Tuesday, April 23, 2019

An Open Letter to the Children's Book Guild

Today, Martha Brockenbrough, Julie Foster Hedlund, and Ishta Mercurio ask for action and change from the Children's Book Guild in response to an incident that occurred at a recent event.

Please read the letter below and leave a comment that includes your name if you'd like to lend your support.


[Ed. 9am 4/25/19: Please note that we will wrap up signature gathering at 8pm EST tonight (Thursday, April 25th), and will also close comments at that time. We will send this letter with signatures to the CBG the following morning.
Update 8:15pm 4/25/19: Comments are now closed.]


April 23, 2019
Rhoda Trooboff
Children’s Book Guild
Childrensbookguild@yahoo.com

Dear Ms. Trooboff:

We are members of the children’s book community writing in support of Carole Lindstrom, who was treated in an unacceptable manner at a recent luncheon. We are also writing in support of Dr. Debbie Reese, a respected authority in children’s literature and the representation of American Indians. And we are writing to suggest some changes to your protocol for handling these incidents when they occur.

To summarize what happened: Your membership chair, Jacqueline Jules, initiated a conversation with Ms. Lindstrom during the lunch. Ms. Jules wanted to know what Ms. Lindstrom thought of Dr. Reese, and the intentions behind Ms. Jules’s questioning do not appear to be benign.

Dr. Reese, who is so respected in the field as to be selected to give the prestigious May Hill Arbuthnot lecture, is frequently criticized by people who do not wish to understand her work, and who do not wish to understand the nuances of cultural representation. She is beloved by people who are committed to writing better books for the children we serve. She is patient, generous with her time, straightforward with her comments, and has made a groundbreaking difference in understanding racism directed at Indigenous people.

Ms. Jules’ question itself was inappropriate. Dr. Reese is an industry professional, and it is in bad form to disparage an industry professional at an industry function. Furthermore, when Ms. Lindstrom explained that Dr. Reese is a friend, Ms. Jules should have dropped the subject to respect that statement and the boundary it implied. Ms. Jules did not. Instead, she continued, prompting Ms. Lindstrom to leave the luncheon. Then she initiated unwanted physical contact with Ms. Lindstrom, and then she followed her outside after Ms. Lindstrom had made it clear she wanted no part of the discussion.

No one inside the room did anything to end this disturbing treatment or to intervene on behalf of a guest. What’s more, when your organization heard Ms. Lindstrom’s complaint, you shared it with Ms. Jules without first getting Ms. Lindstrom’s consent. And you do not seem to have any sort of policy for your organization on harassment, or any protocol in place for bystanders to intervene and end the harassment. It also confused many people aware of what had transpired that your organization would choose this week to single out Ms. Jules as “Author of the Day,” a choice that seems the opposite of apologetic. [Clarification: The “Author of the Day” designation was created by the Chesapeake Children’s Festival, not by the Children’ Book Guild. The CBG was boosting the promotion.]

We, the undersigned, believe the Children’s Book Guild owes Ms. Lindstrom and Dr. Reese apologies, and we believe you would be well-served by creating policies that protect people from harassment of all sorts when they attend your meetings.

Sincerely yours,

Martha Brockenbrough
Julie Foster Hedlund
Ishta Mercurio

Martha Brockenbrough is the author of many works of fiction and nonfiction for young readers. She teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Julie Foster Hedlund is an author, freelance writer, and founder of 12x12, program to support motivation and accountability for picture book writers.
Ishta Mercurio is the author of the forthcoming picture book SMALL WORLD, illustrated by Jen Corace and published by Abrams.


[Ed. 6:45pm 4/23/19: We hear some people are having trouble commenting. If this is you, please feel free to email us, readingwhilewhite@gmail.com, with the text of your comment. We'll be glad to post it on your behalf.]

398 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 398 of 398
Hannah Holt said...

Co-signed
Hannah Holt

Rebecca said...

Co-signed,
Rebecca Hachmyer
SHIFT Book Box Co-Founder

Joanna Ho Bradshaw said...

Cosigned,
Joanna Ho Bradshaw

Unknown said...

Co-signed
Sam Anderson
Teacher Librarian

JamieF said...

Co-signed in solidarity,
Jamie Folsom
Citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Unknown said...

Co-signed
Curtis Manley

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Nichole Kage, Pharm.D., RPh

(We are posting this on Nichole's behalf at Nichole's request.)

Reading While White said...

Cosigned. Please use this opportunity to help your organization grow in how it responds to these situations. Sincerely, Erica Isaacson, Lover of Children's Books.

(We are posting this on Erica's behalf at Erica's request.)

Reading While White said...

The behavior and subsequent glorifying of this author, who had such terrible behavior, is awful.
Andrea L. Rogers
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

(We are posting this on Andrea's behalf at Andrea's request.)

Renee LaTulippe said...

Co-signed
Renée M. LaTulippe

Meghan Drummond said...

Co-signed,

Meghan Drummond

Deborah said...

Co-signed
Deborah Lilton, M.L.I.S. and M.A.

Christopher Healy said...

Co-signed,
Christopher Healy

Kathy Halsey said...

Co-signed Kathy Halsey, Children's Writer/ Former School Librarian

Angie said...

Co-signed,
Angela Pilkington

Deborah Menkart said...

Co-signed,
Deborah Menkart, Teaching for Change and Social Justice Books

Trish Doller said...

Co-signed,
Trish Doller

Michelle Leonard said...

Co-signed, Michelle Leonard

If you haven't seen Debbie Reese's Arbuthnot speech, scroll down one from this blog post. Definitely worth you time. We all have much to learn.

LizG said...

Co-signed
Liz Parker Garcia

J. Albert Mann said...

Co-signed.
J. Albert Mann

Monica Edinger said...

Co-signed,
Monica Edinger

Sarah Albee said...

Co-signed.
Sarah Albee

Unknown said...

Cosigned. Shayla Rubio

Andréa F. said...

Co-signed,
Andréa Fernandes, youth services assistant

Hillary said...

Co-Signed,

Hillary Monahan

Bianca Sommerland said...

Thank you for for this letter. I hope the guild takes this matter seriously.

Co-signed,
Bianca Sommerland

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Kaitlin Younger
MLIS Student

Brooke said...

Co-signed.
Brooke Banks, reviewer/blogger at The Layaway Dragon.

Gabrielle Balkan said...

Co-signed,
Gabrielle Balkan, children's book author, Brooklyn , NY

I am pleased, however, to learn more GIRLS DANCE, BOYS FIDDLE and pick it up from my local indie!

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Brandon Marie Miller

(We are posting this on Brandon's behalf at Brandon's request.)

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Renée Watson

(We are posting this on Renée's behalf at Renée's request.)

Jodi Moore said...

Co-signed,
Jodi Moore

Carole@HCPL said...

Cosigned
Carole Dennis
Librarian

Mary Jane Hathaway said...

Co-signed,
Mary Jane Hathaway

melanie hope greenberg said...

Signed -from someone who has been followed into my inbox by an author or illustrator wanting to fight.

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Nicolette McClain

Reading While White said...

Co-signing, and also echoing the other comments urging CBG to use this as an opportunity to follow the recent examples of SCBWI, RWA, and other writing organizations to create a strong code of conduct and anti-harassment policy, including reporting procedures, and to remind attendees of these policies and procedures at each event and in each newsletter/email. I've passed along links and possible models through CBG member friends and am happy to provide more if desired. -Angele McQuade

(We are posting this on Angele's behalf at Angele's request.)

Mike Hays said...

Co-signed,

Mike Hays

Shiloh Walker said...

Co-signed
Shiloh Walker, author

Unknown said...

Co-signed
Lindsey Patrick-Wright

stephy0804 said...

Co-signed,
Stephanie Ahn

Reading While White said...

The established culture at events such as these cannot allow space for aggressors or bystanders.
Co-signed,
Navjot Kaur (Saffron Press)

(We are posting this on Navjot's behalf at Navjot's request.)

Anna M. Lewis said...

Co-signed
Anna M Lewis

Kate Messner said...

Co-signed,
Kate Messner

rachel said...

Co-signed,
Rachel Hartman
writer

Unknown said...

Well said, thank you!
Molly Magro, middle school librarian

katyeh said...

Co-signed,
Kat Yeh

Anonymous said...

Co-signed,
Crystal Chen

Unknown said...

Co-signed.

Ashia Ray, Books For Littles & Raising Luminaries

Reading While White said...

Fear creates all kinds of discrimination and damaging behaviors, including passivity. I wish I’d been there to intervene on Ms. Lindstrom’s behalf.

Fear turned into curiosity can lead to acceptance and inclusion. That is what I hope the Guild will take from this incident. Pls don’t let fear run your org.

Co-signed, Anny Rusk
#choose2include

(We are posting this on Anny's behalf at Anny's request.)

Sarah said...

Co Signed,
Sarah Aronson

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Dr. Kristin McIlhagga

(We are posting this on Kristin's behalf at Kristin's request.)

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,

Deb Marshall
LCF
Grade 7-12 School on Treaty 7 Lands

(We are posting this on Deb's behalf at Deb's request.)

Reading While White said...

I hope your organization takes on the task of becoming a place where people from marginalized communities feel safe. There are many educators and resources that can help you move in this direction. Your apology will be empty if it doesn’t include actual steps to understand how what happened was white supremacy in action, even if it was unconscious.

Sincerely, Amy Iannone

(We are posting this on Amy's behalf at Amy's request.)

Wooby said...

Co-signed,
Mary Glendening
Librarian & Author

Unknown said...

Co-signed
Cathy Rettberg, school librarian

Yapha Mason said...

Co-signed,
Yapha Mason
School Librarian

Gail said...

Co-signed
Gail Bloom
School Librarian

Ashley Brown said...

Cosigned,
Ashley Brown
Elementary Instructional Coach

Reading While White said...

Co-signed
Fiona Robinson

(We are posting this on Fiona's behalf and at Fiona's request.)

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Paula Weinman

Robin said...

Co-Signed,
Robin Clancy

Joline said...

Co-signed
Joline Messina

Reading While White said...

Thank you for taking action on this subject. It’s astounding that readers and writers, who I consider to be some of the most empathetic people, can be so ignorant and merciless when it comes to understanding and dealing with other people, especially those with an experience different from their own.
Co-signed
Moira Bonadonna

(We are posting this on Moira's behalf at Moira's request.)

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Sara Nickerson

Anonymous said...

Co-signed,
Clair Dunlap, MLIS student

Anonymous said...

Co-signed
Vera Elwood

kyortega said...

Co-signed,
Katrina Ortega, YA public librarian

MaryLibrarianOH said...

Co-signed
Mary Schreiber

Unknown said...

Co-signed
Alexis Covey
2nd grade teacher in Sacramento, CA

TinyLibrarian said...

Co-signed,

Candice (Wing-yee) Mack
Past President, Young Adult Library Services Association
Administrator, Systemwide Teen Services, Los Angeles Public Library

Author Amok said...

Co-signed,
Laura Shovan
Middle Grade Author
Maryland State Arts Council Artist-in-Education

Liz said...

Co-signed,
Liz Anderson

Anonymous said...

Co-signed,
Julia Christy
Middle School Librarian

Karen MacPherson said...

Co-signed, Karen MacPherson

Devon Mihesuah said...


Devon Mihesuah, Choctaw writer

April Brown said...

Co-signed

This is not the behavior we want to teach our students, our children, our future generations.

April Brown
Educator/Education Consultant/Learning Designer

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Karen Caoilfhionn
Special education teacher

Jane Heitman Healy said...

Co-signed.
Jane Heitman Healy

carriejonesbooks said...

Cosigned,

Carrie Jones

Nicole Lesperance said...

Co-signed
Nicole Lesperance

Kaichu said...

Co-signed,

Dr. Poushali Bhadury
Asst. Professor
Middle Tennessee State University

Kathryn Price NicDhĂ na said...

Co-signed,

Kathryn Price NicDhĂ na

Rachael said...

Cosigned. Rachael Barker

Bianca Cockrell said...

Co-signed—hope this is used as an opportunity for reflection, learning, and growth in the ever-winding road of decolonizing and diversifying children's literature.

Respectfully,
Bianca Cockrell

rachelelizabeth said...

Co-signed
Rachel Strolle

Unknown said...

I hope you'll make the time to adequately address the concerns conveyed in this letter.
Tonya Alston

Sharon said...

Co-signed

Sharon Levin

Marjorie Florestal said...

Co-signed. Please spare us one more meaningless apology. Clearly you have a systemic issue. Action is called for.

Unknown said...

Co-singed
J. Marin Younker

Unknown said...

I sincerely hope this situation results in the Children's Book Guild examining their behavior and doing the work to create policies against harassment and guidelines for bystander intervention when things like this happen.

Co-signed,
Natalie DeJonghe
Public Librarian

CAORANN Council said...

Cosigned

CAORANN – Celts Against Oppression, Racism and Neo-Nazism
Scotland/Turtle Island/International

Kara D, MLIS said...

Co-signed,
Kara DeCarlo, librarian

INMWabanahkik West said...

Co-signed,

Indigenous Nationhood Movement Wabanahkik West

Robin Herrera said...

Co-signed,
Robin Herrera

Unknown said...

Co-signed.
Andrew Hume

RebeckyB said...

Co-Signed from unceded Oto land,
Rebecca McCorkindale
Hafuboti.com
Assistant Library Director/Creative Director in Gretna, NE

Polly said...

Co-signed,
Polly Ross-Tyrrell

Lisa Schroeder said...

Co-signed
Lisa Schroeder

Becca Patterson said...

Co-signed

-Rebecca S Justiniano

Reading While White said...

Co-signed in solidarity
Ciro Scardina

(We are posting this on Ciro's behalf at Ciro's request.)

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Angel Matos

Sarah said...

Co-signed
Sarah Loch, member of the Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma

Libby said...

Co-signed,
Libby Gorman

Susan Held said...

Co-signed,
Susan Held

Sarah said...

Co-signed,
Sarah Emery

Unknown said...

Please use this as an opportunity to be better.

Co-signed.

Liz Glaser

Nirvana said...

Co-Signed
Nirvana Habash

Elizabeth Brown said...


Elizabeth Brown, author

Unknown said...

In solidarity and support of Debbie Reese,
Katie Ishizuka and Ramon Stephens
Directors, The Conscious Kid

Olivia H said...

Co-signed
Olivia Hinebaugh

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Disappointing and infuriating but NOT at all surprising.
I am local to the Guild and have had absolutely no interest in becoming a member because I have attended only 2 events and at each event there was at least one moment of incredible discomfort at being one of the few writers of color there.

Co-signed.

Anonymous said...

Co-signed,

Dawn Quigley,citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe
PhD | Kidlit author

richflynn17 said...

Cosigned
Richard Flynn
Professor of English
Georgia Southern U

Meg said...

Co-signed,
Megan Freeman

Susan said...

I am so horrified by the harassment of Ms. Lindstrom and the implied attack on Dr. Reese. An apology is only a beginning. Co-signing this letter,

Susan Dove Lempke

e.a.hanson said...

Co-signed,

Liv Hanson
Youth Collection Development Specialist

Perry Nodelman said...

Perry Nodelman, Professor Emeritus of English, The University of Winnipeg,
Specialist in children’s literature studies

Cat Winters said...

Co-signed,
Cat Winters

Mai DeBlieck said...

Co-signed,
Mai DeBlieck
Children's librarian

Anne said...

Co-signed, Anne Heidemann

Lorian Tu said...

Co-signed, Lorian Tu

Unknown said...

co-signed, Cheryl Savageau, Abenaki poet/writer/storyteller

shaawano said...

Co-signed,
Shaawano Chad Uran, PhD
White Earth Anishinaabe

Sara Oppler said...

Co-signed

CD said...

Co-signed,
Crystal D'Auria

Robin Hosemann said...

Co-signed,
Robin Hosemann, youth programs, public library

Mgrinde said...

Co-signed
Mabyn Grinde

mother/ sister/ aunty/ educator

Kristy Boyce said...

Co-signed,
Kristy Boyce

Unknown said...

Co-signed,

Ellen Emerson White

katy said...

Co-signed,

Katy Henderson

Unknown said...

Rose Stremlau, Ph.D.
Historian

Amber Keyser said...

Co-signed
Dr. Amber J Keyser

JosieY said...

Co signed
Rev Josie Yarham
Priest and School Chaplain

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Katharine Capshaw
Professor of English
University of Connecticut

(We are posting this on Katharine's behalf at Katharine's request.)

Tam Smith said...

Co-signed, Tamara Ellis Smith
Picture book and middle grade author

Christie said...

Co-signed

Christie Nold
Public School Teacher

airlie said...

Co-signed

Airlie Anderson, author-illustrator

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Trisha Connolly
Librarian - Evanston, Illinois

Sarah Jane Marsh said...

Co-signed
Sarah Jane Marsh

Jewel said...

Co-signed,

Jewel Davis

Evan Turk said...

Co-signed
Evan Turk

Kit Golan said...

Co-signed,
Kit Golan
NYC public school teacher

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Emily Visness
ELA Teacher | Writer
@bookishadvocate

(We are posting this on Emily's behalf at Emily's request.)

Steve Goodhall said...

Cosigned.

Steve Goodhall
Author

Sujei said...

Co-signed,
Sujei Lugo

Epona said...

Co-signed.

Take this chance to learn and grow as an organization. The world is changing, you need to keep up or become irrelevant.

-Rachael Wang

Alie Q said...

Co-signer,
Alie Quinn
Elementary Teacher and Children's Literature Enthusiast

Anonymous said...

Co-signed,
Joe Manning

Blythe said...

co-signed
Blythe Bennett

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Grace Kendall

(We are posting this on Grace's behalf at Grace's request.)

sfrazin said...

Co-Signed,
Shana Frazin

Unknown said...

Co-signed. In solidarity,
Sonja Cherry-Paul

Mrs. Pilkington said...

Co-signed. Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Unknown said...

Co-signed,

Ken Templeton
Melrose, MA

kiperoo said...

Co-signed
Kip Wilson

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Kim Parker

(We are posting this on Kim's behalf at Kim's request.)

Anonymous said...

Co-signed,
Stacy Wells

dalia said...

Co-signed

Dalia Ebeid

Eugenia Beh said...

Co-signed,
Eugenia Beh
Past President of the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)

Poetic Justice said...

Co-signed, Tiffany Midge, Author, Standing Rock Sioux

Tess said...

Co-signed
Dr Tess Prendergast

Ms. F said...

Co-signed
Sarah Glenn Fortson
Writer/Member SCBWI
Debut PB, October 2019

Red Haircrow said...

Co-signed,
D.S. Red Haircrow, Author, Psychologist, Educator and Filmmaker

Ibi Zoboi said...

Co-signed.

Ibi Zoboi

Cheryl said...

Co-signed,

Cheryl Klein

Arya H. said...

Cosigned,
Arya

Megan Wong said...

Co-signed
Megan Wong

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,

Susan Feller

(We are posting this on Susan's behalf at Susan's request.)

Mary Gen said...

Co-signed,
Mary Gen Davies,
Children's Librarian

Reading While White said...

Cosigned. – Angie So

(We are posting this on Angie's behalf at Angie's request.)

Ana-Elba Pavon said...

Co-signed,
Ana-Elba Pavon

Unknown said...

Co-Signed,
Gabi Kim Huesca

BSiekiera said...

Co-signed
Beth Walker, Librarian

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Lara Aase

Dr. Ron Querry said...

Co-signed,
Dr. Ron Querry, Author
Enrolled Member, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Unknown said...

Co-signed,
Erin A. Hollingsworth

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Roslyn Ntellas

(We are posting this on Roslyn's behalf at Roslyn's request.)

Hijabi Librarians said...

Co-signed,

Hijabi Librarians
Sara G. Ahmed, Hadeal Salamah, Mahasin Abui Aleem, and Ariana Sani Hussain

Chacha Centeno said...

Co-signed,
Vanessa Centeno, member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Youth Services Librarian

SDP_Paulita said...

Co-signed,
Paulita Aguilar, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, NM
Curator of Native American Materials at the University of New Mexico

tomryan27 said...

Co-signed
Tom Ryan

Abigail Smith said...

Co-Signed,
Abigail Smith

Mildred Walters said...

Co-signed,
Mildred Walters,
Tribal Librarian

Annette said...

Co-signed,
Annette Bay Pimentel

mfhadley said...

Co-signed,
Faye Hadley,
Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator

Ki-Wing Merlin said...

Co-signed,
Ki-Wing Merlin

Michelle Li said...

Adding my support.

Michelle Li

Front Deck Text said...

Co-signed,
Gail de Vos

clhooee said...

Co-signed,
Cordelia Hooee, Tribal Archivist/Librarian

Unknown said...

Co-signed,

Lorie Mitchell
Carlsbad, NM

rebecca said...

Co-signed,
Rebecca Kuss

Reading While White said...

Please take this opportunity to reflect and improve.
Cosigned
-Mary Bates-Ulibarri

(we are posting this for Mary at Mary's request)

Barbara R. Paciotti said...

Not surprised, but alarmed, that the pervasive intolerance that has overtaken this country has invaded our literary and educational settings. And while I hate the "white savior" mindset, I'm appalled that in a roomful of white folks, no one stood up for this lone lady of color. We should be ashamed.

Co-signed in support of Carole Lindstrom and Dr. Debbie Reese

Barbara Paciotti
Retired Middle School Librarian
Dallas TX Metroplex

Indigo’s Bookshelf: Voices of Native Youth said...

co-signed, with all our hearts, @ofglades--
Alexis, 19, Eduardo, 19, Michael, 17, Charlie, 16 and Ashleigh, 13
In the memory of Indigo
& with our librarian, Ann Clare Le Zotte

TAndracki said...

Co-signed,
Thaddeus Andracki

Caitlin R. O'Connell said...

Co-signed. Caitlin O'Connell, Assistant Editor.

Reading While White said...

Co-signed,
Margarita Engle

(We are posting this at Margarita's request.)

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