I am excited to once again be participating in the Read Local Challenge, a reading incentive program featuring traditionally-published authors and illustrators in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, and West Virginia, sponsored by the MD/DE/WV region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (with help and cooperation from the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI region).

The challenge features a selection of traditionally-published books in three levels: Picture Book, Middle Grade, and Young Adult, all written and/or illustrated by KidLit Creators who live in our states. This is a chance for readers, schools, libraries, and other lovers of literature to connect with local authors and discover new friends both on and off the page. This year’s Read Local Challenge kicked off on October 1, 2022 and runs through May 31, 2023.

Meet this year’s spectacular group of KidLit Creators!  Check out these FREE recorded webinars with the authors:

Overcome Obstacles: Get to know authors Claire A.B. Freeland, Ph.D. (What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake), Steven Clark Cunningham, M.D. (Your Body Sick and Well: How Do You Know?), Danielle Joseph (Sydney A. Frankel’s Summer Mix-up), and Kathy MacMillan (She Spoke: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World).

Friendships and “Fitting In”:Get to know authors Madelyn Rosenberg (Cyclops of Central Park), Veronica Bartles (The Princess and the Frogs), and Laura Gehl (The Hiking Viking), and author/illustrator Rebecca Evans (Alone Like Me).

Explore Your World: Get to know authors Joan C. Benson (His Gift), Steven Clark Cunningham, M.D. (It’s Considerate to be Literate: About Religion), Michelle Coles (Black Was the Ink), and Ann McCallum Staats (High Flyers: 15 Inspiring Women Aviators and Astronauts).

Conquer Challenges: Get to know authors Madelyn Rosenberg (One Small Hop), Shawn K. Stout (The Impossible Destiny of Cutie Grackle), Barbara Carney-Coston (To the Copper Country: Mihaela’s Journey), and Terry Catasús Jennings (Definitely Dominguita: Knight of the Cape).

Animal Adventures: Get to know authors Tracy C. Gold (Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat), Cindy Trumbore (Butterfly for a King), and author/illustrator Joan Waites (A Bone for Bo: Painting with Georgia O’Keeffe).

Click here to request your FREE Read Local Challenge kit with full-color posters, reading passports, and stickers!