The Gregory School is beyond excited to host young adult and children’s literature superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham on campus on March 11! The two authors/illustrators will be in Tucson for the Tucson Festival of Books with their collaboration, the Young Adult graphic novel Lunar New Year Love Story, and they agreed to volunteer their free time that Monday to our TGS community.
“This is a huge ‘get.’ Luen Yang has a really good eye for the complexities of how teenagers have to straddle multiple identities. He understands what it is to be a teenager trying to figure out who you are and what your place is in the universe.”
After presenting to Ms. Maiuri’s Junior/Senior Critical Exploration of Children’s Literature Seminar, the two authors will give a second presentation to the entire Gregory School community at 12:30 pm in the theater. They will talk about their books and about writing and also do a drawing demonstration.
The presentation will be appropriate for all ages, and students and family members will have the opportunity to purchase books by the authors and get them signed.
“This is a huge ‘get,’” English teacher Ms. Jana Maiuri said. “Luen Yang has a really good eye for the complexities of how teenagers have to straddle multiple identities. He understands what it is to be a teenager trying to figure out who you are and what your place is in the universe.” Mr. Yang is known for an array of comics and graphic novels, including the award-winning American Born Chinese, which was adapted into a television series.
LeUyen Pham is a children's book illustrator and author of more than 100 books, winning a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in the book Bear Came Along. She and Shannon Hale are co-creators of the bestselling graphic memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever and younger readers will know her for The Bear Who Wasn't There and Big Sister, Little Sister.
Students and families who would like to get books signed may purchase them at school on March 11 or in advance from Mr. Milam in the library. The price is $15. This makes a great gift idea and is a wonderful way to thank these authors for their time!
You can also catch Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham at the Tucson Festival of Books on Sunday, March 10, at 11:30 am on the World of YA Graphic Novels panel and at 4:00 pm as part of the illustrator draw-off.
