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Category: Reading and Writing

These 2018 Young Adult debuts are defying and redefining literary genres

These 2018 Young Adult debuts are defying and redefining literary genres

by Katya de Becerra My earliest childhood memories are of bookshelves. Growing up, I was the type of girl who could often be seen with her nose buried deep inside a book. As far as my early reading preferences went, I was voracious: reading The Martian Chronicles during breakfast, then skimming through some school-assigned Russian classic at lunch, before at last disappearing into one of Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories in the evening. Back then, I didn’t categorize books as being…

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Refresh Rewind: Spring Reading

Refresh Rewind: Spring Reading

by The Refresh Editors We had a reluctant spring here in the Northeastern US. Rain and even snow tested the patience of our delicate spring flowers and we doubted the season would ever arrive. But temperatures finally rose, cherry blossoms bloomed and (most of the time) we’re enjoying the kind of weather that makes us want to crack open a window or sit under a tree while reading a good book. Luckily for us (and for you!), writers at The Refresh…

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Spies, sculptors and aviators: exploring women’s hidden history

Spies, sculptors and aviators: exploring women’s hidden history

by Greer Macallister Women’s History Month is a great time to learn more about the amazing women of history whose stories were left out of our high school textbooks. We know Charles Lindbergh’s name and Amelia Earhart’s, but what about Beryl Markham, whose adventures in aviation were just as groundbreaking? Everyone has heard of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Lincoln, but what about Kate Warne, who saved Lincoln from an assassination attempt en route to his inauguration? When I…

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Put Another Book on the Shelf: Five Aussie Writers You Should Know

Put Another Book on the Shelf: Five Aussie Writers You Should Know

by Marissa Price We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home. – Indigenous Australian Proverb. Australian literature is as varied as the country itself. Australia is a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds that lends itself to great storytelling. The traditional custodians of the land, the many Australian indigenous tribes, passed down their stories through cave carvings…

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Think You Are Too Old for Young Adult Novels? Think Again!

Think You Are Too Old for Young Adult Novels? Think Again!

by Annie Sullivan I can’t remember when I started reading Young Adult (YA) books. Even though I am in my thirties, I can still relate to the stories of characters who are constantly trying to discover and define who they are—whether that’s in an abusive relationship or on an alien planet. Young characters take on challenges related to relationships, identity, grief, and yes, even saving the world. They do it all while making profound discoveries about themselves and the worlds in…

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