Our environment is under stress from so many sides it can be discouraging for students to think about. What can individuals do about global warming? Endangered species? Water shortages? Oil spills? Some may say just give up and go to the mall. Yet, we all need to think about these environmental problems and what hard … [Read more...] about Turtles and Chiru – and Stories of Hope
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Chiru Links
Oh, frabjous day! I've seen an advance copy of The Chiru of High Tibet (due out in October) and I'm so excited I want to fill a wagon with copies and carry them to my favorite libraries, to my friends' favorite libraries, to libraries I don't even know. I hope The Chiru of High Tibet will spark an interest in readers … [Read more...] about Chiru Links
Reflection on the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults
Ten days of intense focus on writing and story leave all of us who attend the Hamline MFA in writing for children and young adults residency with much to think about. Recently, I have been remembering the wonderful presentation by Lauren Stringer (on the left in the photo) and Wendy Orr. They told us the stories behind … [Read more...] about Reflection on the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults
Choosing the Details
When Phyllis Root and I were working on our presentation for the Hamline University MFA residency earlier this month I realized how much I love old cookbooks, the ones that have little stories or recollections to go with the recipes. Now comes a book, a history, based on the eating habits of people who lived in New … [Read more...] about Choosing the Details
Every Word
I am away from home, teaching at the Hamline University MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. There's a wonderful energy here when so many people get together who are just going to dig in and live writing for children and young adults. We think about writing, critique writing, talking about writing, and … [Read more...] about Every Word
Another Species, Another Rescue
When I was working on The Chiru of High Tibet, I began to think that there may be a need in us, one that we are only partly aware of, to keep our entire world intact. That wholeness is so important to us that four trekkers would risk their lives and health to save a species they might not see again. They had … [Read more...] about Another Species, Another Rescue
