Jewell Parker Rhodes has always loved reading and writing stories. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she now teaches creative writing at Arizona State University. She also travels globally teaching creative writing to middle grade, high school, and college students.
Jewell Parker Rhodes is the Piper Endowed Chair and founding artistic director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University. She has won numerous awards for her books for children and adults. Ninth Ward, her first novel for young readers, was named a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, a Notable Book for a Global Society, and a Today show Al’s Book Club for Kids selection.
Rhodes is not only a tremendous writer, she is an ardent supporter of diversity in literature, particularly children’s literature. Last months, during the ABC Children’s Institute 2015, she gave a moving and very personal keynote addres explaining why diversity in children’s books is important to all readers. The crowd reacted with a standing ovation. You may read her speech here. ?
