Glenbard Parent Series to host champion of diversity in literature

The Glenbard Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present a young adult author event with award-winning novelist Nicola Yoon at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Glenbard North High School, 990 N. Kuhn Road in Carol Stream.

Yoon's books "Everything, Everything" and "The Sun Is Also a Star" skyrocketed to the top of the New York Times bestseller list and were National Book finalists for Young People's Literature. "Everything, Everything" is about the thrill and heartbreak that happens when someone breaks out of their shell to do crazy, sometimes death-defying things, for love. "The Sun Is Also a Star" is a hopeful examination of self-determination, family and identity.

Yoon was born in Jamaica and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in engineering. She became a writer because she wanted her daughter, and other young multiracial youth, to see themselves in the pages of popular books. Yoon is associated with the We Need Diverse Books organization and promotes the representation of diversity in literature.

Yoon is also a recipient of the John Steptoe Award for New Talent. In her acceptance remarks, Yoon spoke of how books for young readers can (and need to) be mirrors. "When I was growing up, I didn't see a lot of characters that looked like me," she said. "I didn't know that my interior life mattered." It's important to recognize that "we are more than a stereotype. We are more than the struggle. We get to have joy."

Students are encouraged to attend the March 18 event. Glenbard North students will hear Yoon speak during the day.

Continuing professional development units are available.

GPS is generously sponsored by the Cebrin Goodman Center, Community Consolidated School District 93 Birth to 5 Community Coalition, Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), College of DuPage, DuPage Medical Group, Emmy Gaffey Foundation, Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative, Holiday Inn/Carol Stream and Prevention Leadership Team of the DuPage County Health Department.

For further information, visit www.glenbardgps.org or contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at (630) 942-7668 or gilda_ross@glenbard.org.