Jewell Parker Rhodes While the books I read as a child lacked diversity in the strict sense, they didn’t lack values. Reading, I didn’t see me externally, but I felt me – my humanity. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes I inhaled books. I loved Classics Illustrated comic books. These were books that I could afford to buy after I turned in pop bottles for change. ‘The Prince and the Pauper,’ ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ ‘A Journey to the Center of the Earth.’ Male narratives filled with adventure and self-discovery. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes I grew up feeling ‘less than.’ I was the sad, shy child hiding in the hall closet beneath coats. I’d wait for my grandmother’s voice to call, ‘Jewell, Jewell.’ I was lost, waiting to be found. I thought being found, I’d be happier, better. All the while, I read stories. Stories with both truth and lies. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes I was born in a ghetto on the North Side of Pittsburgh. I was born as Emmett Till was dying and the civil rights era was being born. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes Kids search for what’s relevant, what connects with their life… now. They know bad things happen like Hurricane Katrina. Through character driven stories, they explore what it’s like to survive, thrive, and become more themselves. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes I love historical fiction because there’s a literal truth, and there’s an emotional truth, and what the fiction writer tries to create is that emotional truth. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes Every time a bookseller hands a child a book, they are doing something that is the heart and soul of the American dream and the American ideal. It’s a very sacred tradition. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker RhodesThankful My mother had abandoned the family, so grandmother raised me. And she was instrumental in that she taught me that the world is a glorious place. She taught me to embrace humanity. And she’d say there’s never an excuse for joy. And to be thankful. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
ForgivenessJewell Parker RhodesRespect Prejudice is sinful. All blood flows red. And the most harmful and foolish kind of prejudice is prejudice against yourself. Every woman is your sister, and every woman needs her sisters. So try to give other women the courtesy of your compassion, respect, and forgiveness. Love yourself despite – and because of – your flaws. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
ChristmasJewell Parker Rhodes I always wanted to write for children. When I was growing up, we were really poor. My mother had left, and it was all a mess. So I lived in my head a lot, and I would get lots of books for Christmas – from librarians and teachers – and they just fed my imagination. – Jewell Parker Rhodes
