Printz Honor Book

I was thrilled on Monday, January 28, when the American Library Association announced its annual youth media awards (such as the well-known Caldecott and Newbery) and I learned that a book written by my cousin, Beverley Brenna, The White Bicycle, had been named a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. I immediately emailed her to suggest an interview, and this interview took place that evening. I’m delighted to share it with you all today. Beverley Brenna lives on an acreage near Saskatoon with husband Dwayne and their sons. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching courses on Canadian children’s literature, and literacy teaching and learning, at the University of Saskatchewan. She welcomes invitations to speak at conferences, when her university teaching schedule allows, and a current preferred topic is How Books Can Change the World–One Reader at a Time! And now to the interview – I hope you won’t get too confused between the Beth and the Bev in this interview. Imagine what it was like when we lived in the same house! We’d hear the phone being answered, “Do you wish to speak to Beverley or Elizabeth?” because the names sound so similar.