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Richmond-based writer Meg Medina is a nationally acclaimed author of books for children of all ages. She is also a national voice for representation of all children in literature and an advocate for libraries. In 2019, she received the Newbery Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the American Library Association for the year’s most distinguished children’s book, for her middle grade novel, Merci Suárez Changes Gears – only one of the many awards and honors her books have received
Medina is the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is appointed by the Librarian of Congress and is an initiative of the Library of Congress in partnership with Every Child a Reader. During her two-year term, she has worked to raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people. She is the first National Ambassador of Latina heritage in the program’s history.
The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Medina grew up in Queens, N.Y. and studied at Hunter College and Queens College, where she earned a degree in communication arts and English. She worked in publishing and taught in the New York City Public Schools, relocated to Florida where she was a freelance journalist. She devoted her creative energies to writing fiction after moving to Richmond in 1998. Medina often cites her own early life experiences as underpinnings of her works, which examine themes of immigration, separation from loved ones, and financial struggles, while often depicting loving Latine families as a source of strength.
She examines how cultures and identity intersect through the eyes of young people. Medina brings her audiences stories that are culturally specific and universal. Her favorite protagonists are strong girls.
For the program, Medina will be in conversation with VCU's SJ Sindu. Sindu, an assistant professor in the Department of English is a Sri Lankan American novelist and short story writer. From the Cabell stage, they will discuss creative strategies for storytelling that shares elements of culture broadly and expands our understanding of our world.
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This ticketed event will support the Friends of VCU Libraries Scholarship fund. Seating is limited. Attendees will have reserved seating at tables and will enjoy literary-inspired mocktails and light hors d'oeuvres
Tickets: $35 each. Tables of eight are $500 and will receive sponsorship recognition. Registration information is forthcoming.