Thursday, May 1, 2008 | Instituto Cervantes | New York

With Marina Budhos, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Patricia McCormick, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Jutta Richter

Cosponsored by Instituto Cervantes the Consulate General of Spain

Traditional coming-of-age stories involve struggles with family, community, and self. But young adults often contend with antagonists of national or even global scope, such as political unrest, poverty, and cultural imperialism. A panel of award-winning authors reads stories of characters pressured by forces wholly out of their control. The writers talk about characters who make decisions and take action; about the global society, its benefits and discontents; and about literature as a force to counter society’s chronic ills.

 LISTEN
• Entire event

• Discussion & Q&A
• Michael Patrick MacDonald reads from Easter Rising
• Patricia McCormick reads from Sold
• Pam Muñoz Ryan reads from Esperanza Rising
• Jutta Richter reads from The Cat or How I Lost Eternity

From the PEN Blogs

• Richard Grayson
Small World, Big Changes: A Program for High School Students began a bit later than its scheduled 10 a.m. start time due to problems in the subway system which caused various participants and audience members to be delayed. [More]