Have you ever thought about making a historical graphic novel? Consider signing up for the @scbwi.bsky.social summer virtual conference! I will be teaching a breakout session August 1 @ 1:30pm PST (4:30pm EST) about creating emotional impact in a historical graphic novel. Hope to see you there!

The Declaration of Independence is what the United States was founded on 250 years ago. The government has one job: to protect its people. If it does not do that, the people must change the government. The government serves THE PEOPLE, not the other way around. The power lies with THE PEOPLE, folks.

I am beside myself with excitement. I have written (and re-written) my Printz acceptance speech, I’ve bought a dressy thing (for the first time in years) and I am chomping at the bit to go to the Chicago. Will you be there? Come find me! @mackidssl.bsky.social #ALA2026 #printz #kidlit #chicago

I am beside myself with excitement. I have written (and re-written) my Printz acceptance speech, I’ve bought a dressy thing (for the first time in years) and I am chomping at the bit to go to the Chicago. Will you be there? Come find me! @mackidssl.bsky.social #ALA2026 #printz #kidlit #chicago

WOOT!!! Blackbird is included on @bankstreet.edu Best Children’s Books of 2025 (with a * for outstanding merit) along with a bunch of other great books. I feel so very honored and grateful to have Blackbird included. Thank you, Bank Street for this wonderful honor! #kidlit #yabooks #bankstreet

Thank you, Marjane Satrapi, for the inspiration, understanding and wisdom you gave us. Rest in peace.

Here's a video explainer for the now THREE federal book banning bills that could impact EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE NATION.

Curious about my personal story, and how it influences my work? Check out my latest Substack, along with the best bit of writing advice I ever received (thank you, Jim Averbeck!) substack.com/@blackbirdex...

MY STORY

Discover Maria's personal story, and how it influences her work🐦‍⬛

substack.com

Secure CLASSROOMS over BALLROOMS. #guncontrolnow

Is it a good idea to elevate individuals to hero status in books for kids/teens, or is it more honest and inspiring to focus on the movement behind the individuals? Read my thoughts (and those of @Yuyimorales) in my latest newsletter. Link in bio/Linktree #herosjourney substack.com/@blackbirdex...

Everyone loves a hero

About how stories from our past can open eyes, minds and hearts, by the creator of the award-winning graphic novel Song of a Blackbird🐦‍⬛

substack.com

MORE NEWS: ALA & our co-plaintiff @afscme.bsky.social have prevailed in our lawsuit to preserve the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS)! Our binding settlement agreement with the Dept. of Justice protects the agency and its congressionally mandated work. More: www.ala.org/news/2026/04...

‪I love to talk to middle/high schoolers and college students about the story behind my graphic novel Song of a Blackbird. If you would like to have me come speak to your school or university, check out my website! #authorvisit #graphicnovel #kidlit www.vanlieshoutstudio.com/author-visit/

Wanna see me get overcome with emotion when ALA/YALSA’s awesome librarian Justin Hofstetter asks me about getting the call from him and the rest of the Printz committee about Blackbird’s selection for Printz Honor? www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqEc...

“Concerned” parents are forcing librarians to remove books about and by people not white and straight. But they wouldn’t be so afraid if they weren’t threatened by our changing world. Just like the Nazis in WW2... open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...

There's still time to register for this free virtual event supporting a worthy cause...and what a fantastic author lineup! pen.org/event/we-ris... @penamerica.bsky.social @justusbooks.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social @cbcbooks.bsky.social @authorsguild.org @thebrownbookshelf.bsky.social

We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices

Join Cheryl and Wade Hudson to uplift messages of hope, resilience, and activism for young people in Minneapolis and across the county.

pen.org

Just Us Books@justusbooks.bsky.social · 5mo ago

We’re raising our voices for the students of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN! Register here to join this virtual author event, Tuesday, March 10, 11 am Eastern/10 am Central pen.org/event/we-ris...

BIG feelings are OK in our sideways world. We feel because we care. We care about others and about our world. We feel because we are human. Be human. Also, check on your friends. #behuman (Illustration from Song of a Blackbird, where Emma just witnessed Erik get shot by the SS for resisting).

Thank you, Lisa, for including 🐦‍⬛

Lisa Yelon@lisayelon.bsky.social · 5mo ago

New blog post: My thoughts on a handful of this year's winners, including ones by @maryshyneonline.bsky.social, @antontreuer.bsky.social, @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social, and @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social. www.lisayelon.com/blog/ala-202...

Inspiration comes to us in many forms. Injustice, war, propaganda, indifference, oppression.... all these can inspire too. They can inspire action, resistance, expression, compassion, love, ART! #resist #songofablackbird

Quote by Iranian-French graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi. This is just about the best time I can think of to re-read her incredible graphic novel Persepolis. #satrapi #persepolis #iran #war

ART is LOVE. Art that serves humanity and truth endures, while art that serves expectations most often does not, and is propaganda if it serves ideology. open.substack.com/pub/mariavan...

Thank you @oklibs.bsky.social for including Blackbird on the intermediate Sequoyah reading list! I’m thrilled that teens all over Oklahoma will be reading this superb list of books and that they will learn about the artists in the Amsterdam Resistance through Blackbird🐦‍⬛! #oklahoma #kidlit

Happy Lunar New Year! In Song of a Blackbird, we see how Koenji has painted this street poem: Grab our UNBRIDLED FUTURE TIGHTLY by the MANE and RIDE IT like a WILD mustang towards the WORLD we DREAM about. Koenji was channeling FIRE HORSE energy. Let’s GOOOOOOOO! #kidlit #lunarnewyear

The only thing more powerful than HATE is LOVE.” - Bad Bunny Happy Valentine’s Day 🧡

Your Black History Moment Not in The Epstein Files.

I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 25 years ago. It has provided me with a roadmap and with community, which are the two most important things when navigating the world of kidlit. To be recognized by @scbwi.bsky.social means everything. Thank you, my friends! #kidlit

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

youtu.be

So proud and grateful to be honored along these astonishingly beautiful Macmillan books. @fineangeline.bsky.social, @adinaking.bsky.social, @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social, @juanamartinezn.bsky.social @alyssacolman.bsky.social @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #ala #kidlit #graphicnovel #printzaward

Macmillan Children's School & Library Marketing@mackidssl.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Congratulations to our 2026 Youth Media Award Winners & Honors! Find out more about our these incredible books at the link! tinyurl.com/2hmzk89y @fineangeline.bsky.social, @adinaking.bsky.social, @vanlieshoutstudio.bsky.social, @juanamartinezn.bsky.social @alyssacolman.bsky.social

Isn’t she lovely? Black, red and SILVER look SMOKIN’ HOT together, as it turns out. @mackidssl.bsky.social @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #americanlibraryassociation #youthmediaawards #printzaward #graphicnovel #kidlit