We’re well into January now, and what a month it has been. While the rain continues to pour over Vancouver, we’ve stayed cozy in the company of so many fantastic new reads! So, without further ado, here’s the latest in the children’s and young adult publishing industry.
YAing Updates
Since I last wrote you, we’ve published a few marvellous reviews! Here’s a recap:
- “Balfe’s voice is unique and she writes from a fresh perspective—a woman who learned she was autistic as an adult. Balfe also uses inclusive language, explaining how autism can “look different across the gender spectrum” and emphasizes that each autistic person’s experience is unique. Woven through the story are life lessons and advice to anyone who has ever felt different, and how to overcome hardships.” Debut reviewer Evelyn Hussey reviews A Different Kind of Normal by Abigail Balfe.
- “The accessible writing style and engaging dialogue makes this book easy to get into and perfect for reluctant or emerging readers. The fast-paced plot and supernatural elements could especially interest fans of Goosebumps. Overall, I found this book to be an entertaining read, with a great balance of humour and suspense.” Debut reviewer Hooria Bilal reviews Alien Road by M.J. McIsaac.
Industry News
On February 16th at 10am, Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone will be hosting a live, virtual event on their new book How to Be a (Young) Antiracist. The event will include 30 minutes of dialogue about how to build a more equitable world, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. Click here to register, and for more information!
Crayola Creativity week is happening now! Open from January 23rd to January 29th, this event offers live panels with children’s authors and illustrators. On Wednesday, January 25th, author and professional Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud and illustrator Kalila J. Fuller will discuss culture, identity, and self-expression as viewers are welcome to draw and illustrate nature-inspired patterns and dance poses! Check out the creativity week website to sign up and learn about upcoming events!
Learn all about the new YA books from the authors themselves at the Discover 2023 YA Debut Webinar! Featuring a wide range of genres, Young Adult authors Krystal Marquis, Mae Coyiuto, and Lila Riesen join Penguin Young Readers and Booklist for a free, hour long discussion about their debut novels. Click here to learn more and sign up!
Little Free Library has announced their launch of an Indigenous Library program! This program provides book-sharing boxes to Indigenous communities across the US and Canada, with two starter sets of 25 books, with the first set written and/or illustrated by BIPOC authors and artists, and the second set centring Indigenous peoples and communities. Read more about the program, and how you can support their efforts here!
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 Tuesdays 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 