I've spent the last thirty years steeped in books for young people as a librarian, workshop presenter, reviewer, university instructor, and author of four guides to children's books. All my work is aimed at helping young people connect with books that will enrich their lives and add to their happiness. My newest project is a workshop on diverse books from 2015-2022 for grades 6-12.For 17 years, I worked directly with children and teens in public and school libraries. Since then I've been giving workshops on young adult books throughout the country. I also speak at conferences and schools about children's and YA books.
I was fortunate enough to chair the 2002 Newbery Award Committee and to serve on earlier Caldecott and Newbery Committees. For ten years, I taught Children's & Young Adult Literature in Mansfield University's online School Library and Information Technologies graduate program.
Over the years, I've reached many parents and educators through my four guides to children's books, which have sold more than 125,000 copies. I currently review children's and young adult books for The Providence Journal. I previously reviews for School Library Journal, ALA's Booklist, Teacher-Librarian and Kirkus Reviews.
You can reach me at kathleenodean@gmail.com. Follow me on twitter @kathleenodean.
