Ellen's Broom Launch Party
I'm excited to share that the launch party for my forthcoming picture book, Ellen's Broom, will take place on Sunday, January 15 at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh. There will be a reading and signing, cake, a craft and coloring pages for kids. It's an event for the whole family. Learn more about my new book by clicking on Books in the menu at right. Find out more about the launch party and how to order a signed copy even if you can't make it here: Ellen's Broom Launch
Appearances
We'll share our stories with children, participate in a panel discussion and meet and greet. It's a family event with crafts, music and more.
Big thanks to the Ujamaa Collective for including me. Find out more about the September 10 event here:
Flyer for Children's Literary Weekend
Writing Residency
I recently completed a two-week writing residency at Barwell Road Elementary School in Raleigh. I am so proud of the essays the students wrote: Hitting a first homerun. Moving from the Dominican Republic to Raleigh. Conquering a fear of riding roller coasters. Making masks with grandpa. Forming friendships in a new school. They mined their lives for stories and found gold. Thank you to the children and teachers of Barwell Road for making my visit there so special. I'll miss you. Have a wonderful holiday! (P.S. If you're looking for the activities for kids, click here.)
Virtual Tour
In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Million Man March, I'm kicking off a two-week virtual tour for One Million Men and Me that includes interviews, guest posts, giveaways, printables and more. Find out more at my blog, Kuumba.
A huge thank you to all of the bloggers, radio hosts, book stores and museums who have helped make this happen. Thanks, too, to my amazing publisher, Just Us Books, and illustrator Peter Ambush, for your support. There would be no book without you.
Appearances
I'm excited to be reading and signing copies of One Million Men and Me 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at the All Booked Up Author Spotlight. It's part of the CoolKidz Expo at the Raleigh Convention Center. Here's the press release about my appearance.
Thanks for your support.
In the News
I was blessed to be one of the children's book authors included in Amy Bowllan's wonderful Writers Against Racism (W.A.R.) series. Here's my interview.
Color Online is another amazing blog. I am honored to be part of the Women Writers of Color series. Here's my profile.
Appearances
I'm honored to be participating in two wonderful Black History Month events:
I will be one of the featured authors at the 18th annual African American Children's Book Fair 1-3 p.m. Saturday, February 27 in Philadelphia, PA. It's one of the nation’s oldest and largest single-day events for African American children’s books. Details here: African American Children's Book Fair
I will be part of the African-American Literary Tea in Cary, NC on Feb. 22. I'm leading the children's hour from 4-5 p.m. Details here: Tea Flyer
Honors
Along with being an Accelerated Reader title, One Million Men and Me now has a Scholastic Reading Counts! quiz. Here's the link:
One Million Men and Me was named a Youth Top 10 book by the Detroit Public Library's annual publication, African American Booklist. Here's the link:
http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/downloads/2009_AABL.pdf
I was named 2009 Irene Smalls Children's Book Author of the Year by the African-American Pavilion at BookExpo America.
I'm so grateful for these honors.
Award
I'm honored that One Million Men and Me won a Bronze Medal in the Multicultural Picture Book category of the Moonbeam Book Awards.
According to the organizers, winners were chosen from more than 1000 entries. There were an average of 36 entries per category.
I'm excited that One Million Men and Me was recognized in this special way. I received another thrill when the certificate and medal came in the mail. Thanks, everyone, for your support.
Here's the full list of winners:
In the News
One Million Men and Me was featured in two North Carolina newspapers. Special thanks to columnists Susie Wilde and Monica Young.
Read the mention in The News & Observer here:
Last fall, Just Us Books launched the Most Memorable Moment with My Father contest to celebrate fathers and father-figures and celebrate the debut of One Million Men and Me. Children around the country sent in beautiful entries. Now, the winners are in!
Check out the first- and second-place stories in each category at the link below. Every child who entered is a winner. So are the men:
Honor
The Cooperative Children's Book Center has selected One Million Men and Me for the forthcoming edition of CCBC Choices, its annual best-of-the-year list. Choices is an annotated listing that typically includes about 200 books for children and teens recommended by CCBC staff. CCBC Choices 2008 will be available in March. To see previous editions of CCBC Choices, please visit: CCBC Choices
One Million Men and Me now has an Accelerated Reader (AR) quiz. Accelerated Reader, a product of Renaissance Learning, Inc., provides computer-based quizzes to give students reading and vocabulary practice and build their literacy skills. AR quizzes are used by more than 73,000 schools. I'm excited about this new opportunity to teach children about the beauty of the Million Man March.
Here's the link for the quiz:
AR Quiz - One Million Men and Me
Interviews
I was interviewed by BackList and the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) newsletter about One Million Men and Me. A big thank you to Felicia, Danielle and Sherelle for their support! You can read the interviews below:
Award
Disilgold Soul Magazine honored One Million Men and Me with a 2007 YOUNITY Guild AWARD -- Most Outstanding Debut Children's Book Author of the Year.
Thank you for your support!
The Contest
To celebrate the release of One Million Men and Me, Just Us Books launched the "Most Memorable Moment with My Father" essay contest. It was a national writing competition open to children in grades 1-5 and offered cash prizes. To see the winners, please visit the link below:
In The News
I am so grateful to my hometown newspapers, New Pittsburgh Courier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh City Paper for featuring me. Special thanks to editors, C. Denise Johnson, Bob Hoover and Bill O'Driscoll and writers, Ayrelle Comans and Cristina Rouvalis. Read the articles below:
Launch Parties
I had such a wonderful time launching One Million Men and Me. I appreciate everyone who came out to support me.
A big thank you to Wanda Cox-Bailey and Terry W. Warner of Richard B. Harrison Library. The event there was so special. I also would like to thank Anthony Young, Marshall Harvey and Emmanuel Joyner who shared their stories of attending the Million Man March. Thanks, too, to everyone who attended and all of the individuals and businesses for donations of food and prizes: Dodson Family, Marbles Children's Museum, Brown Toes, Glazetopia, Adventure Landing and GAKS Coffee House and Tea Room.
The party in Pittsburgh was incredible. A big thank you to my family for surrounding me with love and support and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Homewood), Carnegie Library of Homestead, Center for Creative Play, Urban League Charter School and Morrow Elementary. Thanks, too, to Sage Berlin for sharing his testimony of attending the Million Man March and everyone who came to celebrate One Million Men and Me. There's nothing like hometown love. Thank you Pittsburgh for making my homecoming so sweet.
Kelly showcases One Million Men and Me at The
African American Literature Book Club (wwww.AALBC.com)
booth at BookExpo America. Photo by Troy Johnson of AALBC.
Good News
I am honored to be included in a story by Erv Dyer about the Celebration of Reading in Pittsburgh. Being part of that beautiful event really felt like coming home. Thank you United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh, Erv Dyer, Starling, Price and Cotton families, Carmen, Nevel brothers ;), Cynthia Battle, Roland Barksdale-Hall and everyone for making my visit so special.
Patrons at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Library of Homewood
celebrate the launch of Eddie's Ordeal.