The Brown Bookshelf profile picture

The Brown Bookshelf

I am here for Networking

About Me


The Brown Bookshelf is designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers. Our flagship initiative, 28 Days Later, is a month-long showcase of the best in picture books, middle grade and young adult novels written by African American authors.
The Brown Bookshelf Members
Paula Chase
Varian Johnson
Kelly Starling Lyons
Don Tate
Carla Sarratt
The Brown Bookshelf Summer Chat Series Be sure to join the Brown Bookshelf MySpace Forum and take part in our Summer Chat Series. So far we have the following confirmed guests:
June 18: Temperature Check - State of the Kiddie Lit industry. Need we say more? Chat with agent, Jen Carlson of Dunow, Carlson, Lerner from 10:00AM - 11:00AM EST.
July 23: Indies & The Author It's competitive out there. Even the big chains are having trouble. So how can authors and independent bookstores keep one another afloat? Come talk to reps from the indies that do it well. Confirmed so far, Jenn Laughren of Book Inc's, Not Your Mother's Book Club. Chat from 9:00PM - 10:00PM EST.
August 6: Hype, Hype Hooray Sure, authors, agents, publishers and librarians think we know what teen readers want…but do we really? Hear it right from the mouth of young readers. Chat from 9:00PM - 10:00PM EST.
Hope to see you there!

My Interests

We are committed to showcasing the best and brightest voices in African American children's literature, especially those authors and illustrators who are under the radar.

I'd like to meet:

The Brown Bookshelf wants to network with librarians, teachers, authors, illustrators, and others with a vested interest in African American children's literature.

Music:


Books:

We're authors who love to read and expose readers to more authors. Visit our website and read the blogs to stay in the know about children's literature.

Heroes:

Our Partners
The National African-American Read-In Chain / Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English

African-American Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

Black Caucus of the American Library Association

My Blog

Chat Today - Starts at 10 a.m. Eastern

Just a reminder that the chat with agent, Jennifer Carlson starts at 10 a.m. eastern.  Discuss the state of children's literature with an industry insider. Post questions now or join the forum ch...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:54:00 PST

What’s The State of Children’s Literature?

Is the children's market in a boom period or declining? What are agents and editors looking for when it comes to books for young readers? Do cycles matter? Or when it comes to the highs and lows of t...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:30:00 PST

YA Book Review: Sunrise Over Fallujah

by Carla Sarratt Last weekend I participated in Mother Reader's 48 Hour Reading Challenge.  Participants get 48 hours to read and review books of at least a fifth grade reading level.  This...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:43:00 PST

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks

by Don Tate Priscilla and the Hollyhocks Written by Anne Broyles Illustrated by Anna Alter Published by Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc., 2008 Priscilla dreamed of freedom, a dream to be fulfilled, but...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:25:00 PST

You Can’t Choose What You Can’t See

by Paula Chase Hmm...feels a little weird in the blogger's chair.  Have I been away that long? I'm peeking my head up from a forced hiatus because Becky Laney over at Becky's Book Reviews is gear...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:27:00 PST

Meet Shante Keys

by Don Tate .....
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:45:00 PST

Book Report: Metal Man

by Don Tate Metal ManWritten by Aaron ReynoldsIllustrated by Paul HoppePublished by Charlesbridge Publishing, June 2008 On a scorching hot day, Devon, a young Black child, skips out of the house and ...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:54:00 PST

It’s A Teen, Teen World

In case you live under a rock or haven't noticed, we're smack dab in the middle of a teen "renaissance."  Quotes are necessary because pop culture pundits don't believe it's a temporary thing, w...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Mon, 19 May 2008 07:26:00 PST

Membership Has Its Privileges

Have you joined The Brown Bookshelf Myspace forum yet? We know, we know - you're already a member of a million and one other forums, message boards and blog subscriptions. But one more won't kill you...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:33:00 PST

Faith in Fiction

by Carla Sarratt Christian fiction is not a new phenomenon. I grew up reading Catherine Marshall and Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series in the 80s. In the 90s, the Left Behind series gained widesp...
Posted by The Brown Bookshelf on Fri, 09 May 2008 04:15:00 PST