Latest News
By Teens, For Teens: Kelsey Ford ‘22MS Asks Teens What They Want in Young Adult Literature
By Alisa Libby (Simmons University, 2022)
Kelsey Ford '22MS is the creator of Bookish in the 'Burgh, Pittsburgh's Teen Book Festival, as well as the creator and adult advisor of the Bridges & Books Podcast and PA Reads YA, both projects created alongside teen leaders in Pennsylvania and designed to amplify teen voices and highlight and champion diverse books.
We Are Our Stories: A Virtual Auction to Protect the Rights of Teens (May 15 – 21)
By Littsburgh (2022)
PA Reads YA is disgusted by the continued education legislation that is harming LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC teens around the country. These unconstitutional laws, coupled with the extreme rise in book bans and challenges of YA books written both for and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC teens, are a direct threat to teens.
As teens, we wondered what we could do to support our peers around the country. We decided to call on the network of creators who make work for teens to support us in setting up an auction to raise funds for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU defends the rights of teens like us every day by fighting classroom censorship, working for racial justice, protecting LGBTQIA+ rights, and more.
A New Teen-Led Literary Organization: PA Reads YA!
By Littsburgh (2022)
The idea for PA Reads YA began in 2020 when teens in Pittsburgh started to brainstorm how they could connect with peers as well as authors of young adult literature virtually during the pandemic. With support from Kelsey Ford, creator of Bookish in the ‘Burgh, Pittsburgh’s Teen Book Festival, they formed the Bridges & Books Podcast before deciding to expand their programming reach to literary programs throughout Pennsylvania both virtually and in-person.
‘Bridges & Books’ a young-adult literature podcast by teens, for teens
By Joshua Axelrod (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2021)
For Molly Green, reading is more than just taking in what’s presented on the pages of her favorite books.
Bridges & Books Podcat is Putting the Teen Back in Teen Lit
By Maya Sungold (We Need Diverse Books, 2021)
Teens talking about why they’ve closed books in the middle of reading. Authors discussing their favorite literary tropes. Histories of famous bridges around the world paired with a book recommendation.
Bridges & Books, the Pittsburgh-based Teen Lit Podcast Created by Teens and for Teens, to Release First Season!
By Littsburgh (2021)
Bridges & Books, one of the first and only teen literature podcasts created and hosted by teens and for teens and featuring teen-hosted interviews with New York Times Bestselling and award-winning authors of teen literature, released their trailer for their first season.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “13 Luminaries to Meet in 2020”
They are dancing, reading, writing poetry, making music and videos, and even helping spread fashion. As 2020 begins, we introduce you to people who are illuminating new corners of the Pittsburgh community and bringing in new voices and ideas to enrich our region.
Bookish in the ‘Burgh Embraces Its Inner Nerd
By Kevin Gavin (WESA’s The Confluence, 2020)
On today's program: A festival hopes to spark a lifelong love of reading
Spotlight: Bookish in the ‘Burgh: Pittsburgh’s Teen Book Festival
By Littsburgh (2020)
Bookish in the ‘Burgh is a teen literature festival presented by Riverstone Books in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. The Festival aims to celebrate all things bookish through diverse and inclusive author panels and conversations, opportunities for teens to interact with their peers in a safe and fun environment, and book signing events for readers to meet their favorite authors of teen literature.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces details of second annual Bookish in the ‘Burgh
By Jordan Snowden (Pittsburgh City Paper, 2019)
After a successful pilot year, Bookish in the ‘Burgh, Pittsburgh's free teen literature festival, returns for a second year on March 27-28, 2020.
Kelsey Ford: On Balancing Your Career and Creative Pursuits
By Yin Chang (88 Cups of Tea, 2019)
Have you ever struggled with juggling a full-time job and staying inspired to pursue your creative goals? Or how about keeping yourself disciplined to reach your writing goals? We talk about it all and so much more with Kelsey Ford!