Dear Readers,
 
Happy New Year!  2019 is gearing up to be a very busy, productive, and transformative year for me as an author.  I have already two books being launched and promoted, a writing residency, an Alberta tour, on faculty at a conference, several signings already booked, and a few events in the works.  I still continue to write and I am excited about my work. Thank you so much for your support as I journey through my career.  Your kind words and messages mean a lot.
 
Sincerely,
 
Nadia

1. Harriet Tubman Book Launch 2019
​Come celebrate with me! On January 22 2019, I will be launching "HARRIET TUBMAN: Freedom Fighter", my fifth book and my first book in the I Can Read Series with HarperKids (formerly Harper Collins Children's Books). We are commemorating the life of this remarkable woman who led people to freedom and inspired future generations. Join me for song, story, and refreshments.
            

​2. TD Children’s Book Week 2019: Going to Alberta!
Looks like I'll be heading due West for TD Canadian Children's Book Week in May 2019. To book a presentation in Alberta at your local classroom, library, or community centre, check out the following link here.  The deadline is January 31, 2019.  

3. ​ NaNoWriMo and the Young Writers Program
Every November, 400, 000 people around the world begin writing a 50, 000 word novel.  NaNoWriMo 2018 brought a few firsts for me.  It was the first year that I participated in NaNoWriMo and managed to complete a full draft of a novel.  My novel, which I am currently calling Rexdale Story, is a young adult romance.  Not only did I complete the NaNoWriMo word count challenge, I completed it one week early (November 25) but I was also almost 10, 000 words over the limit.  I continue to work on my Rexdale story.  In addition, NaNoWriMo 2018 I started a NaNoWriMo club at the school where I teach. I must say I'm excited and proud to work with this small group of really gifted writers-- both teachers and Grade 7 and 8 students. It was inspiring to watch this group see themselves as writers and discuss their stories.  One pair of students even managed to finish writing a novel based on their friendship.

​4.  FOLD Kids Festival Coordinator
​As many of you already know, I am passionate about diversity in children's books and reading diversely. I've also had fun organizing events for years through TIFF, Les Jeux de la Francophonie 2001, ICED IN BLACK (a film festival I started back in the day), and other events. So I'm excited to share the news that I will be working with The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) Kids team in Brampton including Jael Richardson and Léonicka Valcius who are part of this Sankofa's Pen (African Canadian Writers for Children and Young Adults) online group. This is truly an exciting time for diverse children's literature.
 
Here is the press release at this link.

5. SCBWI Canada East 2019 in Montreal
I will be on the faculty of the upcoming SCBWI Canada East Art of Story Conference in Montreal, Quebec this May 2019.  I have attended this conference in 2015, 2016, and 2018 as well SCBWI NYC in 2015 and 2016 and SCBWI LA in 2018.  The details regarding the workshop that I will be presented shall be announced soon.

6. Words of Advice
Pause, notice, and celebrate your accomplishments.

7. Important Dates
HARRIET TUBMAN: Freedom Fighter Book Launch
​Tuesday, January 22, 2018 7pm
Toronto, ON, Canada
 
Friday, February 1, 2019
​Booksigning
Time: TBA
Ontario Library Association (OLA) Conference
Toronto, ON
 
Sunday, February 3, 2019
1-4pm
Chapters Vega
​Mississauga, ON

Friday, February 8, 2019
10:15 AM  
1:15 PM  
​Toronto, ON
 
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Malaika Carnival Storytime
10:30-11:15am
Bloor Gladstone Library
Toronto, ON
 
Saturday, February 9, 2019
1-4pm
Booksigning at Indigo Yonge & Eglinton 
Toronto, ON

Saturday, February 16, 2019
10:30am
Bank Street Bookstore
New York, NY

Saturday, February 23, 2019
1-3pm
Knowledge Bookstore
Brampton, ON

Wednesday, April 10, 2019
7-9pm
Canadian Society for Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP)
Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Presenter, May 4-11, 2019
TD Canadian Children's Book Week Tour
Alberta, Canada
 
Presenter, May 24-26, 2019
Conference TBA
Montreal, PQ, Canada
 
Writer in Residence
July and August 2019
Joy Kogawa House
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Here's to a new year and a fresh start!
​
2019 Writing Goals

- fully edit and prepare 2 young adult novel manuscripts for submission to potential publishers and agents
- prepare 1 complete Malaika... play manuscript for submission
- finish 5 picture book manuscripts ready for submission
- complete TD Canada Children's Book Week Tour in MAY 2019
- attend 4 literary/writing for children conferences-- KWELI, SCBWI CANADA EAST, SCBWI LA?, CANSCAIP 
- research and query agents, sign with one (finally)
- Social media strategy, consider getting an assistant: 
      -  1 blogpost weekly
      -  1 seasonal e-newsletter
      -  1 youtube video for my channel monthly
      -  2 tweets daily
      -  Instagram and Facebooks bi-weekly
-  apply for grants 1 week early
-  establish a consistent writing schedule
-  get more involved in the children's writing/literature/literacy community "behind the scenes"
-  new face-to-face critique group with my writing peers
-  offer 2 workshops
-  take a writing course 
-  read 200 books (focus more on contemporary young adult romance, scifi/fantasy, picture books, children's non-fiction, NYT bestsellers, slave narratives)
-  1 writing residency at Joy Kogawa House in JULY and AUGUST 2019
-  booksignings and presentations in FEBRUARY 2019 BLACK HISTORY MONTH 
-  promotion, signings, presentations, and book launch for HARRIET TUBMAN: FREEDOM FIGHTER (Dec. 31, 2019) in US and Canada
-  promotion, signings, presentations, and book launch for A LIKKLE MISS LOU (Sep. 1, 2019) in US, Canada, UK, and Jamaica
-  network
-  celebrate writing successes more often

It's been a very busy January/February-- what with report cards, parent-teacher conferences, writing deadlines, a busy presentation schedule during Black History Month,  and trying to find a happy balance. But I kept on reading.  Thank goodness for audiobooks.  I have decided to change my format for "What Am I Reading? Part 9 January/February 2019.  Instead of posting all of the reviews for each of the books I have read, I will post only the book covers with just a few reviews.  Part of the reason for this is that posting can be too time consuming (I need more time to write) plus, I already post my reviews on Goodreads for your reading pleasure.  In addition, I will be posting a year-end review of all of the books I read in 2019 similar to the format I used in posting my favourite books in 2018 here.  My 2019 reading goal is 200 books and as of finishing this post on February 24th, I have read 30 books which is 3 ahead of schedule.  Hopefully, I have provided enough suggestions for you-- a mix of African-American texts, diverse young adult books, picture books, and some classics.  Happy reading everyone! 

• Barracoon: The Story of the "Last Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston
• The Unlikely Hero of 13B by Teresa Toten
• The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel
• Holes by Louis Sachar
• Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
• Rain Is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• When We Were Alone by David Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett
• Betty Before X by Iyanah Shabazz with Renee Watson
• The Walking Bathroom by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Erin Bennett Banks
• The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
• Sounder by William H. Armstrong
• Sugar by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• The Bagel King by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Sandy Nichols
• Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Jared Schorr
• Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
• Festival of Colors by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
• They All Die at the End by Adam Silvera
• Wonder by R. J. Palacio
• The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• Geronimo Stilton Book #20 and #21
• Stuart Little by E.B. White
• The Boy In the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
• Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Raúl Colón
• Don't Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller
• Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls
• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
• The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
• Riot by Walter Dean Myers

Barracoon: The Story of the "Last Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston
Impressive research completed by both Zora Neale Hurston and editor Deborah G. Plant. This was a book I had longed to read about the last "Black Cargo" who was illegally smuggled into the United States from Africa. His village was raided by the Dahomey of Benin and then he was brought across the ocean to the United States on a 70-day journey. He had been enslaved for 5 years but was unable to purchase his passage to return to Africa. It was interesting learning about how this short book was compiled. I also learned more about the continental African presence and language that existed within the US. Unfortunately, so much of this has been lost. Thank you Dr. Plant for persisting to bring this story to the world. ​

The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel
I have been to Portugal in July 2017.  What a beautiful nation!  This country takes place over two time periods-- one in the earlier part of the nineteenth century, the second in a modern time.  I am not sure if I understood everything.  Three men are drawn to "the High mountains of Portugal" line and they have generational, inextricable link. I feel like there is the symbolism used of the crucifix, chimpanzee (primate species), the elusive Iberian rhinoceros (extinct), the newly invented automobile, and the mysteries and veneration of saints in the Catholic church.  It felt like a portrait in a lot of ways, as I could feel the sun of Portugal shining.  It also felt like three separate short stories.​

Holes by Louis Sachar
Spoilers: This book was okay.  I had heard about it for a long time as it is read in many schools as well.  Stanley Yelnats is away at "camp" to pay for a crime he did not commit.  At this location, I meet other teenage boys.  The task at hand is to dig for holes.  I wonder about the symbolism of these holes and about the ensuing escape, rediscovery, and hidden treasure that seems to be lurking around every corner.  What was the purpose of the warden and the cruel adults who made these kids do this seemingly pointless activity of hole-digging?  Not sure.

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish​

Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Raúl Colón​

This year has been a record for me.  I started with a goal of reading 50 books in 2018 and as I write this, I have read 167 and I continue to read others.  I estimate that by December 31, I will have completely read 175 books.  That would be 350% of my goal.  As a writer, being an avid reader is essential.  Reading helps me to appreciate different styles of writing, learn about trends, read my writing colleagues' works, improve my own work, see what makes an award-winning novel a success, and other possibilities.  Today, I decided to rank my top 10 favourite books that I read this year. 

My 2018 Top 10 Favourite Canadian Books I Read:

• Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
• A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
• The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Beware that Girl by Teresa Toten
• All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
• We Are All Made of Molecules and Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen
• Saints & Misfits by SK Ali
• Boat People by Sharon Bala
• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
• Brother by David Chariandy​​

My Top 10 Favourite Young Adult (YA) Books I Read in 2018:

• Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
• I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez
• A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
• The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
• November Blues and Fall of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper
• When Dimple Met Rishi by Sadhya Menon
• The Fault In Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, Abundance of Katherines, and Will Gayson by John Green​
• We Are All Made of Molecules and Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen​
• Piecing Me Together and This Side of Home by Renee Watson
• The Marrow Thieves by Christine Dimaline

My Top 10 Favourite Middle Great (MG) Books I Read in 2018:

• The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
• Gone Crazy in Alabama and Clayton Bird Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
• Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender
• The Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake
• As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds
• Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper
• Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
• Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon M. Flake

My Top 10 Favourite Picture Books I Read in 2018:

• Crown by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Gordon James​
• Deep Underwater by Irene Luxbacher
• Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
• All Are Welcome Here by Alexandra Penfold
• Africville by Shauntay Grant; illustrated by Eva Campbell
• Stolen Words by Melanie Florence; illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
• Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings by Francie Latour; illustrated by Ken Daley
• The Boy and the Blue Moon by Sara O'Leary; illustrated by Ashley Crowley
• A Greyhound, A Groundhog by Emily Jenkins; illustrated by Chris Appelhans
• Even Superheroes Have Bad Days ​by Shelly Becker; illustrated by Eda Kaban

My Top 10 Favourite Black Speculative/AfroFuturism Books I Read in 2018:

• Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
• Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• The Jumbies and The Rise of Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
• American Street by Ibi Zoboi
• Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
• Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
• Shadow House Fall by Daniel José Older
• The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
• Fledgling by Octavia Butler
  

Top 10 Overall Favourite Books I Read in 2018

My criteria for selecting these books is for the fresh ways that they told stories.  These were the stories that clasped my heart and would not let go.  These audiobooks made me want to sit in my car and not leave so that I could listen to them in their entirety.  These books, I held tightly.  These were the fresh stories that I really needed.  These were the stories I did not want to end.

Some of these books were actually published in 2018 and a few are oldies and it was tough pick.  You can see the reviews and the covers below.

This was so tough so first I picked ten runner ups... no twelve. 

Very close runners up of books I read in 2018:

• The Fault In Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, Abudance of Katherines, and Will Gayson by John Green
• Harbor Me, Miracles' Boys, and Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
• Fledgling by Octavia Butler
• Beware that Girl by Teresa Toten
• Crown by Derek Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
• Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
• We Are All Made of Molecules and Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen
• Gone Crazy in Alabama and Clayton Bird Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
• When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
• Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
• History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
• Piecing Me Together and This Side of Home by Renee Watson

​Top 10 Overall Favourite Books I Read in 2018

• Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
• I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
• A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
• And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
• The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
• The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
• every book by Sharon M. Draper
• When Dimple Met Rishi by Sadhya Menon
• American Marriage and Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Egmont Books, 2018 

Mark your calendars!

​I live in a world of magic and story. My stories are woven from memories, conversations, inspirations, dreams, and facts. I work with a team to help bring tales to fruition on printed pages. What a blessing to be in this process! Written after reading edits on #book8?

I have been learning Portuguese since 2015.  Yesterday, I did a final presentation for my Portuguese Level 3 class.  The topic I chose was travelling in Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) regions, that is, places with Afro-Portuguese roots.  In this piece, my travels encompass three countries-- Ghana, Portugal, and Brazil.  My original goal for studying Portuguese was so that I could communicate when I travelled to Brazil to conduct research and read local texts for a book project.  Since then, I have since decided to continue studying the language so I do not regress in my ability and because I enjoy speaking it so much.  Expect to see more second language and third language posts up soon.  

    As of writing this blogpost on December 30 2018, I have read 178 books this year.  I have enjoyed this journey of getting to know the work of my writing colleagues and peers as well some highly recommended texts.  I have learned so much about storytelling and novel structure that it has helped me to craft and shape my works in progress.  I cannot wait to see what 2019 brings me in the literary world.  I have some amazing books on hold with my Overdrive Toronto Public Library account and I cannot wait to delve in them as well as finish the books that I am still reading.  I may set a reading goal next year of 200 but let's see how it goes... Nevertheless, I hope that I have now inspired you to pick up more books of your own to read this year.  Happy reading!!!!

• Ripper by Isabel Allende
• Big Dose of Lucky by Martha Jocelyn
• ​Olivia by Ian Falconer
• We're All Wonders by R. J. Palacio
• Pinned by Sharon Flake
• ​Pride by Ibi Zoboi
• Jump Cut by Ted Staunton
• Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan
• Coda by Ted Staunton
• All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
• Drawn Together by Minh Le; illustrated by Dan Santat
• Julia, Child by Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Julie Morstad
• The Fog by Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Kenard Pak​
• The Specific Ocean by Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Katty Maurey
• Bird by Angela Johnson
• Miracles' Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
• Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• ​The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• ​Ink Me by Richard Scrimger
• Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
• When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandha Menon
• Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
• Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
• Blended by Sharon M. Draper​

Big Dose of Lucky by Martha Jocelyne
Part of the Secrets series-- a young girls trying to find the origins of identity after their orphanage burns down.  This installment is about Malou, a mixed race Black girl who tries to find her roots.  Please find my review on Goodreads.

Olivia by Ian Falconer
Sweet, funny, and short story.  Lovely, quiet illustrations.  I have seen this book cover for a long time but was curious for what was inside.  I feel these jokes will be enjoyed by both adult and child.​

Pinned by Sharon Flake
Spoiler Alert: I loved this story.  It was very sweet and telling.  Sharon G. Flake's story is a "coming of age"/"coming to page" (you like that pun? see what I did there?) of Autumn, a female wrestler reluctant reader and low scoring student.  This is a nice flip on the traditionally portrayed male athlete who hates reading.  Autumn is madly in love with Adonis, a boy in a wheelchair who is a perfectionist, academic scholar with high standards and low tolerance for students who don't try or can't read.  In many ways, I identified with these parts of his personality yet his tough exterior is no match for Autumn's persistence and love.  Autumn is also the name of the main character in the manuscript I just finished for NaNoWriMo so imagine my shock.  I thought it was an original name so imagine my shock to find Autumn is also the name of the main character in Pinned.  And although school does not come easy to her, I like that she is a master baker, gifted swimmer, and well-liked by her teammates and other students but seems to get under the skin of the object of her affection.  This was a sweet, heartwarming story.  I also loved how author Sharon quietly referenced her own book as Autumn volunteered in the library with an eager young librarian who recommended a book about skin for a student's book report.  (Sharon Flake's novel, The Skin I'm In, was a bestselling novel that was published in 1998.)  Portrayals of nerds and academically-inclined characters who are both Black males and disabled are hard to come by as well but they are portrayed here in Pinned. I also loved how she shows the connection and reasons behind why some students have difficulty in school (e.g., family legacies) and the hurdles they must overcome.  This is a sweet love story about kids in eighth grade although it seems that they are older.​

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
This was a beautiful story about Melody Brooks-- a brilliant girl who lives with a disability.  She has cerebral palsy meaning that she lives with a physical (she is wheelchair bound, limited control of hands, arms, and legs) and mute.  Her voice lives in her head.  She is observant and her voice so passionate.  The story almost made me cry.  It reminded me of an incident that happened to me at grad night at Canada's Wonderland in which the group of "so-called" friends abandoned me and our disabled classmate at one of the rides.  The night was spent looking for these friends in time so my friend with a disability didn't have to be alone, all before my dad arrived early to pick me up.  I felt Melody's pain especially with the following incidents that took place after.  Sometimes life is tough.  What I love about this story is how it encourages resilience in young readers but also gives such intelligence and voice to a person living with a disability.  This story is also about maintaining ones dignity and "fitting in" or "not fitting in", "being liked" or "not being liked".  Thank you once again Sharon Draper for writing such an amazing story.  I wish I had discovered it years ago when it was a New York Times' Bestseller.  What a gem!​ (I read it on audiobook.)

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sadhya Menon
​A familiar story that feels fresh and exciting in how it was told.  It was part Bollywood movie in terms of story arc as well as some things were typical of many romantic films-- enter airport scene.  It also reminded me of The Sun Is Also a Star as well as the manuscript I am working on based on a play I wrote in high school.  I would love to revisit more of the author Sandhya's work.  It is the whole arranged marriage tradition vs. modern dilemma that a lot of first generation kids experience.  A beautiful new adult/young adult novel.​

I met the author Libba Bray at the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Los Angeles Conference in 2018.  This audibook narrated by her reminded me so much of her humour.  She says so much with the humour she uses here in a book about an island full of beauty queens who survive a plane crash.  It pokes fun at one of America's favourite pasttimes-- pageants.  Stereotypes such as contestants who lack intelligence, the Southern Christian right-winged proponents, token Black and brown girls, immigrant success stories, and sexy pirates abound while dealing with issues of representation, LGBTQI2A participation, and alliances.  This book is smart, cheeky, and salacious.  Filled with commercials, scams, and a hidden sinister plot, this book was a little on the long side but worth the read.  
​