ARCHIVES: SEPTEMBER 2009

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MESSAGE FROM JEN

Welcome to the first installment of my author newsletter, the title of which is inspired by a phrase from a favorite Emily Dickinson poem: "There Came a Wind Like a Bugle." I had intended to compose the inaugural issue in January—but regular life and the writing life being what they are—here I am nine months later, finally ready to launch.

My goal for this newsletter (which I will try to send every 6-8 weeks or so) is simply to stay connected with my readers, to give you updates about my books and events, and to share thoughts and information about writing. There will be regular columns and features (one just for educators, for example), but these may change slightly from issue to issue. If you wish to keep receiving Flying Tidings, you don't have to do a thing. If you'd prefer not to receive future newsletters, then please click on the "opt out" link below this newsletter.

I hope you've had a restful, rejuvenating summer, including time to read lots of good books! Best wishes to everyone as we step together into September.  

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this."

—Eleanor Roosevelt

NEWS

ALA/ Caldecott Celebration:
As most of you know, my picture book biography A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, won a Caldecott Honor this year. The lovely and multi-talented Melissa Sweet and I, together with our families, enjoyed the Annual ALA conference in Chicago, where we signed books, met hundreds and hundreds of wonderful book people, and attended the Newbery/ Caldecott banquet. Our table stomped and whistled, cheered and cried as we watched Melissa walk up to the podium to accept the Caldecott Honor from Nell Colburn, chair of the 2009 Caldecott Committee. It was definitely a highlight of our careers, and Melissa and I are already looking forward to future projects together.

VOTE for Willie!
Actually, voting for the Virginia State Library Award has officially ended, but my sincere thanks to those of you who did get a chance to vote for A River of Words, which we learned (upon return from ALA) was nominated in the picture book category. Stay tuned in issue 2 for the results.

Abe Turns 200
Abe's Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln (Sterling, ages 5 & up; illustr. by Amy June Bates) hit the shelves in February, just in time for our 16th president's 200th birthday. What a fascinating human being, he was (I could spend my entire writing life exploring his life and never get tired of him!) and what a pleasure to work with Amy June Bates on this bicentennial biography. We made several appearances in honor of Lincoln's birthday and even had a TV interview at the state capitol with Senator Andy Dinniman. The story works as a read-aloud for younger children, but the extensive back matter material makes it just as appropriate for late elementary and middle schoolers.

SPEAKING OF TEACHING

One School/One Book!
The Trial, Pieces of Georgia and Ringside 1925 have all been chosen for this increasingly popular program in middle schools sand high schools. I've thoroughly enjoyed visiting these schools after (and occasionally during or before) students, faculty and staff have read one of my titles and am amazed at the creative activities, contests, and writing projects that have been spawned in the process. Most of the schools have generously shared their activity ideas with me, so now that these titles are available in paperback (much more budget-friendly) why not consider doing a One School/One Book! project in your school? Contact me any time for how to get started.

KSRA: Hershey
The Keystone State Reading Association—a local affiliate of the International Reading Association—will take place in Hershey, PA in October. I will be there on Tuesday 10/27 to present "Combining Fact & Fiction" which is appropriate for educators, librarians, and reading specialists who work in grades K-12. The workshop is from 11am to 12 noon, and the author's tea is from 3:15 to 5:30 pm. I hope to see you there!

NCTE: Philadelphia
This is always a terrific conference, made even better this year by the fact that it's in my home city, where Phillies caps, cheese steaks and soft pretzels are never more than a few steps away. I will be there for the duration, but some of the highlights include a panel with Eileen and Jerry Spinelli, books signings with Eerdmans and Random House, and a panel discussion and workshop at the ALAN conference with David Gill (UNC) and Chris Crowe (BYU) on using Y/A books in the classroom. More details in the NEXT issue, but here's where you can register.

Want to get out of the building?
Of course you do! Everyone knows how refreshing and necessary those field trips can be. But do you really want to spend a lot of money and a lot of extra hours (of your precious time!) planning, organizing and executing that special day? Well, now there's a perfect solution in these times of tight budgets and tight school schedules: Jane Flitner of the Education Department at the Brandywine River Museum has put together a no-hassle excursion package that includes a guided gallery tour of the Wyeth art works in Chadds Ford, PA; a tour of N.C. Wyeth's home and studio (where he completed his famous illustrations for Treasure Island, Kidnapped and many others—and where his youngest son Andrew began to develop his own artistic talents; an author talk and reading of selections from Pieces of Georgia by yours truly. This very accessible novel-in-verse includes scenes from the Museum and is a perfect cross-curricular read for grades 5 through 10 (the Gallery tour highlights works mentioned in the novel.) Complete teacher's guide is available and Jane is booking for the 2009-2010 school year: 610-388-8382 or education@brandywine.org.

Keep your $$ in your pocket
Elementary, middle school, and high school educators who are adopting any of my novels for use in their classroom, and/or for the One School/One Book program, can receive a free desk copy from the publisher upon request. College educators who are considering their use for the classroom can receive a free examination copy by submitting a written request.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I am always writing something new ... and I've just finished my next YA novel, which will be published by Knopf in Fall 2010. The story is a remaking of an old tale, which I have set in present-day suburban Philadelphia and have chosen to retell in four narrative voices (two guys, two girls.) There is mystery, music, war, passion, and conflict in the original version and in this new one ... and I promise to tell you more in the NEXT newsletter.

WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS

I'll be using this section to point you toward new things (or changes to existing things) on my author website:   

The book trailer for Kaleidoscope Eyes is our first one—and probably not our last. It only takes 60 seconds to view!

Become a fan on Jen Bryant's Facebook page, created and maintained by my daughter, Leigh. (The best way to reach me directly, however, is still thru regular email.

Discussion guides: Now there are more of them and they're easier to find. Go to the Teachers' page and click on the one you want to download. You may also access them on individual book pages.

PHILLIES: ARE YOU A PHAN? Follow us here.

Most of you know that I'm a huge Phillies fan, and those who've read Kaleidoscope Eyes and Ringside 1925 know that I've developed an interest in the history of the game, too! As I write this, Pedro Martinez has made his successful pitching debut for us in Chicago and we lead the 3-game series against the Cubs 2-0 (my apologies to my loyal readers who are also Cubs fans). Our guys have also awakened from their offensive slumber (Alleluia!) so I have a good feeling about the rest of the season. Stay tuned.