Big Apple Diaries Debut Buzz
This has been a crazy time. I wanted to remember and gather some of the launch time memories, articles and more.
My husband’s family showed up to pizza night celebration of Big Apple Diaries wearing some custom crafted t-shirts. <3
Big Apple Diaries Featured on BBC News Worldwide:
Honestly this is so insane I have a whole separate blog post about the BBC interview.
Comics Creator Chat - Memoirs - First Second Live on Instagram:
This was an amazing opportunity to talk face to face with other graphic memoir creators. So cool!
So cool talking to fellow memoirists.
Creator Chat with ALIA Graphic
ALIA Graphic Novels and Comics is intended to be a resource and network for library and information professionals who are responsible for and/or interested in comics and graphic novels. The group aims to support library staff interested in all aspects of collection development, advocacy and programming related to graphic novels and comics.
Official Launch with Word Up Community Bookstore:
Word Up is a multilingual, general-interest community bookshop and arts space in Washington Heights, New York City, committed to preserving and building a neighborhood in which all residents help each other to live better informed and more expressive lives, using books as an instrument of reciprocal education and exchange, empowering not only themselves, but their community.
Chatting with Remy Lai
Story Time: 9/11 20th Anniversary Kids Panel with Greenlight Books:
This event in particular felt very important, as it was commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11. It was a huge honor to discuss this with other amazing creators from various backgrounds and perspectives.
All of us!
My number one fan in Brooklyn tuning in.
A peek into one of my school visits this month:
I visited Claremont College and Sacred Heart Geeveston. It was just amazing and the questions and comments will stick with me for a long time.
Reviews and Media Collection:
As seen in BBC Worldwide: 9/11 attacks: ‘I saw the world as a scary place for the first time’
As seen in Shelf Awareness: “In this diary-style graphic memoir, a Puerto Rican middle schooler in New York City documents her embarrassments, joys and sorrows in genuine, comedic and moving cartoon-embellished entries.”
ABC Hobart Radio Interview - Reliving a Childhood during September 11
As seen in The Manhattan Mercury: “Alyssa Bermudez bases “Big Apple Diaries” on her own diaries of growing up in New York, so her graphic memoir accessibly blends the trauma of 9/11 with the ups and downs of everyday life.”
As seen in The Queens Public Library - 9/11 Reading Recommendations and Resources for Discussion with Children
As seen in San Francisco Chronicle Datebook Review: “Reconstructed from the author’s own memories, this disarming graphic novel grafts optimism onto tragedy to plot the path forward.”
An interview with Fuse 8, A School Library Journal Blog by Elizabeth Bird
As seen in School Library Journal, “Educators seeking firsthand accounts of 9/11 will want to share this with their students, while middle graders looking for an engrossing graphic novel in the vein of Raina Telgemeier’s or Shannon Hale’s work will be pleased.”
As seen in Kirkus Reviews, “An authentic and moving time capsule of middle school angst, trauma, and joy.”
As seen in Publishers Weekly, “Combining eye-catching layouts with frank vulnerability … Bermudez puts her whole heart on the page, and the love she holds for her younger self can be deeply felt in every entry.”
As seen in Sequential Tart, “Super great stuff -- good for some history and points of view and ... a journal of just growing up.”
As seen in A Mighty Girl, We Remember: Children’s Books About 9/11 for the 20th Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks
As seen in Reading Middle Grade, 52 Best Middle-Grade Graphic Novels, Review Here
As seen in No Flying No Tights
Guest Article for The Children’s Book Review - Illustration Inspiration