Compiling a good book list is *hard* work—but once they’re ready (they’re rarely ever “done”), they become an invaluable resource. A few weeks ago I met Malaika Rose Stanley through Wendy Meddour on Facebook; Malaika was putting together a list of PB, MG, and YA books that feature mixed-race protagonists and I asked my “team” to help out. Thanks, ladies—but get ready: it’s almost time to put together the 2011 list of African American MG/YA novels, and once again I’ll be tapping Ari, Edi, and Doret to help me out. But this weekend, I’ll be grading…
Here are some of the lists we’ve worked on in the past:
Fledgling 
Hey Z – in our small world, I just met Wendy in person at the weekend’s SCBWI conference. Wonderful woman, and I’ll be seeing her again at the Muslim Writers’ Awards this Tuesday. And, I’ve just been in touch with Malaika for my author questionnaire. Our paths seem to be spookily parallel on these different continents…
You’re my partner in crime, Laura! All the work I do relies upon your research and your example as a “conscious editor”…and you’re good people, so you attract like-minded people!