October 7, 2019 Raising Readers Tweens & Teens Meet Author Jewell Parker Rhodes This October, tweens and teens from Trying Together’s Raising Readers Together Club got a chance to meet “Ghost Boys” author, Jewell Parker Rhodes. About In the Spring of 2019, tweens and teens in Trying Together’s Raising Readers Club read “Ghost Boys,” a heartbreaking story about a twelve-year-old boy named Jerome. Weaving historical and socio-political elements into the story, the novel explores “the complexities of today’s world and how one boy grows to understand American blackness in the aftermath of his own death.” Pittsburgh-native Jewell Parker Rhodes met with our Raising Readers tweens and teens early this month to autograph their books and answer questions about writing techniques. Running weekly, the Raising Readers Together Club explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. About the Author After entering college as a dance major, Jewell Parker Rhodes discovered that there were novels written by African Americans, for African Americans, and from there, her writing career took flight. After publishing six novels for adults, two writing guides, and a memoir, Jewell continued on to publish five children’s books, including the New York Times bestseller and #1 Kids’ Indie Next Pick “Ghost Boys.” When she’s not writing, Jewell regularly visits schools to talk about her books with children and teaches writing at Arizona State University. More Information To learn more about Jewell Parker Rhodes, visit her website. For more information on the Raising Readers Together Club, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.567.1304 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org.