Akata Witch

Earlier this month, Time released a list of The 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time, which was less, well, young adult than you might expect. While it stands as a collection of 100 worthwhile reads, many are more reasonably classified as children’s, middle grade, or even adult titles. And while I’d never complain about a reminder to reread, […]

The Octavia Project might be the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of. Starting this summer, girls from underserved neighborhoods in Brooklyn will have the chance to combine an interest in science fiction with hands-on STEM education, honing their SF writing and world-building skills while simultaneously working with guest experts to learn about programming, architecture, electronics, or game design. The […]

Here’s the thing: I was super-excited to come up with a fun list of YA reads inspired by African mythology. Until I started trying to find some. Honestly, the lack of books delving into these rich cultures and histories is not just astounding, it’s mournful. There are some awesome writers exploring African myth in the […]

When I was a wee kid reader I didn’t know a feminist from a Flitterby—all I knew was I wanted to read books about awesome girls doing awesome things. I loved motherly Wendy Darling, starry-eyed Anne of Green Gables, even good girl Pollyanna—but I loved adventurous Lucy Pevensie more. I loved Pippi Longstocking, who could bench-press […]