Writers’ Craft

Praise

Thank you to everyone who attended the Star’s Media Literacy for Educators event November 29.

I was left with an overwhelming sense of hope about the future of young people and the internet, after a great day chatting with educators and parents. I spoke about how to help young people think more critically about what they see and read online. My TeachingKidsNews.com co-founder, Jon Tilly, gave a teacher’s perspective with a brilliant talk about strategies and best-practices. And I got to interview the Star’s new editor-in-chief, Nicole MacIntyre about what the future holds for journalism and the Star. We capped the day off with a tour of the Star’s newsroom by Star librarian Astrid Lange.

Thank you to everyone who organized this fantastic day at The Well in Toronto!

Here’s a link to the coverage of the event in the Star:

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/misinformation-lives-where-young-people-live-heres-how-to-help-them-identify-it/article_3772a8ae-ae78-11ef-84a2-c3a6805b7e1c.html

Screen caps of the online article covering the event by the Star

Thank you to Lynn Pickering and 99.3 County FM for interviewing me about how to help young people spot misinformation! To listen, click below:

Join me on Friday, Nov. 29 for a media literacy event for educators. I’ll be talking about what I’ve learned from the past 8 years talking to young people about journalism and misinformation. My TeachingKidsNews.com co-founder, Jon Tilly, will provide a teacher’s perspective. And we will have an AMA with Toronto Star Editor-in-Chief, Nicole MacIntyre.

Click here to purchase your ticket and reserve your space at this unique event that will help you improve your media literacy teaching!

Media Literacy Week, presented by MediaSmarts, is the perfect time to reflect on how we’re navigating social media–and how our kids and students are as well. I wrote “Can You Believe It?” to help young people think more critically about what they see and read online every day.

It covers how “real” journalism works–and the importance of accuracy to professional journalists. The difference between satire, ads and news. And what “fake news” looks like, why people make it, and what to do when you spot it.

Let’s face it, kids are going to be online for information, education and entertainment. So let’s arm them with the tools they need to be able to think skeptically and critically about what they see there.

There is a curated list of media literacy games and resources on my kids’ news website, TeachingKidsNews.com. And, visit MediaSmarts.ca for awesome media lit resources as well.

I’m excited to be a Signature Presenter during #HamiltonArtsWeek, June 5 to 14.

I’ll be presenting at 4 branches of Hamilton Public Library to talk to aspiring kidlit creators about how they can get their manuscript from computer screen to bookshelf! “Breaking into Kidlit” is a free event sponsored by the Hamilton Arts Council. All four events are sold out but you can get on the waiting list. Visit HPL.ca to register.

Thank you to the Hamilton Arts Council for sponsoring this presentation series. And Hamilton Public Library as well as Canadian Heritage, the City of Hamilton and Canada Council for the Arts.

Check out the fantastic calendar of events and make sure you attend a great Hamilton arts event to refill your well!

Check out this exciting new reel, put together by the fantastic team at @EpilogueProductions, showcasing some of my recent presentations and keynotes.

To book an energetic and engaging author presentation for your class or conference, or for more information, click here: https://joycegrantauthor.com/request-a-school-visit/.

I’ll respond quickly and I’m always happy to talk about how I can tailor the presentation for your audience. Also, my in-class presentations include awesome book swag like bookmarks, teaching guides and more!

Books

Gabby

When Gabby drops her magic book the letters fall out.
Whatever she spells with the letters comes to life!

Gabby: Drama Queen

Gabby and her friend Roy are in the backyard, setting up a stage for their play about “Queen Gabriella” — but they are missing a few crucial items.
Using her magic letter book, Gabby assembles letters to create words that will transform into various props for a fun drama adventure.

Gabby: Wonder Girl

When Gabby finds a mysterious photograph in her backyard, she teams up with her best friend, Super Roy, to figure out who the strange girl in the picture is.
Using her magic book and the power of punctuation, Gabby and Roy must ask the right questions to solve the mystery and save the day.

Sliding Home

Miguel hasn’t missed El Salvador since arriving in North America with his mother and sister. But with his father still in El Salvador and gangs shaking down the old neighbourhood, life isn’t easy for Miguel.
As the team learns about the hard realities some new immigrant kids face, Miguel and his family learn to trust their neighbours and teammates.

Tagged Out

The inner-city Blues baseball team is having a lousy year. Shortstop Nash and the Blues can’t seem to win.
Is it a problem that their new all-star player is gay? It is for Nash.

Want to get published? Great Resources, Tips, Organizations

A fantastic, curated list of tips, links and tricks for aspiring writers.

Joyce Grant, Author & Speaker