"I'm Optimistic Because It Saved My Life"

Hey YA

This week, Erica speaks with Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson about being a 16-year-old NYS and NYC Youth Poet Laureate Finalist and co-founder of a literary arts magazine, and Kelly talks with author Veronica Chambers about Ida In Love and Trouble, Black historical YA, and more.

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Books, Media, and Writers Discussed

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

Chen Chen

Tony Hoagland

Danez Smith

A Tale for the time being by Ruth Ozeki

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Magical/Realism: Essays on Music, Memory, Fantasy, and Borders by Vanessa Angélica Villarreal

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

Ida, In Love and Trouble by Veronica Chambers

Veronica Chambers at The New York Times

Suffs on Broadway

Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

The Memphis Diaries by Ida B. Wells

Ida: A Sword Among Lions by Paula Giddings

Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen by Veronica Chambers

Amigas: Fifteen Candles by Veronica Chambers

Sabaa Tahir

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Saving Savannah by Tonya Bolden

Babel by R. F. Kuang

Resist: 35 Profiles of Ordinary People Who Rose Up Against Tyranny and Injustice by Veronica Chambers

Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter by Jennifer Harlan and Veronica Chambers

The New York Times writing contests for teens

Playlist for Ida in Love and Trouble

Follow Madeline Berberian-Hutchinson's art and literature magazine at Noor.org and on Instagram

Donate to Noor.org on Gofundme

Follow Veronica Chambers on Instagram.

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