I had a moment yesterday when I wanted to quit teaching. As soon as I submitted my grades, the whining began…no matter how clear you are about the course requirements, no matter how many opportunities you give to earn extra credit, there are always a few students who think you owe them something more. I [...]
Archive for the ‘Caribbean literature’ Category
the hummingbird’s tongue
Posted in art, Caribbean literature, race & gender, sexuality, teaching, the Caribbean, writing life on May 26, 2012 | 9 Comments »
it’s raining
Posted in African Canadian literature, art, Canada, Caribbean literature, children's literature, conferences, historical fiction, history, middle grade novels, mixed-race identity, multicultural literature, reviews, speculative fiction, the Caribbean, writing life on May 24, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Actually, it’s pouring. Good thing I went out early to get some groceries: two apples, soy milk, juice, and a mini Toblerone bar. I needed some little treat since today I plan to get ALL my grading done. I’ve got one exam left and about ten book reviews. Once grades are in I can turn [...]
Blackout in the Great White North
Posted in activism, African Canadian literature, Canada, Canadian writers, Caribbean literature, Cheryl Foggo, children's literature, conferences, Coretta Scott King Award, David Chariandy, David Odhiambo, equity, George Elliott Clarke, H. Nigel Thomas, minority issues in publishing, multicultural literature, racism in publishing, Suzette Mayr, Tessa McWatt, young adult novels, Zalika Reid-Benta on April 7, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
I’ve decided to post my paper from last month’s “Race, Ethnicity, and Publishing” conference here on my blog. Unfortunately, I don’t have time this month to expand this essay, though I know it would benefit from input from Canadian publishers. I’m still hopeful that this topic will get the attention it deserves at a conference [...]
2011 Caribbean Children’s and Young Adult Books
Posted in Caribbean literature, children's literature, middle grade novels, multicultural literature, self-publishing, the Caribbean, young adult novels on November 26, 2011 | 5 Comments »
This is a guest post submitted by Summer Edward. Last year, I was fortunate enough to meet Zetta Elliott at the A is for Anansi conference at New York University. Since then, I’ve been a loyal reader of her blog, Fledgling. So when I saw Zetta’s recent post listing MG and YA novels written in [...]
pink icing
Posted in Canada, Canadian writers, Caribbean literature, children's literature, multicultural literature, the Caribbean, young adult novels on July 10, 2011 | 7 Comments »
On two occasions when I’ve been talking about my search for contemporary depictions of black teens IN Canada, Pamela Mordecai‘s book, Pink Icing, has come up. And twice I resisted adding the title to my study–after all, it’s not a novel and from the description I read online, it’s not a MG or YA book. [...]
magnet
Posted in Caribbean literature, historical fiction, history, multicultural literature, race & politics, teaching, the Caribbean on March 18, 2011 | 2 Comments »
I don’t know about you, but when I start thinking about a certain subject, I often find that my mind turns into a sort of magnet—suddenly everything I’m reading, watching, or talking about leads me back to that particular topic. Right now, that topic is slavery; I’m teaching a new course on neo-slave narratives and [...]
round UP
Posted in African American Literature, Caribbean literature, interview, kidlit blogs, minority issues in publishing, multicultural literature, speculative fiction, young adult novels on February 22, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Thanks to Nathalie at Multiculturalism Rocks! for posting this great review of Wish; this was my favorite part: If I were to walk by a fountain after midnight and to throw a penny in it, here’s the wish I’d make: For A WISH AFTER MIDNIGHT to be adapted on the big screen. I can’t wait [...]
party time!
Posted in African American Literature, bookstores, Brooklyn, Caribbean literature, historical fiction, middle grade novels, multicultural literature, speculative fiction, young adult novels on December 14, 2010 | 4 Comments »
Tonight’s holiday book party was AWESOME! Thanks so much to Luc and Shara and their fabulous kids for hosting us at Daddy’s Basement Bookstore—it was great to meet Christopher Grant (he had the audience cracking up with his perfect rendition of a Caribbean father), and to see Rita and Kekla again. We had a full [...]
have hope
Posted in art, Caribbean literature, children's literature, family, multicultural literature, race & gender, schools, teaching on November 11, 2010 | 1 Comment »
It’s Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day here in the US. My 6-year-old niece made this beautiful piece of art to pay tribute to our troops and veterans—notice the peace sign in the sun, the red poppy, and soldier in camouflage. The art some kids make just amazes me—it gives me hope to know [...]
bright future
Posted in African American Literature, awards and honors, Caribbean literature, multicultural literature, speculative fiction on November 6, 2010 | 6 Comments »
Ok, so it’s just one list for one year, but it’s still very exciting to know that THREE black women authors made Amazon’s Top Ten Sci-Fi/Fantasy list!!! Congratulations, ladies! You can read my rave review of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms here; I recommend Karen Lord‘s beautifully written Redemption in Indigo, and I’m planning to read [...]
