Episodes

  • From Page to Stage: Gregory Maguire’s WICKED

    From Page to Stage: Gregory Maguire’s WICKED
    Jul 29 2024
    Gregory Maguire, born in Albany, New York, is an acclaimed American novelist best known for "Wicked," "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," and numerous other works for adults and children. After his mother died during his birth, he was placed in an orphanage until age two when his father, having remarried, reclaimed him. Maguire has three half-siblings from his father's second marriage. Educated in Catholic institutions, Maguire earned a BA in English and Art from SUNY Albany, an MA in Children's Literature from Simmons College, and a PhD in English and American Literature from Tufts University. In 1978, he published his first novel, "The Lightning Time," and began to acknowledge his sexuality, identifying as gay. He was a professor and co-director at Simmons College's Center for the Study of Children's Literature from 1979 to 1986. In 1987, he co-founded the nonprofit Children's Literature New England, Inc. Maguire's first adult novel, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," published in 1995, gained popularity with its Broadway adaptation in 2003. By 2005, "Wicked" spent 26 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1997, Maguire met painter Andy Newman, and they adopted three children. They married in June 2004 and have lived in Concord, Massachusetts, since 1999. Maguire and his family were featured on Oprah in 2009. At Unban Coolies, we are honored to have Gregory Maguire share his experiences. His personal life and literary contributions significantly impact contemporary literature, inspiring countless readers worldwide.
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    27 mins
  • Jerry Spinelli’s Newbery Medal Secrets

    Jerry Spinelli’s Newbery Medal Secrets
    Jul 15 2024
    Jerry Spinelli, born on February 1, 1941, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, is a renowned author specializing in children's novels that explore themes of adolescence and early adulthood. Among his celebrated works are STARGIRL, MANAIC MAGEE, and WRINGER. Notably, Spinelli received the prestigious Newbery Medal for MANIAC MAGEE and a Newbery Honor for WRINGER, recognizing his exceptional contribution to children's literature. Spinelli's passion for writing was sparked at the age of 16 when he wrote a poem about his high school football team's significant victory. His father secretly submitted the poem to the local newspaper, which published it. This experience led Spinelli to realize his ambition to become a writer, abandoning his dream of playing major league baseball. During his time at Gettysburg College, Spinelli honed his writing skills by penning short stories and serving as the editor of the college literary magazine, The Mercury. After graduating in 1963, he earned an MA from Johns Hopkins University in 1964. Spinelli then spent the next two decades working various day jobs, allowing him to write fiction during his free time, including lunch breaks, weekends, and evenings. Initially, Spinelli wrote novels for adults, but all were rejected by publishers. His fifth novel, intended for adults, eventually became his first published children's book, SPACE STATION SEVENTH GRADE, in 1982. This shift marked the beginning of his successful career in children's literature. In 1977, Spinelli married Eileen Mesi, a fellow children's author. Eileen, writing as Eileen Spinelli, has collaborated with illustrators to produce numerous picture books since the 1980s. Jerry Spinelli currently resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where he continues to inspire young readers with his insightful and heartfelt stories.
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    11 mins
  • Folktales & Legends w Eric A. Kimmel

    Folktales & Legends w Eric A. Kimmel
    Jul 2 2024
    Eric A. Kimmel, a celebrated author of over 150 children’s books, is renowned for his contributions to children’s literature. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the 1990 Caldecott Honor for "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins," five National Jewish Book Awards, the Sydney Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 from the Association of Jewish Libraries, and the 2024 Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association. Various state school librarian associations from Iowa, Oklahoma, and Oregon have also honored him. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1946, Kimmel was influenced by the diverse languages and cultures of his neighborhood. He earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. Kimmel taught at Indiana University at South Bend and Portland State University, where he is now Professor Emeritus of Education. Kimmel's notable works include "The Chanukkah Guest," "Gershon's Monster," and "Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale." He resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Doris, continuing to inspire young readers through his rich and diverse storytelling. Visit his website: ericakimmel.com
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    36 mins
  • Make America Healthy Again w author of 2nd most banned book in the country #jonathanevison #books

    Make America Healthy Again w author of 2nd most banned book in the country #jonathanevison #books
    Jun 24 2024
    Jonathan Evison (born September 27, 1968) is an acclaimed American author known for his emotionally resonant and humor-filled novels. His notable works include "All About Lulu," "West of Here," "The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving," "This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance!," "Lawn Boy," "Legends of the North Cascades," and "Small World." Evison's debut novel won the Washington State Book Award, and his subsequent works have earned him critical acclaim and several awards, including multiple Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Awards. "The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving" was adapted into a Netflix film starring Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez. "Lawn Boy," published in 2018, has been both celebrated and controversial, facing bans in some schools and libraries for its candid exploration of race, sexual identity, and the struggles of American capitalism. Evison's writing has been compared to J.D. Salinger and Charles Dickens, and Sherman Alexie has praised him as "the most honest white man alive." Evison was born in San Jose, California, and later moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington. His journey to becoming a published author included stints as a musician and caregiver. He continues to live on Bainbridge Island with his family.
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    36 mins
  • ALA President’s Vision for Inclusive Libraries

    ALA President’s Vision for Inclusive Libraries
    Jun 17 2024
    Ray Pun is a librarian based in the Bay Area, CA, and an active member of APALA and CALA. He co-edited "Wikipedia and Academic Libraries: A Global Project" and has been elected as the 2024-2025 president-elect of ALA. He has 17 years of library experience and has worked at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University and NYU Shanghai. Pun holds a Doctorate in Education, a Master of Library Science, and has served as President of APALA and CALA. His leadership and dedication to diversity have made him a respected figure in the library field.
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    11 mins
  • Unlocking Imagination Brick by Brick, Autism Advocate, Lyn Miller-Lachmann

    Unlocking Imagination Brick by Brick, Autism Advocate, Lyn Miller-Lachmann
    Jun 10 2024
    Lyn Miller-Lachmann a distinguished author, educator, and translator. She holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and served as the editor of the journal MultiCultural Review for 16 years. Additionally, she earned a Masters in Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2012. Lyn's passion for teaching has led her to instruct middle and high school students in English, social studies, and Jewish studies. Her dedication to literature extends to her translation work, with her translation of Joana Estrela's "Pardalita" receiving acclaim as a 2024 Batchelder Honor Book from the American Library Association. As an author, Lyn's writing often explores themes of autism, drawing from her personal experiences as an adult diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Through her writing and sensitivity readings, Lyn advocates for greater representation and understanding of autistic protagonists in literature. She grew up in Texas and now lives in New York City alongside a giant LEGO town that she built. Visit her website: lynmillerlachmann.com
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    19 mins
  • Mythbusters with Kate Messner

    Mythbusters with Kate Messner
    Jun 3 2024
    Kate Messner is passionately curious and writes books for kids who wonder, too. A former news reporter, her award-winning titles include picture books like Over and Under the Snow and How to Write a Story; novels like All the Answers, Breakout, and Chirp; engaging nonfiction like The Next President and Tracking Pythons; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series, the popular Ranger in Time chapter books, and the new History Smashers illustrated nonfiction series, aimed at unraveling historical myths and sharing hidden truths. Learn more at her website, www.katemessner.com
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    14 mins
  • Organized Chaos

    Organized Chaos
    May 28 2024
    Emily Knox (she/her) is an associate professor at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned her Ph.D. from the doctoral program at the Rutgers University School of Communication & Information, her master’s in library and information science from the iSchool at Illinois, and holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Smith College and an A.M. in the same field from The University of Chicago Divinity School. Emily is an accomplished author, with her book "Book Banning in 21st Century America" (Rowman & Littlefield) being the inaugural monograph in the Beta Phi Mu Scholars’ Series. Her most recent publication, "Foundations of Intellectual Freedom" (ALA Neal-Schuman), clinched the prestigious 2023 Eli M. Oboler Prize for best published work in intellectual freedom. Her scholarly articles have found homes in esteemed journals like the Library Quarterly, Library and Information Science Research, and Open Information Science. A committed advocate, Emily serves on the board of the National Coalition Against Censorship and wields editorial responsibility as the steward of the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy. Her research delves into critical realms such as information access, intellectual freedom and censorship, information ethics and policy, and the interplay of print culture and reading habits. She contributes her expertise to the Mapping Information Access research team. Emily's impact extends beyond academia; she has lent her voice to national conversations on intellectual freedom, testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on book banning. Media outlets such as NPR, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time, and Slate have sought her insights, underscoring her role as a thought leader at the nexus of information and society.
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    12 mins