Writing+for+Children+&+YA

As a writer and illustrator, I constantly feel fortunate to work at HMS. Writing and thinking about writing is key to what we do. Everyone's a writer, here, which helps demystify this sport. Not only that, but the student body inspires. As you will see, if you follow this link, my new book was inspired, in part, by a student's story. (Read the interview, which mentiones HMS, and, of course has factual errors, including that I "lead" the GT program.) The new book's main character has a blog. There's a link to that, too. India McAllister and her friends and enemies live in fictitious Wolfgang, but surely my days at HMS inspire me to create! Not only that, but a student came up with the adjective I needed for the title ("accidental"). I do feel lucky! [|The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister]

Here's how the student's mother responded:

Dear Charlotte,

What a thrill it was for Lili to receive your kind email with news of your new book! Thanks so much for writing to her. We are excited to buy a copy of the book as soon as it's available. Lili has been writing more chapters and variations of her life story. My hope is that one of these days she and I might be able to write an adoption book containing parallel chapters. I feel it would be enlightening and helpful to chronicle the process as it unfolded from each of our perspectives.

We are also hoping to be able to take Lili back to visit China in the fall. Her orphanage is moving to a new building and we feel it's important for her to be able to see it again before it changes forever.

Thank you again for your note to Lili, and for all that you have shared with her.

Kate