As I write this, the spring-adjacent rain is pouring here in Vancouver — weather suited, perhaps, to the feelings of end-of-term despair and daylight savings sleep deprivation that many of us are feeling. The change of the seasons is right around the corner, though, and with it, we hope, many sunnier, warmer days and time to spend with friends. Sometimes, the friend you want to spend time with might be a new book. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered!
YAing Updates
Since we last saw you, we’ve published these reviews:
- “Tash McAdam’s tale of the twosome’s tangle with nature—an angry ocean, high winds, pounding waves, and driving rain—is a page-turner.” Louise Brecht reviews Sink or Swim by Tash McAdam.
- “Bugz’s two worlds, the virtual and the real, are both rooted in the idea that Indigenous cultures and beliefs are central to the survival of our lands and ourselves.” Debut reviewer Carolina Leyton reviews Walking in Two Worlds by Wab Kinew.
We also published our March author interview with UBC Creative Writing faculty member and prolific children’s author Tanya Lloyd Kyi!
“When I began writing, I chose topics that sparked my own curiosity. And I still do. But I also like topics that will prompt kids to think critically about the world. There are such major, existential issues facing humanity right now. But throughout history, there have been dedicated, obsessed scientists and activists and leaders who have managed to change the world. I think it’s important for kids to know this is possible. That individuals can make huge differences.”
Industry News
International Children’s Book Day is coming up, and there are some great virtual events that you can attend to mark the occasion. On March 25 and 26, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre is hosting a conversation between Kaumātua Ben Brown and Elder Jo-Anne Saddleback on Māori and Cree storytelling. There will also be a children’s book storytime featuring readings of picture books by Māori and Cree storytellers. You can get tickets to this special event here.
Happy Birthday, YAing!
On March 13, 2019, Emily Pohl-Weary and Elizabeth Leung published an announcement: the beginning of “an online magazine that celebrates, engages with, and reviews contemporary literature for young adults (YA), middle-grade (MG) and new adults (NA).” In the three years that have passed since then, almost 200 reviews by dozens of writers have appeared on these digital pages, along with author interviews and newsletters much like this one — all guided by a handful of devoted editors. As the launch announcement said, we started small, but we’re only continuing to grow. Thank you so much for reading, writing, and sharing!
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 newsletter is published on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. And remember to keep up with us on Twitter and Instagram!
Take care, and happy reading,
The Young Adulting Editors
YOUNG ADULTING 