirky stories
Head Start
By Melissa HartThe best literary journals for teens--run by teens
Identity and emotion
By Megan KaplonRanda Abdel-Fattah, an Australian author, wrote her first YA novel while herself a young adult
Departments
Book marks
By Hillary CasavantHow childhood reading can shape the writing process
Delusions of grandeur
By Meredith TuritsRecognizing when the dream of a book won't become a reality
The unique and universal
By Hillary CasavantJoyce Carol Oates suggests digging deep to gain inspiration
5 steps to a great book contract
By Ryan G. Van CleaveWhy simply writing a great manuscript and sending it to a publisher just doesn't work
Get digi with it
By Dale McGarrigleHow tech-savvy kids may affect your work
Teen spirit
By Melissa HartA literary journal that encourages youthful creativity
Critical background check
By Hillary CasavantHow an MFA program can help craft and connect children's and YA authors
Also in Every Issue
From the Editor
Take Note
What teens want, Flynn Meaney, how to incorporate text slang into your writing, revitalizing your workspace, prompts, and more
Grants, fellowships, and awards
Classifieds
How I Write
Tanuja Desai Hidier: "The work itself provides inspiration."