Virtual Presentation: A Conversation Around Book Banning in New England
Oct 15, 2024
Online event
Please join us on October 15th to hear from Padma, Federico, and Alexandra about their experiences with book banning and book challenges and its effects on creators and readers. Bring your questions for a brief Q&A at the end of the session! Presented by the New England SCBWI Equity & Inclusion Team. This is a free, virtual event. If you cannot attend the live event, please register to receive the link to the replay. The replay will be available shortly after the session.
Guest Bios:
Padma Venkatraman
Padma Venkatraman is the author of The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars, A Time to Dance, Island's End and Climbing the Stairs. Her books have sold over ¼ million copies, received over 20 starred reviews, and won numerous awards: Walter Dean Myers Award, South Asia Book Award, Golden Kite, ALA Notable etc. Her poetry has appeared in Poetry Magazine and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. “An exquisite novel in verse by one of my favorite poets,” says Newbery honor winner, Margarita Engle, about Padma’s upcoming novel, Safe Harbor. Inspired by Padma’s doctorate in oceanography, Safe Harbor features a girl who rescues a stranded seal. When she’s not writing, Padma loves teaching and sharing her love for reading, writing and science.
Federico Erebia
Federico Erebia is a retired physician, woodworker, author, poet, and illustrator. He received the 2024 Lambda Literary Exceptional New Writer Award. His debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido 2023), has additional commendations: 2024 Ohioana Book Award - Finalist; 2024 Massachusetts Book Award - Longlist; 2024 Crystal Kite Award - Honor Book; 2024 Américas Book Award - Commended Book; 2024 Bank Street BEST BOOK; the 2023 Kirkus Reviews BEST BOOK; the 2023 Nerdy Book Club BEST BOOK; feature on NPR’s Weekend Edition; and starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness. He and his husband live near Boston, Massachusetts.
Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs
Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs is author of picture books such as The Lobster Lady, I Am Made of Mountains, The Pocket Book, The Traveling Camera, and Thérèse Makes a Tapestry. Her books have won awards including Maine’s Lupine Award and Wisconsin’s Outstanding Achievement Award. They have also been featured on news outlets such as CBS News and The Washington Post. Alex is also a librarian and has worked in school, public, and academic libraries. She was also a historical researcher at American Girl. She currently works in a public library tucked in the woods in rural Maine. She lives in Bangor with her husband, three wild sons, and two tame cats.