In an effort to expand my world view beyond American and European literature (what I grew up with) I'm up to 56 countries now -- see "2016 Reading Project" -- and still reading. I'm enjoying the experience and also struggling with finding books from some countries, given my (embarrassing) English-only limitation. Currently at around a quarter of the world's nations, I fear I may only get to about half. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know!
About Kathryn Erskine
I grew up in Europe, Africa, Canada, and the United States, and was a lawyer before I figured out what I really wanted to be when I grew up—a writer! I take my inspiration from the world around me and from my personal experiences, including my childhood attending 8 different schools.
I travel a fair amount, give speeches, visit schools, etc. and try keep up my website in between. Writing time is precious -- I'm currently working on several novels: middle grade, young adult, and even adult, and some picture books. My latest novel is THE BADGER KNIGHT, an adventure. My newest (and first) picture book, MAMA AFRICA, the story of Miriam Makeba, South African civil rights activist and singer, is due to publish in 2017.
Find out moreLately....
Schools looking for class sets or multiple copies, paperbacks of SEEING RED are available through Scholastic here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/save-books-order-your-visiting-authors-work!
Here's a recent blog interview, with thanks to David Binder. Also, PLEASE NOTE the new tab for my "2016 READING PROJECT." I'll be updating the list of books from around the world periodically!
My 2016 Reading Project – A Children’s Book from Every Country of the World
Although I grew up in six countries, I realize that my reading has been disproportionately American and European authors. Inspired by Ann Morgan’s TED Talk and blog, A Year of Reading the World, my 2016 project is to read a children’s book from every country of the world (using the UN list of member states although I’m happy to include the observer and other states). I found links to international children’s book sources on Ann Morgan's blog, and my local librarians have been fabulous, but if anyone has advice for finding more children’s books written by non-U.S. authors or has a favorite book that meets these criteria, please contact me:
1) the author at least grew up in that country, even if living elsewhere now
2) the book is available in English
Ideally, I’d love the book to be reflective of the culture (which I interpret very broadly) or important events that happened there or be about current issues. For example, my U.S. book is All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.
I’d also like a mix of picture books and novels. Frankly, I’m not a fast reader and 200 children’s novels would take a long time to read on top of other reading, writing, teaching, traveling, and life in general.
As I gather books, I’ll list them here by country, author and title, and eventually, what I’ve learned -- the fascinating differences and the common denominator, humanity. Thanks for your help! Peace, Salam, Shalom.
Mockingbird -- or Passarinha in Brazilian Portuguese -- is being made into a play in Brazil! I'll actually be there in a couple of months but will miss the production, scheduled for September 2016. I'm thrilled and honored, though. Thank you, Sao Paulo!
Thanks, Scholastic for featuring me in the "Author Spotlight" for Seeing Red and The Badger Knight!
More exciting book news coming soon ....!
Mama Africa, my first picture book, is a go! Here's the blurb from Publishers Weekly:
Grace Kendall at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought Mockingbird author Kathryn Erskine's debut picture book, Mama Africa, to be illustrated by Charly Palmer, also a debut. The book tells the story of Grammy Award-winning South African singer and civil-rights activist Miriam Makeba, who brought global attention to the injustice of apartheid through her music while in exile. Publication is tentatively set for 2017; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author; the illustrator represented himself.
I can't wait to share her story -- and to see the stunning illustrations from Charly Palmer!
Thanks to the Fairfax Network, here's my appearance on the Meet the Author show! There are clips about my research for Mockingbird and how I overcome writer's block, as well as info about the Mockingbird play and links to study guides for Mockingbird and Seeing Red.
“The integration of historical facts into the text is seamless ... it is all so cleanly embedded into Adrian’s gripping, often harrowing, adventures.” 
“Erskine has written a powerful indictment of injustice in all forms and an equally powerful and dramatic demonstration that young people, by taking individual action, can actually change history. This is an important book that deserves the widest possible readership.” 
“The Absolute Value of Mike is a comedy about deadly serious things.” 
“As readers celebrate this milestone with Caitlin, they realize that they too have been developing empathy by walking a while in her shoes, experiencing the distinctive way that she sees and interacts with the world. ” 
“As one of the first, if not the first anti-war novel for this generation, Erskine's story will surely open some minds to the idea that peace is nothing to be ashamed of. A good discussion starter on several levels.”