Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here.
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I love music. I love all sorts of music. I grew up listening to what we called "the oldies" in the 80's and 90's...which was music from the 50's and 60's but I also listened to NKOTB and Debbie Gibson and Tiffany and Madonna. In high school I found alternative and went to see Oasis, Dishwalla, and Counting Crows in concert. I love CCR and Green Day and Barenaked Ladies and Garbage. After college, I started listening to country and lately I'm back to pop but I still am always on the lookout for songs that catch my attention. I have a friend who I'll ask to send me a song-of-the-day, especially when I need something different or unique to get my mind off of things.
But recently I heard a song that made me cringe. It's called Girl Crush by Little Big Town. You can watch the video and the lyrics are included if you do (FYI, it's not very kid friendly). Basically, the song is all about a girl who envies another girl because the guy she likes is in love with the other girl. I really like the song...the tempo and the mood...and I was intrigued when I heard girl crush until I figured out what they meant by a girl crush. Honestly, I'm all for girls crushing over girls but not in the way Little Big Town suggests. Why can't a girl be inspired by another girl instead of being envious of her? Why can't a girl look at another girl and see her confidence and wish she could be like that too? Why can't a girl look at another girl and stand taller knowing she's a girl and she rocks, too? It really irritates me.
What I would say to any girl who has a girl crush like Little Big Town suggests is: Look. Forget about him. If he loves her, he loves her. You go be you. Be awesome. Be passionate. Pour your energy into the things that make you happy and people who appreciate you. Love yourself. Love life. And love will find you.
So in the spirit of girl crushing my way, I'm sharing some girl kid lit authors who I've so totally got a girl crush on right now. All of these women are doing amazing things for children's and young adult literature. And, lucky me, these are only a few of the amazing women who inspire me as a teacher, reader, writer, mother, but most importantly, as a woman.
Kate Messner
Ame Dyckman
Jacqueline Woodson
Raina Telgemeier
Jenny Han
Who are some of your girl power author heroes in kidlit?
Girl power for the win!
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