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Celebrate Library Week and the freedom to read with acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson. On this episode, we celebrate Laurie's latest release, Rebellion 1776, an adventure that began as Laurie recovered from COVID-19. Inspired by Abigail Adams' smallpox inoculation, this tale unravels the lives of working-class youth in Boston during the American Revolution. Elspeth Culpepper might just change how you perceive history.

We explore the vibrant world of historical fiction for young readers with the author who gave us Fever 1793, Chains, Forge, and Ashes. Discover how focusing on the everyday experiences of children from the past, rather than just the prominent figures, brings history alive in much the same way fantasy novels do. We explore the meticulous research required to craft these narratives and the role of digitized primary sources. We also discuss the impact of reframing historical fiction as adventure novels, transforming them into captivating portals for young readers to explore different worlds.

We also tackle free speech and the freedom to read, examining increasing efforts to ban books featuring diverse characters and themes. We reflect on the societal implications of this censorship and its impact on educators, libraries, readers, and emerging authors, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. We emphasize the importance of maintaining diverse narratives in children's literature, advocating for empathy and understanding to foster a more inclusive literary landscape.

Chapters:

01:30 Rebellion 1776

11:42: Teaching History Honestly

13:10: Framing Historical Fiction as Adventure Novels

15:39: Historical World Building Through Extensive Research

21:26: The Importance of Free Speech and Freedom To Read

30:31: Library Heroes, Freedom to Read, and Common Sense

34:05: Lessons from Young Readers

Links:

• Purchase Rebellion 1776
• Laurie Halse Anderson's website
  • Educator's Guides for Laurie's Books
  • Censorship Resources
    • PEN America
    • EveryLibrary
    • American Library Association
    • Authors Against Book Bans

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*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.