Youth Events

Kids’ Poetry Workshop with Janet Wong

Saturday, April 17  -  9:30-10:30am  -  Kress Gallery Riverpark Square
Ages 8+
Young writers will learn about rhyme, repetition, and rhythm as they craft a poem based on a childhood memory. Acclaimed children’s author Janet Wong will show writers who become frustrated by trying to find exciting writing topics, that the best writing comes out of everyday experiences.

 

Essence of Childhood Kid's Reading

Janet Wong (with Lore Segal)

Saturday, April 17  -  10:45-11:45am  -  Kress Gallery, Riverpark Square

Seeing the world from three feet off the ground offers a particular outlook on life. Acclaimed children's author, Janet Wong, is all grown up, yet she captures this youthful perspective in her writing. As the author of over twenty children's books, her poems and stories celebrate the differences that make each child distinctive.

To keep her characters universal, Wong doesn’t always name her characters, using “the girl” or “the boy.” “They could be you, me, a friend, or a neighbor.” In fact, many of her stories come from the people—or even pets—around her. She even uses her own experiences to show kids that everyone has a story to share and how fun sharing it can be.

After founding the UCLA Immigrant Children's Art Project-a program focused on teaching refugee children to express themselves through art-and working as a lawyer for many years, Wong realized how important it was for her to work with kids. After visiting a children's bookstore, she thought "why not?" That's the motto her grandfather taught her to live by. And apparently it worked! Her inspirational career change has been featured in numerous articles and television shows, including Oprah.

At this reading, she will share about her writing process and read from her latest book Me and Rolly Maloo, which explores peer-pressure and cheating. Lore Segal will also share her stories like The Story of Mrs. Lovewright and Purrless Her Cat. Segal writes children's books capturing an edginess uncommon to most American children's books. Her striking stories stretch children's imaginations into different shapes, echoing the excitement of Grimm's fairy tales, while teaching children about morals and respect.

 

So You Want to be an Author Workshop with Randall Platt

Saturday, April 17  -  10-11am  -  Auntie’s Bookstore
Ages 10+
Through writing exercises, Randall Platt will get your creative juices flowing and discuss what young authors can write and publish right now. From inspiration to perspiration, kids will get an inside look at the world of being a writer from an author dedicated to creativity and resilience.

Spokane Civic Theatre Presents Poetry Live!

Saturday, April 17  -  2pm  -  Spokane Civic Theatre  -  $5 donation
All ages
Actors from the Spokane Civic Theatre will present the winning poems from the Spokane Civic Theatre’s Youth Poetry Contest on the main stage at the Spokane Civic Theatre. Come see poetry from young writers presented in a fun and dramatic way.

 

Coming of Age Reading

Victor Lodato (with Randall Platt)

Saturday, April 17  -  11:30-12:30pm  -  Auntie's Bookstore

The coming-of-age story traditionally features a young protagonist transitioning from child to young adult. It's a tale of growth, wisdom, and insight into self and circumstance. But in reality, coming-of-age is not limited to teenagers. Regardless of age, we all pass through transitional phases on our journey to become who we are.

Victor Lodato has come-of-age at least three times in his writing career: once transitioning from performance artist to poet, next from poet to playwright, and finally from award-winning playwright to novelist. His debut novel Mathilda Savitch, has been noted as a stunning portrait of grief and youthful imagination. As author Mary Karr says, the "pitch-perfect voice of this book grabs you up and won't let go." In this story, fourteen-year-old Mathilda struggles with her family's deterioration following her sister's sudden death, while grappling with questions about sex, religion, trust, tragedy, and fear of growing up. Lodato touches on many matters surrounding coming-of-age experiences, yet his work showcases how stories from the perspective of young people can also resonate for adults. The persistence of discovery and rediscovery in our lives is something we can all relate to.

At this reading, Lodato will perform selections from his debut novel. He will be joined by Randall Platt who proudly "writes fiction for adults and young adults and for people who don't own up to being either." Her work also addresses themes surrounding coming-of-age. Platt's latest novel, Hellie Jondoe, explores the adventures of an orphaned thirteen- year-old who heads west and runs right into a family that needs her. Readers of all ages will enjoy this historical novel set against the backdrop of the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.

Willow Springs Teen Writing Workshop

Saturday, April 17  -  2:30-4:30pm  -  Hotel Lusso
Teens
Aspiring high school writers are invited to share their poetry (three poems) or prose (up to eight pages of fiction or non-fiction) with their peers in small groups that are led by the editors of EWU’s nationally-recognized literary journal, Willow Springs. Students must bring four copies of each piece. To register contact Amaris Ketchum at willowspringsewu@gmail.com or 509.359.7435.

Where We’ve Been & Where We Are Going

Performance Poetry Workshop with Jon Sands
Saturday, April 17  -  4-5pm  -  Kress Gallery at Riverpark Square
Teens
How do we use art to traverse the past, uncover a future of possibility, and all the while stay true to our current existence? In this workshop, Jon Sands will offer his expertise to teens in both writing and presentation of poetry that conveys our human experience. Bring a notebook, a pen, and a sense of adventure.
 
All events are free unless otherwise noted

Go to Youth and Teen Poetry Slams.