 We are thrilled to have children's book author Ashley Franklin on our blog today! Read her essay below about the characters in her upcoming picture book, Our Favorite Day of the Week. We Listen and Don’t Judge: Taking Writing Cues from Characters By Ashley Franklin I write for kids with big hearts, big imaginations, and even bigger emotions. These qualities are reflected in the characters that I write. Like most authors, I find great joy in seeing young readers connect with the characters I create. It’s truly an emotional experience. When approached with the task of finishing the Our Favorite series, the biggest emotion I felt was fear. I was afraid of not doing these characters justice. I was also afraid of letting down an audience who was already fond of these characters. Still, one of my biggest fears was letting down the original author of the series. My first major writing goal when starting Our Favorite Day of the Week was to get out of my own head and into the characters’ heads. I spent a lot of time reading (and rereading) Our Favorite Day of the Year. I examined the text and images when trying to discern specific ways in which the characters engaged with each other and any patterns in speech or mannerisms. Luckily, Musa and his friends were chatty enough for me to explore their personalities more. Remember that viral internet trend that was going around—We listen and don’t judge? That’s what I did. Essentially, all I had to do was listen to the characters. They were already doing the heavy lifting. I just had to ask the right questions based on my observations from the first book and listen:
Combining this information with input from the editor and the way I usually craft my original characters (like Tameika, Xavier, and Kamal) helped me to honor the spirit of Our Favorite Day of the Year. I was able to write Musa and his friends from the simple act of listening, and that same act of listening is present in the story. In Our Favorite Day of the Week, Musa holds space for his classmates to express their range of emotions, from frustration to joy, and he does so without judgment. In fact, each classmate listens as their friends share which day of the week is their favorite and why. Even the quirkiest of days is listened to with respect and without judgment. So even when writer’s block rears its ugly head or I’m unsure of which direction to go, I now know that I won’t have to stay stuck long. All I have to do is listen to my characters. It’s my hope that readers enjoy listening to Musa and his friends as well. -- Ashley Franklin is the author of Not Quite Snow White; “Creative Fixes” from the anthology Once Upon an Eid; “Situationally Broke” from the anthology What We Didn’t Expect; Better Together, Cinderella; The Masjid Kamal Loves; and more. Ashley received her master’s degree in English literature from the University of Delaware. She is an adjunct college instructor and proud mom. Ashley currently resides in Arkansas with her family. 
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 KLiC: What was your inspiration for A House in My Barrio? PS: When I was 10 or 11 years old, there was a house near my school that I loved to visit. After school, I would open the gate to this tiny house, knowing that inside, I would be welcomed with warmth and greeted with open arms. This story is a tribute to those who are the heart of their barrio, serving their communities through simple acts of love. But it is also a call to action to care for those who once looked after us and who, because of illness or old age, can no longer care for themselves. Can we give back the same love they gave us? KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? PS: For me, the writing process starts with a childhood memory. Then I write a loose draft, and finally I begin building the structure. With A House in My Barrio, though, I struggled to find the right structure and to express the message in a way that felt true to the story. Then, one day, the shadow lifted, and I could clearly see the heart of the story once more. Writing the book took longer than I expected, a little more than a year! I had just sold How to Eat a Mango, and another manuscript wasn't selling at all. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to do it again! As a result, the writing process was somewhat painful: beautiful as a creative force, but as slow as fear could make it. In the end, though, everything worked out. While the writing took over a year, the submission process was incredibly fast. It took less than two days to receive an offer!  KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations by Olivia Sua in the book ? PS: The first spread is my favorite! I believe Olivia’s illustrations truly capture the feeling of infinite love, care, and kindness. Olivia Sua brings the text to life with rich colors and incredible detail. I’m grateful for her work, and I’m sure readers will be effortlessly transported into the story of Mamá Elena and Manuel.  KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? PS: That, despite what the news might show, we humans are capable of beautiful gestures and heroic acts, so I hope that when readers close the book, they will feel uplifted and inspired, knowing that building community and sharing love are in our own hands. KLiC: What’s next for you? PS: On June 1 of next year, my third picture book will be out in the world! Vida Dreams, illustrated by the incredibly talented and fellow Venezuelan Marianne Ferrer and published by Kids Can Press, is a story about the reasons behind immigration and the resilience that accompanies those decisions. It is a powerful story that I hope will touch the hearts of every reader.  Paola Santos is a children's book author born and raised in Venezuela. After moving to Canada, she found the courage to share the words and stories that had long been enclosed in her imagination. Her stories are now woven with her culture, experience in a new country, hope, happiness, and diversity. Paola holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in Literature and Children's Literature and Reading Promotion. She is the author of How to Eat a Mango / Cómo se come un mango (Neal Porter Books / Holiday House), 2024, and A House in My Barrio (Henry Holt / Macmillan), 2026. She lives in Edmonton.
 We are so excited to interview picture book author, Carren Jao on the blog today! Read more about her upcoming picture book, The Shape of Love, illustrated by Corinne Car. It releases on September 22nd. Kidlit in Color: What was your inspiration for your book? Carren Jao: I was inspired to write this book because of many childhood experiences receiving balikbayan boxes. Growing up, my sister and I would get a lot of these, and opening them seemed like such a joyful experience. It’s a little bit like opening the first few pages of an epic fantasy book. The items in the box felt like glimpses of another world, a different way of living. That feeling stayed with me even as I got older, and when it came time to draft stories balikbayan boxes were instantly something that pulled me. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? CJ: “The Shape of Love” is one of the first drafts that I had worked on. At the time, we were all in a pandemic and couldn’t leave the house. Writing for children seemed to me then a good fit for what I wanted to achieve: a venue for my creativity even when I couldn’t go out and interview people. The short text also gave me a way to work on it in bits and pieces in between taking care of two young kids and also working full time. I drafted many versions of this story and bumbled along the children’s writing process. I read a lot, most especially Ann Whitford Paul’s “Writing Picture Books” and attended a lot of webinars by Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Challenge. On and off, I started in June 2022 and kept on working on different versions of this story. I submitted a version (one of many!) to Lee & Low’s New Voices award and learned that I was considered for the top prize in December 2022. I was unagented at the time, so when I got the call, I really felt lucky to be considered. I was also thankful because it felt like it was a sign that I should keep writing and the people resonated with the stories I could write. KLiC: What's the only thing you want children to take away from your book? CJ: I want children to look for the signs of their parents’ love for them. Parents may not always verbally say “I love you,” but they show it in so many ways and through so many things. We are very physical creatures. Touch, feel, and physical proximity matter a lot, but sometimes even when a person is not there, objects and traditions help remind us of their love, even when we cannot see them in person. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? CJ: One of the best pieces of advice that I got was to sit down and think about why you're writing in the first place, and to really dig deep. Your answer will become your center. Even when times are dark and when writing seems hard, if you remember the reasons why you started writing in the first place, it will help motivate you to keep on going and keep on believing in yourself, your stories, and why they're important to share with the world. KLiC: What's next for you? CJ: I'm excited to say that I have another book coming out with Charlesbridge. It's part of their Steamworks series, which includes authors like Delia Ruiz, Songju Ma Deamicke, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Valerie Bolling, and Aya Khalil (!). So many wonderful illustrators as well like Neha Rawat, Sian James, and Wendy Wen. This next book combines coding and break dancing. It’ll be out next summer 2027. More details soon! -- Carren Jao is an award-winning Chinese Filipina storyteller. Her stories are like blankets that provide warmth and comfort for one, but can also be shared with many. Born and raised in the Philippines and a longtime Angeleno, she now calls greater Seattle home. She is deeply interested in finding the common threads between people of different cultures and amplifying the representation of Filipino and Chinese culture in children’s books. She lives with an all-star husband and two little ninjas. Find her online at carrenjao.com or Instagram @carrenjao. 
We are so excited to interview debut author Bayan Lahham who co-wrote the board book, A Party of Colors, with Kidlit in Color co-founder and author Aya Khalil! Read more about the upcoming board book, illustrated by Olivia Aserr below. Kidlit in Color: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? Bayan Lahham: My favorite illustration in this my book is the book where Baba and Salem cover their ears. It reminds me of my father when I was young and my husband now with my children. It embodies what a father looks like to me and that's a very special image in my head. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? BL: I want children to be excited to embrace the STEAM world. I hope that books like this help build that connection and love for learning at a young age and eventually grow to be creatives in their fields. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? Aya Khalil: I saw a call out to authors on Charlesbridge's social media looking for STEAM books for their upcoming STEAMWORKS collection, specifically for diverse authors. I thought it was such a cool idea. I reached out to one of my best friends, who is the only person I know that gets really excited about math and science. She thought it was a great idea and we actually wrote a picture book together about geometric patterns. It got rejected. Then one day, I was thinking how much my car needed a car wash and I texted Bayan about the idea right away. We met wrote and revised on a google doc for a few weeks and sent it in shortly before the deadline. To our delight it was acquired! Writing a book is often lonely, but having a good friend collaborate on this one and share exciting moments like seeing sketches for the first time and holding our arcs together has been an amazing experience! KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? AK: Read, read, read! Spend hours, days, weeks at the library. You can't just wake up one day and say you want to write a book. It's a long, difficult process and now it's even more competitive and challenging than ever. I recommend spending time working on your craft, networking, take classes, join a writing community and stay hopeful. -- Aya Khalil is an award-winning author, librarian, and freelance journalist. Her titles for children include The Night Before Eid, The Arabic Quilt, and The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale. Aya’s books have won numerous awards and honors including The Arab American Book Award and NCTE’s Charlotte Huck Award. You can follow her updates at www.ayakhalil.com Bayan Lahham is a math and science teacher. She has been a tutor and homeschooler over the years. Bayan grew up on the East Coast and currently resides in Ohio with her family. A Party of Colors is her debut.   We are so excited to interview author, Jasmine Fang, about her upcoming picture book, Beneath the Same Round Moon. Check out her interview below. Kidlit in Color: What was your inspiration for BENEATH THE SAME ROUND MOON? Jasmine Fang: I wrote this story during the pandemic, when my family was scattered across the world. My parents were in Taiwan, my sister was in Singapore, my grandfather had recently passed, and it was just me, my husband, and my baby bump in the SF Bay Area. That Mid-Autumn Festival, we celebrated by eating mooncakes and drinking tea, video-calling family. And despite the distance, I felt this quiet, powerful connection. That feeling became the heart of this story. I wanted children, especially those in families spread across cities, countries, or separated by loss, to know that the people they love are never truly far away. KLiC: What kind of research did you do for your book? JF: I grew up celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with my own family, so many of the traditions in the book like making mooncakes, lighting lanterns, gathering for a big dinner, came from my memory. But I also wanted the book to feel rich and specific beyond my own experience, so I did deeper research into the holiday's history, regional variations, and the many ways families celebrate it. I wanted the backmatter especially, the mooncake recipe and lantern craft, to feel child-friendly and usable. KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? JF: The mooncake-making scene where the main character Pearl holds the mooncake up to the moon! There's something so tender and timeless about three generations gathered in a kitchen, hands dusted with flour, pressing dough into molds. It's such a sensory memory for so many families, including mine. I was moved by how Rồng Phạm and Vinh Nguyễn brought that scene to life. They captured exactly what I hoped the book would feel- warm, unhurried, full of love. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? JF: That we're all connected and that they're never alone. Families come in all different shapes, some spread across cities, some separated by work or school, some missing someone they've lost. But love doesn't require the same roof or even the same time zone. It lives in the traditions we keep and the stories we tell. I wish every reader would look up at the moon and feel connected to the people who matter to them, wherever they are. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? JF: Write the story only you can tell. It sounds simple, but it's the hardest thing- trusting that your specific, personal experience is enough. This book came from one very particular night during the pandemic, from my memory. So find a community of fellow writers who will champion and challenge you, and keep going. This book came together quickly for me, but the time I spent learning the craft, writing other stories, and building my community made that possible. KLiC: What’s next for you? My next book OUR CHINATOWN MARKET comes out with Penguin Viking in Spring 2028. It’s about a community that comes together to save a Chinatown Market. -- Jasmine Fang is a Taiwanese American author who creates stories rooted in heart and wonder. Her books include Beneath the Same Round Moon (Beaming Books, September 2026) and Our Chinatown Market (Penguin Viking, Spring 2028). Before turning to children's books, Jasmine spent a decade working in international affairs, higher education, and leadership development, experiences that brought her to 30+ countries and shaped her belief that the best stories connect us across cultures. She holds a BA from UC Irvine and an MBA from Georgetown University. Jasmine lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, kids, and many tennis rackets. When she's not writing, you'll find her on a hiking trail, leading a fitness class, or chatting with friends over boba. Find her online at jasmineifang.com or on Instagram @jasmineifang.   We are thrilled to interview debut picture book author, Razan Abdin, about her upcoming picture book, Splendidly Sawsan, illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani. Read the interview below. Kidlit in Color: What was your inspiration for Splendidly Sawsan? Razan Abdin: My inspiration was my own experience navigating neurodivergence and big, "bursty" emotions as a child who didn’t necessarily have the vocabulary to talk about it. Telling this story felt important to me because I knew there were other neurodivergent children who have, over time, internalized the message that they’re bad or somehow deficient. I needed them to know that’s not true, but wanted to deliver that message in a character-driven story that hopefully delights readers of all ages. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? RA: I’m definitely a plotter as opposed to a panster. I created an outline, or story arc, but let Sawsan surprise me sometimes too. It took me roughly a year to write and revise this manuscript before sharing it with anyone. A couple of trusted readers offered feedback. Then, my agent and I submitted it to several editors and received rejection after rejection after rejection. When I finally heard back from an interested editor, it wasn’t an immediate yes. She offered a thoughtful Revise and Resubmit (or R & R). I took the editorial feedback and used it to shape my story into a stronger piece. I ultimately got a book deal after the revision process. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? RA: I know that being in the query trenches can feel wildly discouraging, but please remember it only takes that one singular yes to make your publishing dreams come true. So, keep putting yourself (and your precious work) out there. Your stories deserve to be heard! KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? RA: I want children to feel affirmed by this story. To know that they’re splendid just as they are. KLiC: What’s next for you? RA: I’d love to be able to continue publishing picture books and I know that will be easier to do if Splendidly Sawsan is well-received by the market. Fingers crossed! I’m actively revising another picture book manuscript–-the story that landed me an agent, but hasn’t sold (yet!). I’m also in the plotting phase of another project. Something I originally wrote as a middle grade novel and am now reimagining into a young adult novel. Stay tuned! -- Bio: Razan Abdin (she/her) is a Palestinian writer who grew up in the American South and spent many summers in her ancestral homeland. She has been scribbling down stories since elementary school. When Razan isn’t busy arranging words on a page, she can be found exploring places near and far, filling her life with art (in all its forms), or daydreaming about a better world where everyone has what they need to thrive. She currently lives in Little Rock, Arkansas―on the traditional land of the Caddo, Osage, and Quapaw people―with her wild, wonderful standard poodle, Margot. Splendidly Sawsan is her debut book. Website: www.razanabdin.com   KLiC: What was your inspiration for Do You See Me? RGM: It sparked from observing my son and his school mates. Seeing how kids want to know that you notice them, what they are doing - do you see me? especially something they are excited about. I thought how their perspective of do you see me? is about being noticed and their parents or adults in their life sees more, something deeper - beyond the immediate, momentary thing. I thought that juxtaposition was an interesting concept, ultimately leading to the child’s reflection on the words spoken to them and expressing their new view of themselves. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? RGM: From idea to publication was about nine years. A couple of months ago, I looked back through old files and saw that I logged the idea in early 2017. I also found the initial, incomplete draft from May 2017. At that time, for one reason or another, I set it aside. Then in late 2019 there was a lot of public discourse about black girls and black women in terms of invisibility. That discussion brought me back to this manuscript. Although the desire to be seen is universal - and how the manuscript started, it was this specific conversation that reignited the spark and path to completing a submittable manuscript. It went on submission at some point in 2020, I received feedback from an editor that liked the concept, provided feedback, and was open to a rewrite and resubmit. I sat with the feedback but ultimately, I realized they didn’t fully connect with my intent for the manuscript. It would have been a completely different book. Then in early 2021 my former agent informed me that an editor at Roaring Brook Press was interested in the manuscript and wanted to talk to me about some points for revision and their vision for Do You See Me?. We had a great conversation - she got it! Within a couple of weeks, I received an acquisition offer.  KLiC:What are your favorite illustrations in the book? RGM: I love Reggie Brown's vision for the book, the blustery beach day setting. Some favorite illustrations include a scene where water splashes through rocks/boulders as the characters navigate the terrain with varying expressions - delight, caution and curiosity. The tender moment between mom and daughter sitting, looking out at the ocean as the mom asked the important reflective question. And I’m really drawn to the spread about facing fear. The way Reggie positioned the girl on that tree trunk, the expression on her face - it really pulls me in. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? RGM: I want children to know their value and understand what it truly means to be seen. KLiC: What’s next for you? RGM: I’m actively seeking new representation, looking at some manuscripts with fresh eyes for revision opportunities and working on completing a picture book dummy.  LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss is the author of I Love Me! (Beaming Books, 2020) and Do You See Me? (Roaring Brook Press, 2026). She also illustrated Meet Freida Amenze Friday by Doris Imahiyerobo-Umoinyang (Clear Fork Publishing 2025). LaRonda discovered writing by way of motherhood. Her son’s love of story time immersed her in the wonderful world of picture books. Enjoying books with various themes and approaches to storytelling, from the quirky to the quiet, eventually inspired her to begin writing stories of her own. She hopes to someday both author and illustrate her own books. Books that will entertain, enlighten and empower children across the globe. She lives in North Carolina.
 KLiC: What was your inspiration for PECOSITA? AKN: I've had a tough relationship with my freckles my entire life. My editor and publisher, Denene Millner, always admired them and eventually convinced me that there should be a children's book celebrating freckles--and celebrating your differences. I think I *just* fell in love with my freckles while writing the book! KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? AKN: This one was very different. I usually write books for adults. My first children's book, Keep Your Head Up, was published a few years ago, and it was an amazing process; the words poured out. Pecosita was much harder. It took me a while to get into the mind of a young girl who was gutsy and spunky and loved her freckles. I put it down several times, frustrated. My husband Shane, also a writer, asked if he could take a crack at it, and he just understood Pecosita right away. We then worked on it together, and that was new too. I've never co-written anything before.  KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Pecosita? AKN : I just looked in the mirror! Also, Pecosita's images are based on my daughter, Mazy. And, we live in a world now where freckles are very trendy, so I kept an eye on the beauty world. There are freckle pens out there now! KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? AKN: The cover is my very favorite because it's based on a photo of my daughter. We sent lots of family photos to our illustrator, Eric Velasquez. But when I saw the book, I gasped when I saw myself in there--like a real image of me! SO amazing. KLiC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book? AKN: The things that make you different are the very things you can celebrate! It's okay to feel your feelings about anything. But look in that mirror and see YOURself not anyone's perception of you. Keep a journal. At the top, everyday, write: I love myself because __________. And fill it in. And if you have access to music, make a playlist that makes you happy and listen to it! KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? AKN: Always be ready to tell an editor or a publisher what your book is about very briefly. For this book, it was simple. Imagine the famous book "Freckle Juice" but for little girls who already have freckles and love them. KLiC: What's next for you? AKN: My next book for adults: Model Behavior is out next summer from Amistad/HarperCollins. Shane's work can be seen on his YouTube channel (@shanepaulneil), and his next essay will appear in the book Darling Nikki, a collection of tributes to Nikki Giovanni.  Aliya King Neil is an award-winning journalist and the author and coauthor of books for teens and adults. Her work has appeared in Vibe, Giant, Uptown, Essence, King, Ms., Us Weekly, and Teen People, among others. Her picture books include Keep Your Head Up and Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face. Visit her at AliyaSKing.com. Photo Credit: Shane Paul Neil  Shane Paul Neil is a writer, journalist, and photographer. His words and images have appeared in several publications including Gothamist, NPR, NBC News, and Ebony. Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face is his first book. From the Bronx, Shane now resides in New Jersey with his wife, Aliya King Neil. Follow him at @ShanePaulNeil across all social media platforms.
Photo Credit: Shane Paul Neil  Photo by Briah Christia We are so excited to have DeAndra Davis on our blog today with an exclusive guest essay! Read more below: Should I Stay or Should I Go? College Pathways and Indecision in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me By: DeAndra Davis Deciding what to do once high school is over is one of the biggest decisions a young adult can make. There are many pathways but a common one is college but within that college decision lies a larger conversation and a huge question: do I stay close to home or spread my wings and leave? Now, there are clearly different reasons why anyone may make either decision and in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me, Jaliya struggles with this very decision. She begins the book feeling insecure and unsure that she’s ready to be out on her own. Her initial decision is to stay at a college close enough that if anything goes wrong, her father—her family—is right there to save her. I was similar coming out of high school. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to leave and felt unprepared—a lot of this was exacerbated by the fact that I had skipped a grade and was younger than others and only freshly 17 when I graduated and when college started. I also wasn’t technically beginning as a freshman due to the amount of credits I had amassed through dual enrollment and AP courses. The thing is, I was less brave than Jaliya. I didn’t just stay close to home at first, I stayed home totally—opting for community college, but later transferred and crossed the country to complete my undergraduate degree in North Dakota in my third year. So I’ve seen both sides, let’s talk about the pros and cons of each! Staying Close to Home - Pros Your Family is Close By For those who have familial support, one of the benefits of staying close to home in any capacity is that your family is close by. If you are very attached to where you live as well, this means you’ll never be homesick. Having family close by is great if you need help, if you want to live at home instead of on campus, and if you worry about a reliable support system. It Is Typically Cheaper Staying in-state is typically cheaper as well since many colleges charge non-resident tuition and fees. Staying close to home means you can stay home, if you’re close enough, or save money on extra fees at the least. Oftentimes the cost of college can be prohibitive to many people so staying close can make it more realistic and there’s no shame in that. Doing what I did, which is starting at a community college for general education courses, can save even more money since community colleges are even cheaper. So splitting the time and going to a larger college after can financially make college a reality where it may not have been before. You May Know More People At College There’s the possibility that other people are staying close as well, so if you stay home, you may have friends from high school and people you know in your courses. This can feel comfortable and familiar and make the ease of transition into college easier when everything isn’t brand new all at once. Keeping your friend group or some semblance of it can ease a lot of stress in an already wild transitional time of life. Staying Close to Home - Cons Your Options May Be Limited Staying close, especially depending how close you want to stay can limit your options. If you’re staying in-state but are willing to go a few hours away, then you may have more opportunities but within reasonable distance to where I was after college was one public four-year university and one community college. There was also a private university, but the cost was too high. Limiting school options also limits your fields of study if they don’t have your particular interests or strengths at the schools nearby. This can make things very restrictive. You May Not Gain As Much Independence Having family close by also means you won’t have to rely on yourself as much. Graduating high school and entering college is an interesting time where you get to practice adulthood while still having help. If you’re still living at home or aren’t too far away, you may lack getting that experience of having to live with new people, figure out some things for yourself, and not turn to your support system for every answer. You May Miss Out On Unique Experiences Larger colleges can also have experiences you can’t get at community colleges or maybe even at a home college. Living far away or in a new state is also a unique experience and a chance to maybe reside in a state you’ve never visited before. If you’re home, you’re exploring the same areas you’ve always known and having experiences you’ve always had, so it may lack the novelty that leaving home can bring and the growth that novelty adds to your life. Leaving Home - Pros Amazing Experiences With new places come new experiences. Experiences like having a dormmate or roommate. Sororities and fraternities. Student associations and groups. The exploration of new places. There is a lot that can be gained from leaving home—many of it tied to simply being around people you’ve never met in a place you don’t know well. Homecoming games and week with traditions specific to that school. A whole culture tied to the university that you get to learn and take part in. Start building those neural pathways with all the fun things you can’t do at home. Increased Independence and Freedom The best thing about doing all those new things? Not as much oversight as if you’re at home. This is good and bad because there’s no one to wake you up on time, no one to ask if you did your homework, no one checking to see what time you came in last night. You have to manage yourself and your responsibilities but that’s as much a con as it is a pro because if you’re practicing for adulthood, that’s all it is. You’re getting a crash course and building those skills for after graduation. Getting everything done the right way is on you but it gives you necessary life skills that you’ll need. And who wants to stumble in after a hangout and come face-to-face with their guardian? Am I right? Everyone’s dad isn’t seeing them off to parties like Jaliya’s in my book. And if you come from a very restrictive family where you haven’t gotten to be your full and complete self. Well, there’s your chance. More Options Clearly, leaving home means you have more options. A whole country of colleges to explore and consider. A plethora of universities at your disposal and cities to go to. Not being location-restricted gives you a lot of leeway in where you go and what you do and that’s a huge boon. Even if you don’t want to spend the rest of your life there, pick that school in Washington and take a day trip to Forks because you love Twilight. Choose that school in Arizona to experience desert weather and the beauty of Lake Havasu. Pick the school in New York City and experience the vibrancy of the city and the fast-paced living. Leaving Home - Cons It Can (Potentially) Be Expensive Leaving home in any capacity is expensive. There’s the cost of tuition, cost of living, the moving itself. It can be a lot. Now, there are some schools that don’t have exorbitant out-of-state fees and of course scholarships and financial aid exists for those who can get them, but cost is, again, a major factor of what keeps many away from higher education already so it goes without saying that cost matters and for many. It Can Be Scary And of course leaving home is terrifying. You’re on your own and even if you can get help and have a good sup[port system, nobody is around the corner to save you or pick you up when you fall. You may be scared you aren't ready or that you’re not good enough to do well on your own. That’s frightening but also can be invigorating and a chance to build a new support system of people wherever you go. Open your network. Spread those wings. Create a found family—like Jaliya in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me. Verdict So is there a right answer? No. There’s only the right answer for you. Maybe you’re like Jaliya and wanting to get into that specific school—the one that feels worth it to leave home for. Maybe you’re like me, worried you’ll fall on your face and needing just an extra year or two to get ready before striking out. No matter what, your life is changing. And even if you don’t believe it, you’re ready to meet those changes head on. You’re ready to tackle the way the world looks for you now in whatever way you’re most comfortable. You’re ready to take things on, even when you don’t feel it. And the best part? No matter what you choose. You get to change your mind. Leave and come back. Stay and then go. But don’t let fear of falling hold you down. Because after a fall, all you can do is rise. -- A born New Yorker and a first-generation Jamaican-American, DeAndra Davis, an award-winning, autistic, and neurodivergent author of young adult, middle grade, and adult novels, was raised in South Florida. DeAndra is a graduate of Florida International University where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction. A reader since the age of 3, DeAndra’s finest memories are inside book stores and libraries with her mother where she devoured books well above her age range very early on. From Junie B. Jones to Eragon, DeAndra’s tastes varied wildly and she never stopped reading. Then, inspired by the characters she loved, she also never stopped writing. Now, a neurodivergent wife and mother of neurodivergent children, an advocate and survivor of mental health struggles, and a passionate creative writing professor, DeAndra writes the worlds that she lives, that she dreams of, and that she wants to tear down. Though Brooklyn runs in her veins, Florida and Jamaica have her heart. You can find her rapping Glorilla as quickly as you’ll find her singing Beres Hammond. She loves raging about everything from Game of Thrones to Attack on Titan with her husband, children, their goldendoodle named Luna, and English Mastiff named Zeke.   Many years ago, I was researching Black New Yorkers in the 19th century and stumbled upon a line about the Colored Orphan Asylum. I had never heard of the institution before and was stunned to learn that rioters intentionally targeted the orphanage during the Civil War Draft Riots. I had to learn more. The Colored Orphan Asylum (COA) was the first of its kind for Black children in New York. Before then, orphaned Black children lived on the streets or in asylum institutions for adults in unsafe environments. Quaker women saw the need for an orphanage for Black children and opened the asylum in 1836. The children quickly outgrew that first noble building, and the founders acquired land to have a larger building constructed. This is the setting of my book, The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace. Florence spends a year at the orphanage living, learning, growing, and nurturing a dream within her. But all that changes with the Civil War draft lottery. The lottery took place on July 11, 1863, in New York City. Many Irish immigrants were upset at being drafted to fight a war for enslaved Black people. Rich men could pay a surrogate $300 to take their place in the draft, but no such luck for poor men. For months the press had fueled this anger and rage. The newspapers published outlandish stories of every freed slave making the journey north to steal Irish and other immigrant jobs. This was untrue and akin to the fake news that is spread today. This bubbling tension erupted on the second day of the draft, with men, women, and even children taking to the streets to riot.  They targeted the orphanage, believing that no Black person, including Black children, deserved to live on 5th Avenue. This wasn’t the luxurious 5th Avenue of today, yet the rioters didn’t believe Black orphaned children even deserved the basics of shelter, food, and clothing. Imagine feeling that way toward anyone, but especially children. This story has been in my head and heart for many, many years, and I am grateful it is finally out in the world. With America’s 250th birthday fast approaching, I hope readers discover this little known piece of history and delve even deeper into our collective and complex American history.  Kirstie Myvett is the author of several books for children. Kirstie is the co-founder of KidLit in Color, a blog that amplifies BIPOC and indigenous voices in the publishing industry. Kirstie believes that representation matters in all places and spaces, especially in the pages of books. When Kirstie isn't writing, she's spending time with her family in the unique city of New Orleans.
To learn more visit: https://www.kirstiemyvett.com/ |
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