1. What do you see as the role of young adult literature for enriching the lives of young readers?
Books can change lives. Whether young readers see themselves in books which validate their experience and raise self-esteem and build confidence, or they see people who are different than they are which widens their view of the world and helps them develop compassion, books go a long way to enrich the lives of readers of all ages.
2. What drew you to write for young readers?
In terms of young adult literature, a direct experience compelled me to write for the teen audience. That direct experience was being the keynote speaker for what was then called “Gay Awareness Week” at the University of Wyoming in 1998, the year that Matthew Shepard was murdered. Matt was an out gay student at the University of Wyoming who was kidnapped, robbed, brutally beaten, tied to a fence outside of Laramie, and abandoned. He died five days later with his family by his side. And that was the day I arrived on campus to give my presentation. The students of the LGBT Association were sitting in the front row. They had left an empty seat for Matt. I knew it was my responsibility to tell his story, and so I wrote the teen novel-in-verse, “October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard” in hopes that the book would inspire young readers to take action to make the world a safer place as a way to honor Matt’s memory.
3. What are the stories yet to be told both for you as a writer and in YAL, in general?
In general, there need to be more stories that include LGBTQIA+ characters and BiPOC characters. The world of children’s and young adult literature has historically not reflected or represented the diversity of the world. There has been some improvement over the last few years but it is not enough. As for me, personally, I have written all my life, and while I am far from finished, I don’t know what stories I have yet to tell. I am not the kind of writer who has so many ideas, I don’t know where to start. I am the kind of writer who, as my friend, the late great writer Patricia MacLachlan used to say, sits and waits for a story to come along and tap me on the shoulder. 4. What is your message for teachers who want to create classrooms where YAL is central and celebrated?
There are so many wonderful young adult books out there! Read widely, and teach what touches your heart. Your students will respond to your enthusiasm and passion. And I would also like to thank teachers for all they do. It’s a difficult, challenging, exhausting, and rewarding job. Teachers make such a difference in the lives of their students. My high school creative writing teacher (shout out to Miss Stern!) changed my life by praising my poetry. You never know when a small act of kindness will have a large impact (and that goes for everyone, not just teachers).
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