Mitali Perkins

The best authors turn us into armchair travelers, whether in this world or into other ones. John Green took us to Orlando in PAPER TOWNS. Sarah Dessen makes me feel like I know the suburbs of North Carolina...

Curious about how to throw a virtual book launch party? Stop by Grace Lin's launch of her enchanting new fantasy WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON (Little Brown)...

My last author visit of this academic year was a quick 24-hour sojourn to Chattanooga, Tennessee over the weekend...

Last week, I asked visitors to the Fire Escape when, if ever, it would be okay to update a classic children's book to reflect changing mores about race...

Every now and then, I'm going to pose a 12-second video question about a YA or children's book I've just finished reading. I want to listen to you before I post my own answer, so please leave your thoughts in the comments...

The audience at the Greenwich Arts Council and Leslie Guegen of Just Words listened yesterday to Rachel Vail (GORGEOUS/Harper Collins) and me (SECRET KEEPER/Random House) share tips about writing books for kids and teens.A no-duh takeaway for authors (including me) from the talented, funny, and...

The Massachusetts Center for the Book recommends children's/YA books published in 2008 by Massachusetts authors. Full disclosure: I'm on the list. Winners of the Book Awards will be announced shortly.Picture Books As Good as Anybody by Richard Michelson...

At our Boston Bookish Tweetup on Sunday, literary agent Lauren MacLeod of the Strothman Agency reflected on the current and future state of Middle Grade (MG) and Young Adult (YA) books. Lauren kindly gave me permission to post some notes here...

Hinting at a future of low-cost regional gatherings, a group of bookish folk who weren't at Book Expo America connected via Twitter at Porter Square Books on Sunday 5/31 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.We exchanged books and social media tips, made new connections, and enjoyed the cozy ambience of one...

With Laurie Halse Anderson pouting about not being at Book Expo America (BEA), and the BEA Twitty Party rising into the top ten trending topics on Twitter, a few of us who aren't in New York decided to host a Boston Bookish Tweetup.When? Sunday, 5.31.09, 2 p.m.Where...

I opened an old folder of poetry and found this one written years ago...

In some communities, if you know someone who knows somebody, or are a writer, you show up in the local classroom and talk about your work.Not so in Newton, Massachusetts.Yesterday, I showcased a presentation called "RICKSHAW GIRL and ALPANA ART" to sixty or so parent volunteers...

I share links about children's and YA books with my followers on Twitter...

Here's the third prize winner from last year's contest (read the first-place poem and second-place poem) to remind you that the deadline for submission to the 2009 Fire Escape Short Fiction and Poetry Contests is June 1st...

My first novel for younger readers (as opposed to teens), published in 2007, is doing okay...

Laura Resau, author of RED GLASS, is chatting with readergirlz tonight, Wednesday, May 20th, 9 o'clock EST/ 6 o'clock PST at the readergirlz blog.Pop in and out of the chat as you watch Idol, chat with Laura about anything under the sun, and find out how she felt about all those awards and starry...

For serious writers of children's books and YA fiction, New England offers a wealth of opportunities this summer to work on craft. We're a gorgeous destination for those who live elsewhere. Why not combine work and play...

Most of you know I microblog about YA and children's books on twitter. I post timely links there, and bit.ly allows me to track which are the most useful to my followers. Here are five recent tweets pointing to links garnering at least a hundred clicks each:The @bridgetzinn auction is heating up...