It’s finally April, and somehow this new month just screams spring and all the things that we love about this season — warmer weather, longer days, and colourful spring flowers!
YAing Updates
We have some wonderful new reviews for you: Parked by Danielle Svetcov and The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer.
Tribute to Beverly Cleary
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is one of my favourite middle-grade novels. Ramona is excited to start third grade at her new school, but finds out that things aren’t quite what she expected. Ramona’s trials–like smashing a raw egg onto her head during lunch, overhearing her teacher call her a nuisance, and worrying about her parents’ financial situation–captured the kinds of anxieties that so many kids experience. I loved how fiercely loyal Ramona was, and she always resolved her trials and embarrassments with her head held high. Ramona and her Anna Wintour-esque haircut will always have a Picky-Picky–sized space in my heart.
Thank you Beverly Cleary, for providing readers with characters that we will cherish and remember forever. Celebrated children’s author Beverly Clearly passed away on March 25, 2021 at the age of 104. –Jieun, Associate Editor.
Industry News
Owlkids Books is issuing an open call for submissions of picture book and early fiction manuscripts from BIPOC authors. Picture book texts should be aimed at readers aged 3–7, and early fiction manuscripts should be aimed at readers aged 6–9. Author/illustrators are also welcome to participate and may submit dummies showcasing both text and illustrations. You can submit your manuscript by April 30 to open.call@owlkids.com, using the following subject line: OPEN CALL SUBMISSION.
DiverseVoices Inc is a new nonprofit organization aimed at promoting authors and illustrators from underrepresented communities. It was launched by Beth Phelan, the founder of the #DVPit semi-annual Twitter event.
Local Events
The Vancouver Public Library is hosting Page by Page: A Writing and Art Contest for teens! The deadline is April 6 at midnight to enter, and participants can submit up to one original entry per category: art, poetry, and prose. You can find more information on their website. Also, if you are a teen looking for community service hours while reading books, be sure to check out Teens Read it First. Last but certainly not least, VPL will also be hosting a Writing & Book Camp this summer where teens will get to work on their creative writing while meeting authors and publishers.
Celebrating Local Bookstores
We (obviously) love books here at Young Adulting, so we thought we’d highlight local bookstores and what they’re doing in these times. What are some of your favourite bookstores?
Mabel’s Fables is a beloved children’s bookstore in Toronto that is as charming inside as it looks from the outside. You’ll always find a new favourite book to take home when you visit, and in pre-pandemic times, they also hosted wonderful community events and classes and was truly a fixture in the Mount Pleasant area. Check out their website for more details on their current store operations.
Book City has a number of locations in Toronto, and they are always filled with the latest bestseller as well as tried-and-true classics. You won’t be able to miss their bright yellow signage. They are currently open for in-store shopping (subject to change) but you can also do curbside pickup and local delivery.
Book Warehouse has many locations in the Lower Mainland. Their calendar is always full of exciting author events, and they continue to host events virtually. They are currently offering online orders and pickups for your shopping convenience, and have a flat rate for shipping books throughout BC.
As always, please do send us your news related to children’s and young adult literature at young.adulting@ubc.ca so we can feature them in future newsletters. Our newsletters are published on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month.
Take care, and happy reading,
The Young Adulting Editors
YOUNG ADULTING 