Linda Sue Park

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About Linda Sue Park
Linda Sue Park is the author of the Newbery Medal book A Single Shard, many other novels, several picture books, and most recently a book of poetry: Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems). She lives in Rochester, New York, with her family, and is now a devoted fan of the New York Mets. For more infromation visit www.lspark.com.
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Blog postAt the Rochester Children's Book Festival, some of the many volunteers run the Busy Bookworm activity center, with book-centered arts and crafts for young readers. This year, there was a simple-but-GENIUS craft project to go with XANDER'S PANDA PARTY: an awesome paper-plate hand puppet!
Sarah Mead, with book and puppet. Sarah not only helps with the activities but also does the Festival's website.
I am the proud owner of one such puppet. Every home should have one (alon9 years ago Read more -
Blog postNovember: The Rochester Children's Book Festival. Captained by Sibby Falk and Kathleen Blasi, with help from scores of volunteers, this event gets better every year. I get to meet hundreds of readers, and hang out with the authors & illustrators.
At the Festival, signing books with the help of a special visitor:
(photo credit: Stephanie Dobbin)
Susan Beckhorn Williams and Paul Zelinsky.
Bruce Coville & Jane Yolen starred (as agent &9 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhat a trip!
Thursday, Nov. 7
--Flew to LA (via IAD, airline geography again…). Did a little writing on the plane (good girl). Packed my own lunch (survival tactic for long flights): wild rice-lentil-quinoa salad with walnuts & dried cranberries; edamame; an apple. Excellent.
Decided to have the full LA experience and rented a car at the airport.
Drove to Sunset Strip for dinner at NIGHT+MARKET, Thai street food. (Thanks to cousin Randy for9 years ago Read more -
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Blog postLate September: SCBWI Rocky Mountain region annual conference. Keynote, breakout, and workshop intensive. A lot of work, but also a lot of fun! Many thanks to RAs Todd Tuell and Denise Vega and all attendees for a great weekend.
October: East Baton Rouge Parish Library Author-Illustrator Program. A terrific two days thanks to Children's Services director Pabby Arnold and the rest of the staff. An enthusiastic and supportive audience. And as if that weren't good enough, the folks in9 years ago Read more -
Blog postYou're all invited to XANDER'S PANDA PARTY! (Official publication date Sept. 3, 2013.) I can't wait for folks to read it because of the WONDERFUL illustrations by Matt Phelan.
The fun begins with the book trailer, thanks to the folks at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t3Ta3J-TFs
MORE FUN: Lovely reviews for the book!
*"Phelan takes Park's jaunty story about a panda with a complicated social life and develops it9 years ago Read more -
Blog postCallan Reeves Dobbin is home today.
Clever lad: He decided to make the joy of a first grandchild's homecoming even greater by giving us a little scare at the start. Callan was born at 12:01am on August 11, 8lbs, 7oz. On emerging into our world, he had some trouble breathing, so he spent his first days in the neonatal intensive care unit...getting a little stronger every day, until at last his parents were allowed to take him home this morning!
'Look, Ma, pacifier AND na9 years ago Read more -
Blog postI'm delighted to report that my new picture book, XANDER'S PANDA PARTY, illustrated by Matt Phelan, has received three starred reviews!
From Publishers Weekly:
*"Phelan takes Park's jaunty story about a panda with a complicated social life and develops it still further. In ink-and-watercolor vignettes, he animates the many zoo creatures Xander considers inviting to his party, capturing their expressions and interacts with a few quick pen strokes...."
9 years ago Read more -
Blog postIn the print edition of today's New York Times, A LONG WALK TO WATER is #4 on the middle-grade bestseller list. This would be thrilling in any case, but it's even more special because the book, about a Sudanese 'Lost Boy' refugee, was first published in 2010. It's unusual for a book to make it onto the list for the first time three years after publication.
How did it happen? Because of teachers, librarians, students and schools all over the country, and even internationally. From cl9 years ago Read more -
Blog postIn Alaska, I got to meet a whole bunch of readers and writers. I have the best job in the world. :-)
July 2, Seward Community Museum and Library. Librarian Rachel James hosted young readers and their families with snacks and drinks. I talked about books and reading and writing and A LONG WALK TO WATER, then did a signing. A great way to kick off my Alaska events! The Seward Phoenix Log covered the gathering: http://www.thesewardphoenixlog.com/story/2013/07/11/education/author-illust9 years ago Read more -
Blog postAlaska journal
I traveled to Alaska with Hub and Dot. The first week was mostly vacation, followed by presentations for the Anchorage Public Library system.
Monday, July 1: Flew into Anchorage around 8:00pm—midnight in New York. Still full daylight. Body very confused.
Drove to the hotel, had dinner at a nearby bar & grill (not very good, alas). Came out around 10:30, still full daylight, young kids riding their bikes in the streets!
Hotels9 years ago Read more -
Blog postEvents in July--in Alaska! :-)
My schedule includes programs for readers of all ages, as well as a writing workshop through SCBWI (also open to non-members).
Tuesday, July 2: Seward Community Library
7:00pm
http://sewardcitynews.com/2013/06/author-program-for-youth-seward-community-library-museum/
Monday, July 8: SCBWI-Alaska, Anchorage
6:00-9:00pm "Becoming our own best editor"
More info here: http://49writingcenter.org/In9 years ago Read more -
Blog postWith Lindy Lorenz and Katie Sullivan at the Judson University Literacy in Motion conference. Lindy and Katie gave a presentation on how to use my books in the classroom. It was an AWESOME session--I was so impressed by all the work they do to connect their students to books! Made me wish I was their student... ;-)
Lunch yesterday with a very special visitor:
Salva Dut, back from South Sudan for a visit! Salva is the subject of my book A LONG WALK TO WATER. It was wonder9 years ago Read more -
Blog postI have two grand-dogs. They belong to my son and daughter-in-law, and several days a week, they come to my house during the day to hang out. Their names are Malcolm and Matilda; they're half-sibling golden doodles (from http://lakeviewdoodles.com/ ).
Matilda is what's known as a guardian dog; she returns to the breeder when it's time to have puppies. She just had her first litter--three puppies! I guess they're my great-grandpuppies?
Tilda, counting to make sure everyon9 years ago Read more -
Blog postLiteracy in Motion, literally: Today's sessions opened with a hiphop routine, complete with rapper!
(This is not live blogging. This is very slightly tape-delayed blogging.)
Dr. Steven Layne, conference director, who invited me to speak here.
Author/illustrator Chris Soentpiet presenting about his many wonderful books.
There's a great vibe at this conference--everyone seems to be thoroughly engaged and also having fun. Later today, one lucky at9 years ago Read more -
Blog postMy cousin Ed Lee has a new book out! (And yes, he's really truly my first cousin: His mom (hi Auntie Soon Ja!) and my dad are sibs. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy: food with Southern and Korean roots!? YUM!
Ed's restaurant, 610magnolia.com/ is in Louisville, Kentucky. These days he's on a book tour, which last night took him to North Carolina. My lucky parents, brother, and nephew got to eat dishes from Ed's book, and visit with the author himself!
(Ten years a9 years ago Read more -
Blog postFor the past two years or so, I've been humbled and honored by the many schools that have chosen to read A LONG WALK TO WATER.
The students' response to the story of Salva Dut, one of the so-called 'Lost Boys' of Sudan, has exceeded all my expectations. I'd hoped young readers would learn a tiny bit about a little-known part of the world. They've gone far beyond that: They've come to admire Salva, and to turn inspiration into action.
Here's just one of many examples--a9 years ago Read more -
Blog postLast week I was in the Philadelphia area, for a wonderful visit to Elkins Park School. Here's what the sixth grade does each year:
--selects and reads a book, beginning in January. In this case, A SINGLE SHARD.
--writes song lyrics based on scenes in the book, with help from the Living Bookshelf team of Connie Koppe and Bunny Feingold.
--works with a composer (Chuck Holdeman) to set the lyrics to music.
--designs and paints appropriate backdrops, with the help of a9 years ago Read more -
Blog postPresenting at Colegio Roosevelt. (photo credit: Tina Raventos)
Author Julia Durango has a session with the pre-K students.
Heading out on the trail. My horse was Rayo, with Julia riding Hurricane. Tour by www.cuscoforyou.com; our guide Adriana was terrific.
We rode a winding mountain trail to the dramatic salt pools, where salt has been harvested by families since pre-Inca times.
With Bryan and Gabriel, our hosts at the Green House B&B. And9 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, May 15-19
We took a flight from Lima to Cusco, then a taxi to Huaran, a tiny hamlet in the Sacred Valley. Our accommodations were at the Green House, the best B&B I have ever stayed in. http://www.thegreenhouseperu.com Hosts Bryan (from Liverpool) and Gabriel (Buenos Aires) are funny, friendly, and gracious. Just one of many examples of their helpfulness: For our day trip to Machu Picchu, we had to catch a very early train. No time for breakfa9 years ago Read more -
Blog postHome after a wonderful trip. Extra special thanks to author Julia Durango, who traveled with me: Julia speaks fluent Spanish, and if it hadn't been for her, I'd *still* be in the wrong taxi.... Many of the photos below were taken by her (JD).
May 11-14, in Lima:
At Huanca Pucllana archeological site. (JD)
In the Pueblo Libre neighborhood at the Museo Larco: saying hello to the resident Peruvian hairless dog amid lush display of bougainvillea. (JD)
9 years ago Read more -
Blog postOn Tuesday I finished a two-day visit at Colegio Roosevelt, the American international school in Lima. Librarian John Kurtenbach arranged a great schedule for myself and author Julia Durango, who's traveling with me. Julia saw the pre-K/K classes and did a joint presentation with me to grades 1-2. I saw grades 3-8. Attentive and enthusiastic audiences. A special shout-out to the Grade 6 group (which included a couple classes of 7th graders), all of whom read A LONG WALK TO WATER--they were my f9 years ago Read more
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Blog postFrom Chicago and elsewhere.
Friends Grace and Iris who, with my longtime college pal Steve, shared a great meal with me at Frontera Grill in Chicago.
Art Institute of Chicago Picasso exhibit: 'Mother and Child', with lost-and-found Dad.
The guy could *draw*...
Always gotta check out the Korean celadon.
Latest knitting project. Knitters out there will know what I'm talking about: the triumph of finding...
...the Perfect9 years ago Read more -
Blog post24+ brilliant hours in Chicago.
Thursday evening: Met dear friends Steve, Iris and Grace for dinner at Frontera Grill. Food all really good, the mushroom tamales GREAT.
Friday morning: Steve and Iris took me to the Art Institute to see the Picasso exhibit. Arranged more or less chronologically, a wonderful overview of Picasso's career. Enjoyed it immensely. Favorite part: the "Mother and Child" painting and the story behind its excised third figure. (Least fav9 years ago Read more -
Blog postIf my days were rated on a scale of 1-10, yesterday was a 17.
I woke in New Haven, CT, at The Study hotel, quite a nice place. (Sleek nice as opposed to cozy nice.) The Study’s ‘theme’ is books. They partnered with The Strand bookstore in Manhattan to come up with a list of 100 titles everyone should read. At The Study, you can buy any of the books on the list—or the entire set of 100. I asked the desk clerk if he’d ever sold anyone the complete set. He looked surprised and answere9 years ago Read more -
Blog postMy four favorite Konigsburg titles, in no particular order:
FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER.
--The *plausible* adventure story. A HUGE influence on my work. Even when writing my titles for The 39 Clues series, I wanted to Dan and Amy's escapades to be plausible (which is not the same as realistic), within the realm of true possibility for two kids traveling with an au pair. MIXED-UP FILES taught me that.
A PROUD TASTE FOR SCARLET AND M9 years ago Read more
Titles By Linda Sue Park
Cherished by millions of readers, this #1 New York Times bestselling novel is a powerful tale of perseverance and hope. Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park interweaves the stories of two Sudanese children who overcome mortal dangers to improve their lives and the lives of others.
A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the “lost boys” of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay.
Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way. Includes an afterword by author Linda Sue Park and the real-life Salva Dut, on whom the novel is based, and who went on to found Water for South Sudan.
The Newbery Medal-winning tale of an orphan boy whose dream of becoming a master potter leads to unforeseen adventure in ancient Korea.
Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean village renowned for its ceramics. When he accidentally breaks a delicate piece of pottery, he volunteers to work to pay for the damage. Putting aside his own dreams, Tree-ear resolves to serve the master potter by embarking on a difficult and dangerous journey, little knowing that it will change his life forever.
"Despite the odds against him, Tree-ear becomes courageous, brave and selfless, a hero as enduring as the porcelain Park so lovingly describes." (New York Times)
“Intrigues, danger, and a strong focus on doing what is right turn a simple story into a compelling read. A timeless jewel.” (Kirkus starred review)
*A broken piece of pottery sets events in motion as an orphan struggles to pay off his debt to a master potter. This finely crafted novel brings 12th-century Korea and these indelible characters to life." (School Library Journal starred review)
"Tree-ear's determination and bravery in pursuing his dream of becoming a potter takes readers on a literary journey that demonstrates how courage, honor and perseverance can overcome great odds and bring great happiness. Park effectively conveys 12th century Korea in this masterful piece of historical fiction." (Kathleen Odean, chair of the Newbery Award Selection Committee)
If you were one of King Henry VIII's six wives, who would you be? Would you be Anne Boleyn, who literally lost her head? Would you be the subject of rumor and scandal like Catherine Howard? Or would you get away and survive like Anna of Cleves?
Meet them and Henry's other queens--each bound for divorce or death--in this epic and thrilling novel that reads like fantasy but really happened. Watch spellbound as each of these women attempts to survive their unpredictable king as he grows more and more obsessed with producing a male heir. And discover how the power-hungry court fanned the flames of Henry's passions . . . and his most horrible impulses.
Whether you're a huge fan of all things Tudor or new to this jaw-dropping saga, you won't be able to get the unique voices of Henry and his wives--all brought to life by seven award-winning and bestselling authors--out of your head.
This is an intimate look at the royals during one of the most treacherous times in history. Who will you root for and who will you love to hate?
ONE OF THE NYPL TOP TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
"Ambitious and exciting." --Bustle
"A clever, feminist reimagining of one of English history's most fascinating moments." --Refinery29
"These stories of love, lust, power and intrigue never fail to fascinate." --Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
Who's Who:
M. T. Anderson - Henry VIII
Candace Fleming - Katharine of Aragon, wife #1
Stephanie Hemphill - Anne Boleyn, wife #2
Lisa Ann Sandell - Jane Seymour, wife #3
Jennifer Donnelly - Anna of Cleves, wife #4
Linda Sue Park - Catherine Howard, wife #5
Deborah Hopkinson - Kateryn Parr, wife #6
"This powerful and riveting tale of one close-knit, proud Korean family movingly addresses life-and-death issues of courage and collaboration, injustice, and death-defying determination in the face of totalitarian oppression." (Kirkus starred review)
Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them—even their names—are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden.
When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the greatest shock of all comes when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war.
This moving historical novel is from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, whose beloved middle grade books include A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water.
In this contemporary novel, Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park delivers a funny, lively story that illuminates both the process of writing a novel and the meaning of growing up American.
"A rich work that treats serious issues with warmth, respect, and a good deal of humor" (Kirkus starred review). Perfect for both independent reading and classroom sharing.
Julia Song and her friend Patrick would love to win a blue ribbon, maybe even two, at the state fair. They’ve always done projects together, and they work well as a team. This time, though, they’re having trouble coming up with just the right project. Then Julia’s mother offers a suggestion: They can raise silkworms, as she did when she was a girl in Korea.
Patrick thinks it’s a great idea. Of course there are obstacles—for example, where will they get mulberry leaves, the only thing silkworms eat?—but nothing they can’t handle.
Julia isn’t so sure. The club where kids do their projects is all about traditional American stuff, and raising silkworms just doesn’t fit in. Moreover, the author, Ms. Park, seems determined to make Julia’s life as complicated as possible, no matter how hard Julia tries to talk her out of it.
If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save? Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park explores different answers to this provocative question in linked poems that capture the diverse voices of a middle school class. Recipient of four starred reviews!
"[Park's] message is powerful: We don’t need a great blazing tragedy to determine what we hold most precious in our lives; we can define what’s vital through our thoughts and memories, always at hand, in our heads and hearts—safe, where the flames don’t reach."—New York Times Book Review
When a teacher asks her class what one thing they would save in an emergency, some students know the answer right away. Others come to their decisions more slowly. And some change their minds when they hear their classmates’ responses. A lively dialog ignites as the students discover unexpected facets of one another—and themselves.
With her ear for authentic dialog and knowledge of kids’ priorities and emotions, Linda Sue Park brings the varied voices of an inclusive classroom to life through carefully honed, engaging, and instantly accessible verse. Elegantly illustrated with black-and-white by Robert Sae-Heng art throughout.
From Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park, this is a captivating fantasy-adventure about a boy, a bat, and an amazing transformation. The first book in an enchanting trilogy, Forest of Wonders richly explores the links between magic and botany, family and duty, environment and home.
Raffa Santana has always loved the mysterious Forest of Wonders. For a gifted young apothecary like him, every leaf could unleash a kind of magic.
When an injured bat crashes into his life, Raffa invents a cure from a rare crimson vine that he finds deep in the Forest. His remedy saves the animal but also transforms it into something much more than an ordinary bat, with far-reaching consequences.
Raffa’s experiments lead him away from home to the forbidding city of Gilden, where troubling discoveries make him question whether exciting botanical inventions—including his own—might actually threaten the very creatures of the Forest he wants to protect.
In a riveting narrative set in fifteenth-century Korea, two brothers discover a shared passion for kites. Kee-sup can craft a kite unequaled in strength and beauty, but his younger brother, Young-sup, can fly a kite as if he controlled the wind itself. Their combined skills attract the notice of Korea's young king, who chooses Young-sup to fly the royal kite in the New Year kite-flying competition--an honor that is also an awesome responsibility. Although tradition decrees, and the boys' father insists, that the older brother represent the family, both brothers know that this time the family's honor is best left in Young-sup's hands. This touching and suspenseful story, filled with the authentic detail and flavor of traditional Korean kite fighting, brings a remarkable setting vividly to life. AUTHOR'S NOTE.
* “Will intrigue and amuse readers.” —KLIATT, starred review
“Excellent.” —Kirkus Reviews
Twelve-year-old Kevin Kim is shocked when a young man, complete with bow and arrows, crash-lands on his bedroom floor—especially when that man, Skillful Archer, claims to be a legendary ruler from ancient Korea. As much as Kevin enjoys teaching Archie about contemporary life and learning about Korean history from Archie’s stories, Kevin needs to help Archie get back home—or history will be changed forever.
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