Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueine Woodson is an author of books, primarily for children and young adults, although her writing appeals to grown-ups too. I had a chance to talk to her about her writing, her characters and her audience. Because she writes frankly about race, sexuality and abuse issues, her works sometimes end up on banned book lists. She says, "I'm a writer who's queer. I'm a writer who's black. I'm a writer who's a mom. All of these things define me. It makes me nervous when an identity tries to push the others away. As opposed as letting me be a writer first."

_{© Marty Umans}