The Sequel! Arlene, the Rebel Queen!
Posted on: January 10, 2013
It’s almost here! The sequel to Arlene On the Scene will be available March 26th, pretty much everywhere. If your bookstore doesn’t have it in stock, tell them they should order it! 🙂
Kids are always asking us, what will the sequel be about? Well, the story is about change: how to make it and how to take it. Arlene and her friends land in a heap of trouble when they try to lead a revolution to make Greenwood School more “green.” There are new characters: Mr. Goldberg, the new fifth grade teacher, and Arlene’s Uncle James, who is a little different, just like Arlene. Oh, and the really tough change is that Arlene and Lauren kind of “break up.”
But if you ask me, this book is about something bigger than just these plot points. While the first book told the story of Arlene learning how her disability can be part of a positive and powerful vision of herself, the sequel is about Arlene unleashing that very power. This book is about how one person–one young person–make that one young person who happens to live with a disability–can indeed change the world. Thank you, Margaret Mead, for pointing this out.
Check out an excerpt from the book here. Get yourself a copy, and if you’re local or if I’m coming to your school soon, you know I’ll be happy to sign it for you, talk with you about what you thought of the story. My ideas come from real life, and the kids I’ve talked to during these past two years have driven the content of this book, from the Green Team at Olney Elementary, to the great essays written by students at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, to my friends in my home state of Rhode Island: Kizirian Elementary, Washington Oaks Elementary, Narragansett Elementary–so many great ideas from all the kids I’ve met! I keep a treasure box of the thank-you letters and cards I receive from students, and every last one is in there. Just like we talk about when I visit your school, we are all so incredibly connected. I don’t give a speech; we have a conversation.
Don’t forget to keep us in mind for an author visit and presentation about disability and difference this semester. Just send me an email. And don’t forget to get your copy of Arlene, the Rebel Queen.
The art of rebellion lives on!
4 Responses to "The Sequel! Arlene, the Rebel Queen!"
January 18, 2013 at 10:37 am
Thanks for the shout out–Started reading Arlene on the Scene- the kids love it and think your wrtiting style is very funny–Cant wait for your visit. Susan
[…] something that can be embraced rather than merely tolerated or accepted. With our sequel, Arlene, the Rebel Queen, we added the powerful message that every young person has the potential to change the world. In […]
Arlene is on the SCENE 
January 15, 2013 at 12:48 pm
We loved the first book and look forward to buying and reading how Arlene becomes a rebel. I printed out the cover of the new book and have it in a lucite frame in the media center with the caption, sequel coming out March 26th! It has renewed interest in Arlene On the Scene, as both copies are now checked out.
January 15, 2013 at 1:04 pm
That’s great news! Thanks for helping to spread the word!