One of the considerable advantages of being in close proximity to New York City is the opportunity it affords to take part in various children's literature events in town.  One that is perhaps not as widely known as it might be is the monthly Children's and Young Adult Literature Cafe at the Donnell Library Center of the New York Public Library, organized by a pair of energetic young librarians, Rebecca Schosha and Sarah Couri.

   December's event featured a panel on "street literature," a genre that was completely unknown to me before this.  (What can I say?  I've spent the past 19 years in South Dakota.)  The panelists - a writer, a publisher, an academic researcher, and a YA librarian - surveyed the current state of this genre of gritty, graphic YA novels by authors of color.  Historically, street literature was self-published or published by small collaborative operations, then sold directly to the teen audience "on the street."  The success of these books in engaging new readers has led to a current move by established publishers to produce works in this genre, or to affiliate with the small street-lit publishers to provide greater distribution.

   The January meeting two weeks ago unveiled the spring list of children's and YA lit from Henry Holt.  I was particularly intrigued by Mary Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox, due out in May - this is a science fiction novel about a 17-year-old who awakens from a year-long coma and must investigate the mystery surrounding her true identity. 

   Upcoming in February is a presentation by Monica Edinger on children's books and movies - Monica is a fourth-grade teacher at the Dalton School and an on-line instructor for Rutgers (and a member of this year's Newbery committee).  March will feature children's book editor Sharon November.

   The Cafe is held on Saturday afternoons at the Donnell Library Center, 20 West 53rd Street.  For more information, call:  212-621-0636 or 212-621-0633.

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GraceAnne A. DeCandido - part-time lecturer IP:68.199.61.110 | 2008-01-31 09:20:04 I am so glad to see the children's literature cafe getting more publicity, and clearly, they have some great events coming up. One correction, the remarkable children's and YA editor's name is Sharyn November.

Sean - Jenna Fox Video IP:76.8.67.132 | 2008-03-07 12:50:14 Sorry for the marketing info, but there's a brand new video/website for this book that we're really really proud of. You can check it out at www.theadorationofjennafox.com Let us know what you think! www.henryholtkids.com Thanks! Sean

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