Sep 29 Behind the castle doors, a crew of Renaissance fair workers find family amid the fantasy By Alison Thoet Behind the scenes of this fleeting fantasy world is a tight-knit community of artisans, entrepreneurs and free spirits who reunite at the Maryland festival every year, and have for decades. Continue reading
Sep 28 Banning books like '13 Reasons Why' makes it harder for teens to open up to adults, author says By Lora Strum "If we say issues of teen suicide, drinking, sex or sexual assault are inappropriate, we’re telling teens who may identify with those themes that there isn’t a safe space for them," said author Jay Asher in an interview during Banned… Continue reading
Sep 27 Watch 5:51 In 'My Absolute Darling,' a teen girl must survive her own father By Travis Daub Author Gabriel Tallent says he set out to tell the story of a young woman's fight for her own soul when the odds are "murderously against her." In "My Absolute Darling," a 14-year-old girl knows survival in the wild, but… Continue watching
Sep 25 How the irreverent poetry of the '60s helped spawn punk music By Elizabeth Flock A new book traces how innovators of punk music interacted with New York School poets such as Ted Berrigan and Anne Waldman. Continue reading
Sep 24 Watch 9:10 Bestselling book 'The Hate U Give' tackles police violence against black teenagers By PBS News Hour The young adult novel "The Hate U Give" tells the story of a teenager whose childhood friend is shot and killed by a police officer. In the book, now a finalist for a National Book Award and Kirkus Prize, author… Continue watching
Sep 24 Author Angie Thomas sheds light on 'private, hidden conversations' about race, says former professor By artsdesk The founder of the creative writing program that inspired author Angie Thomas to write “The Hate U Give” remembers how the book started. Continue reading
Sep 22 Watch 8:08 Great books to fall for now that summer's over By PBS News Hour From Toni Morrison to Bruce Handy’s take on children’s literature, we offer eight must-read books to add to your bookshelf this fall. Louise Penny, author of ”Glass Houses,” and Pamela Paul, author of “My Life With Bob,” join Jeffrey Brown… Continue watching
Sep 22 These provocative posters will make you think differently about 'We the People' By Elizabeth Flock Graphic designers reimagine a U.S. Constitution that acknowledges the American slave trade and mistreatment of Native Americans. Continue reading
Sep 21 Burn this story about Yoko Ono after you've read it By Joshua Barajas Yoko Ono's 1964 book "Grapefruit," an early experiment in conceptual art, inspired the lyrics to John Lennon's "Imagine." Now, the book is getting its due. Continue reading
Sep 21 After the Juggalo March on Washington, a long legal fight ahead By Michael Boulter The rap group Insane Clown Posse and its fan are suing over the FBI's labeling of the group as a “hybrid” gang, saying they suffered harassment as a result. Continue reading