{"id":4776,"date":"2018-10-04T07:59:27","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T14:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/?p=4776"},"modified":"2018-10-04T17:20:27","modified_gmt":"2018-10-05T00:20:27","slug":"pasadena-loves-ya-2018-an-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2018\/pasadena-loves-ya-2018-an-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Pasadena Loves YA 2018: An Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alaina Joby, age 16<\/span><\/p>\n

The much awaited Pasadena Loves Young Adult Festival attracted a crowd of people this year; with fifteen up and coming authors visiting and people flocking in to hear their panels, it was undoubtedly a successful event. The day was divided into panels, each dedicated to something that was similar between the authors\u2019 works. The first panel, called \u201cRoads to Healing\u201d, featured Carrie Arcos (<\/span>We Are All That\u2019s Left<\/span><\/i>), Samuel Miller (<\/span>A Life Too Bright<\/span><\/i>), Farrah Penn (<\/span>Twelve Steps to Normal<\/span><\/i>) and Aminah Mae Safi (<\/span>Not the Girls You\u2019re Looking For<\/span><\/i>). <\/span><\/p>\n

Arcos started the panel talking about how all four of their books valued friendships. Penn and Safi especially pointed out that their books had friendships that were broken and fixed back together again — friendships that meant a lot to their characters\u2019 overall development. Safi also brought up the fact that more and more characters in recently published books are coming from a diverse background; her book has a character who is Muslim. Lulu, Safi\u2019s character, is a character of great contradiction — she believes that Lulu represents herself, or at least, how she hoped she behaved. This panel dug deep into the process of creating their characters: all four of them agreed that their characters represented parts of who they were or who they wanted to become. \u201cYou cannot avoid incorporating a part of yourself into your work,\u201d Penn told Arcos, \u201cIt\u2019s simply just not possible! There will be parts of you or parts of your life in your story, whether you know it or not\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

The second panel featured authors from Young Adult Graphic Novels: Cory Doctorow (<\/span>In Real Life<\/span><\/i>) and Mairghread Scott (<\/span>The City on the Other Side<\/span><\/i>). Scott has been an animator for both Marvel and DC comics; she was the first woman to write a <\/span>Transformers <\/span><\/i>comic and get paid for it. Despite her success, she constantly receives criticism for her work but she continues pushing forward full speed with her career. Scott regards herself as a feminist and supports equality for women in all walks of life, something she herself has struggled with.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctorow and Scott discussed about how different the graphic novel world is from the world of regular novels: the author has to make sure that the script and the outlines for the panels have to go together. Editing or changing scenes is harder as there are multiple people involved with its storyline. <\/span><\/p>\n

The third panel featured writers who wrote about characters rising up to adversity. Writers in this panel included Atia Abawi (<\/span>A Land of Permanent Goodbyes<\/span><\/i>), Jennifer Brody (<\/span>The United Continuums<\/span><\/i>), Nicole Maggi (<\/span>What They Don\u2019t Know<\/span><\/i>) and Sara Santana (<\/span>The Sanctuary<\/span><\/i>). These writers focused on characters that had certain impediments preventing them from living a happy life, or characters that had to face adversity by themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n

Maggi\u2019s book was based on a girl who had been sexually abused and Maggi believed her her novel reflects a lot of lives. She said that there should be more measures taken to prevent such acts from happening and more resources available for victims. Maggi stated that she had stressed on making her character relatable and on also breaking the barriers of \u201cguys books\u201d vs. \u201cgirls books\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

Abawi, a reporter and war correspondent, spoke about how her book reflected the lives of several Syrian refugees whose lives were being stripped out of their control by the recent turmoil. Abawi herself has immigrated from the Middle East due to warlike conditions in her country and now, she returned to these areas to cover the news and listen to people\u2019s stories. She parallels her book with <\/span>The Book Thief<\/span><\/i>, Zusak\u2019s book is narrated by Death whereas Abawi book is narrated by Destiny. <\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast to Atawi and Maggi\u2019s real life stories, Santana and Brody\u2019s novels have a slight dystopian twist. Santana\u2019s book is about a zombie apocalypse where the characters\u2019 loved ones turn into zombies who want to finish her. Brody\u2019s novel takes readers into a different era where humans live under the ocean and in space. Three different characters from three different backgrounds need to come together to overcome an unjust authoritative figure. <\/span><\/p>\n

The last and final panel had authors Bree Barton (<\/span>Heart of Thorns<\/span><\/i>), Gwen C. Katz (<\/span>Among the Red Stars<\/span><\/i>), Mary E. Pearson (<\/span>Dance of Thieves<\/span><\/i>) and Amy Trueblood (<\/span>Nothing but Sky<\/span><\/i>). All four of these authors discussed about their characters who had a \u201cdie trying\u201d attitude that successfully took them through various obstacles in life. <\/span><\/p>\n

The event ended with a Book Blitz, sponsored by Bridge to Books, where attendees could get a free copy of their favorite reads to take home. \u00a0The PLYA Festival this year was indeed a success, exposing the attendees to various aspects of an author\u2019s life and the work that went behind publishing a book. Hearing from the authors themselves was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it connected the readers with their favorite books and its plot lines even more. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alaina Joby, age 16 The much awaited Pasadena Loves Young Adult Festival attracted a crowd of people this year; with fifteen up and coming authors visiting and people flocking in to hear their panels, it was undoubtedly a successful event. The day was divided into panels, each dedicated to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":4779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-4776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","tag-book-festival"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/2018_plya_updated_square.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5ZwbD-1f2","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4780,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2018\/pasadena-loves-ya-2018-photos-and-thank-yous\/","url_meta":{"origin":4776,"position":0},"title":"Pasadena Loves YA 2018 – photos and thank yous","author":"Jane Gov","date":"October 4, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Our fifth annual teen book festival, Pasadena Loves YA, featured 15 authors, 4 panels, and a book blitz. \u00a0 We owe many thanks to everyone who helped with the event including: \u00a0 Our featured authors -- who donated their time and expertise, and took care of their own travel arrangements\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Special Events"","block_context":{"text":"Special Events","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/programs-and-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/plya2018_BookBlitz.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/plya2018_BookBlitz.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/plya2018_BookBlitz.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/plya2018_BookBlitz.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/plya2018_BookBlitz.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2018\/10\/plya2018_BookBlitz.jpg?resize=1400%2C800 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7353,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2023\/pasadena-loves-ya-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":4776,"position":1},"title":"Pasadena Loves YA 2023","author":"Jane Gov","date":"October 7, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Pasadena Loves YA book festival returned to the Pasadena Public Library on Saturday, September 23 at our newest library location, Jefferson Branch Library. The festival hosted 17 Young Adult authors and presented a series of panels and book signings. Guests received a free tote bag and Vroman's Bookstore held a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured Event"","block_context":{"text":"Featured Event","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/featured-event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/plya2023_book_giveaway_by-redgie_reads_smaller-rotated.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/plya2023_book_giveaway_by-redgie_reads_smaller-rotated.jpeg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/plya2023_book_giveaway_by-redgie_reads_smaller-rotated.jpeg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/plya2023_book_giveaway_by-redgie_reads_smaller-rotated.jpeg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/plya2023_book_giveaway_by-redgie_reads_smaller-rotated.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5157,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2019\/plya2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":4776,"position":2},"title":"Pasadena Loves YA 2019","author":"Jane Gov","date":"September 28, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Our sixth annual teen book festival, Pasadena Loves YA, featured 19 authors, 4 panels, and a book blitz.\u00a0 We owe many thanks to everyone who helped with the event including:\u00a0 Our featured authors -- who donated their time and expertise, and took care of their own travel arrangements The panel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured Event"","block_context":{"text":"Featured Event","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/featured-event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/09\/book-blitz.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/09\/book-blitz.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/09\/book-blitz.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/09\/book-blitz.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":669,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2014\/teen-book-festival-recap\/","url_meta":{"origin":4776,"position":3},"title":"Teen Book Festival — photos, recap, & thank yous","author":"Jane Gov","date":"May 19, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"On April 26, nearly 150 guests gathered at Central Library to meet, get books signed, and hear 20 YA and middle grade authors speak at the 2014 Pasadena Teen Book Festival. \u00a0Teens, Bridge to Books, and YA Book Council volunteers managed registration, setup, and book signing lines as guests poured\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Special Events"","block_context":{"text":"Special Events","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/programs-and-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2014\/05\/ptbf_katie3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2014\/05\/ptbf_katie3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2014\/05\/ptbf_katie3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3304,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2016\/pasadena-loves-ya-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":4776,"position":4},"title":"Pasadena Loves YA 2016","author":"Jane Gov","date":"October 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Pasadena Loves YA. This was our third teen festival here at Pasadena Public Library, and it\u2019s quite amazing to see how it has grown. \u00a0We hoped you enjoyed meeting 19 amazing YA authors and making friends with other fans. Thank you to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Special Events"","block_context":{"text":"Special Events","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/programs-and-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2016\/10\/plya16.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4075,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2017\/plya\/","url_meta":{"origin":4776,"position":5},"title":"Pasadena Loves YA 2017","author":"Jane Gov","date":"October 3, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Our fourth annual teen book festival, Pasadena Loves YA, featured 17 authors, 4 panels, and a book blitz. We owe a gazillion thanks to everyone who helped with the event including all the participating authors who not only donated their time and expertise, but also took care of their own\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Special Events"","block_context":{"text":"Special Events","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/programs-and-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/10\/plya2017_LoveandTrust.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/10\/plya2017_LoveandTrust.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/10\/plya2017_LoveandTrust.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/10\/plya2017_LoveandTrust.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/10\/plya2017_LoveandTrust.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/10\/plya2017_LoveandTrust.jpg?resize=1400%2C800 4x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4776"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4777,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4776\/revisions\/4777"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}