Yet more of our friends locations across the WWW! (Quite a diverse bunch, we think)

They say that there is a glass ceiling for me because (as Michael Moore would put it) I am not a stupid white man. Another they says I should temper my passions and desires, my dreams and ambitions because I am not a brown be-turbaned man. Some Theys say that I should fight my oppression, that I should rout it and defy it. Some say I face no oppression, that I should be happy that I am blessed and should accept my fortunate and happy lot. If you are not with us, they say, you are with the others, and they are wrong.

Spirit21 is a space to bring colour to this monochromatic world. I don’t believe that black or white are the only options. Why not pinks, blues, yellows or browns? I am not us, nor am I Other.

I am me.

The Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) exists to promote the interests of emerging writers – to improve their opportunities for professional development and their engagement with the broader public.

The Festival mixes emerging literary professionals with more established writers to forge a better understanding between the past and future of Australian writing, and to bring a high level of intellectual endeavour to all the Festival’s activities.

Princes in Disguise

Recently, over at All About Romance, a thread started up about happier endings and tragic ones, and the discussion digressed, as it sometimes will do, to a lively debate about Jo in the book Little Women -- specifically, whether Jo's choosing Professor Bhaer over the younger, more passionate Laurie was really a true happy ending. I argued it was. And not only because he was played in the movie by Gabriel Byrne, so that now I imagine him looking like this..
...because let's face it, Laurie was not such a bad-looking guy in the film, either.
No, it's because the professor is one of those heroes I love best: a prince in disguise.
Samar Yazbek’s new book ‘In her mirrors’

[26 Sep 2010 | No Comment | 4 views]

Samar Yazbek, author of ‘Clay’ and ‘Cinnamon’, has very recently published ‘In her mirrors’, that RAYA agency also represents for world translation rights.

Read the full story »

Hopefully, this will give you a flavour of the diversity we so enjoy on this blog!

the arabophile

Which all goes to say that, for me, the Arabic language is oceanic in nature and can absorb anything into its vast genetic pool… I think the time has finally come to treat Arabic as a great reservoir, a live magnet that can absorb foreign influences today as easily as it did in the past. – Sargon Boulus

Perusing the papers

There was plenty of news papery bits last week (and weekend) – includingAndrea Byrne’s article on the rise and rise of the Children’s Book Festival -

We’re delighted to be showcasing such a strong contingent of Irish authors and illustrators in this October’s programme, including both new names and familiar faces. In such a challenging year, it is also incredibly positive that we are able to maintain the festival as a truly national event. It really is testimony to the creativity, talent and enthusiasm to be found around Irish children’s literature at the moment, from the artists and publishers who produce the books, to the teachers and librarians who do so much important work on the ground.
- Tom Donegan (Children’s Books Ireland)

And elsewhere – it’s official… The Irish Times loves Oliver Jeffers.

Read Kutub KIDS

الكتب! الكتب! الكتاب! For children and parents interested in Arabic kid lit

And, Right on Time For Banned Books Week…

The Israeli Education Ministry apparently has decided that the various book bannings I wrote about Saturday were insufficient. According to Ha’aretz:

The Education Ministry summoned the principal of a Sderot area high school for consultations after the school was found to be using a banned textbook that includes material on the Palestinian narrative of the Israel-Arab conflict.

The ministry recently instructed the Sha’ar Hanegev high school to cease using a history text that offers both the Israeli and Palestinian narratives of the conflict. The material in the book is taught as part of an enrichment, five-unit history class initiated by the school.