Patty Campbell

Young adult literature and my career as a YA lit specialist began about the same year--1967. That's 49 years--a heck of a lot of YA novels. So I've seen the genre develop and trends come and go. My favorite job was as Assistant Coordinator of Young Adult Services for Los Angeles Public Library, working hand in hand with the inimitable Mel Rosenberg. My favorite book-writing experience was for Passing the Hat, which led me all across the U.S., hanging out with jugglers, mimes, guitarists, and other street performers. And my most important book--undoubtedly War Is..., an anthology of writings by soldiers, survivors, and storytellers from Mark Twain to Bob Dylan about war and why we've got to stop doing it. I've been on nearly all ALA's YA committees and served as the president of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE. Both organizations have honored me with their top YA award, given for "excellence in service to reading and teens."