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The We Need Diverse Books™ Walter Award Judges Committee has confirmed selections for the inaugural Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature – Young Adult Category. One winner and two honors have been named.

The Walter Dean Myers Award, also known as “The Walter,” is named for prolific children’s and young adult author Walter Dean Myers (1937 – 2014). Myers was a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature as well as a champion of diversity in children’s and YA books.

The winner of the first annual Walter award (2016) is the young adult novel All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. The judges also selected two Walter honor books: Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle and X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!

Forget “strong female character.” Aim for: “Woman or girl with agency.” One who makes decisions, affects the story, pushes the plot. –– Chuck Wendig

Books about Girls who Rescue Themselves

May B by Caroline Rose

Pennyroyal Academy by M.A. Larson

Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

Night on Fire by Ronald Kidd

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Wildwood by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Carson Ellis

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Important ideas to consider when creating characters who are black and indigenous people of color. (x)

Pretty much!

Every Other Rom-Com Ever

Female Lead: I am an uptight workaholic, and am neurotic to the point of damaging my personal relationships. [trips and tells implausible lies] But I’m also clumsy and awkward so it’s okay.

Best Friend: I am a quirky free spirit who inexplicably enjoys your company. I’m sassy, laid-back, and somehow always right.

Quirky Parents: We’re benignly embarrassing! And also somehow always right.

Female Lead: I’m lonely, but I still have The Plan. That’ll make me happy, right?

Best Friend: [rolls eyes] The Plan can’t keep you warm at night, if you know what I mean.

Quirky Parents: You can’t spend your life with The Plan. [Insert adorkable old people moment]

Both Together: THE PLAN DOES NOT INVOLVE LOVE.

Male Lead: [enters, probably awkwardly] Hello, I am a charming asshole whose assholery hides a sensitive heart.

Female Lead: YOU DO NOT GEL WITH THE PLAN.

Male Lead: Fuck The Plan. Stop being so uptight. Stop caring so much about things I don’t care about.

Female Lead: But I have dreams! Aspirations that have nothing to do with you!

Male Lead: [follows her around] Me, tho.

Female Lead: [relents] Perhaps you are correct.

[They are happy for 5 minutes, in which he is overbearing and she is uncomfortable cool with it.]

[Insert The Event. Maybe she lied to him. Maybe she prioritized her career and life goals over her sort-of-boyfriend. Maybe *gasp* AN EASILY EXPLAINABLE MISUNDERSTANDING. He shames her for what she’s done and storms off.]

Female Lead: I was wrong. But it’s too late to apologize for some reason.

Best Friend OR Quirky Parents: You should apologize.

Female Lead: But it’s too late for some reason! Also The Plan! Perhaps we were never meant to be.

Best Friend OR Quirky Parents: Fuck The Plan. This guy you’ve known for like a week eclipses everything else. Go to him.

Female Lead: You’re right! [leaves friend’s wedding/important meeting/family reunion/etc. Goes to him with big gesture. Trips, because she’s still clumsy and awkward.] I’M SORRY FOR NOT MAKING YOU TOP PRIORITY IN MY LIFE, MAN I’M ONLY KIND OF DATING.

Male Lead: I’m sorry I shamed you for having a life plan that doesn’t revolve around romance/sex, but this scene still implies I was right to do so.

Female Lead: Fuck The Plan.

[They kiss]

Female Lead: [narrating] Thus I learned that romantic love is more important than any other kind of love, or financial stability, or dreams you’ve had for literally decades. And I am better for it now. The End.

October is #BlackSpecFic Month. Visit bit.ly/BlackSpecFic for a chance to win a $100 Gift Card and free books http://thndr.me/N2Xfpb

When even the snowmen are #patriots fan (at New Haven, Connecticut)

Wow um can he be the next Spider-Man? Hawt!

”Wanted to submit my work for your blog! Amazing Spider-Man in Milwaukee, WI”

[ Follow SuperheroesInColor on facebook / twitter / tumblr ]

It’s Here! Happy Release Day to #DAGGER, my New #YA #Paranormal #Espionage #Adventure, AVAILABLE TODAY! Get Your Copy Now! #FallForDagger http://www.amazon.com/Dagger-D-U-S-T-Ops-Mission-Book-ebook/dp/B014U12IY0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441885131&sr=8-1&keywords=dagger+steven+dos+santos

“We both are in the middle, and nobody teases us for it.”

ICYMI: Kumu Hina, an indigenous Hawaiian hula teacher who identifies as mahu (”in the middle” when it comes to gender), comforts a transgender student in the trailer for the upcoming film A Place in the Middle. (via BuzzFeed)