Harold Underdown

The British Book Awards Shortlists The shortlists for the 2026 British Book Awards Books of the Year have been announced. There are two specifically children's categories, but the new Graphic Novels category has several children's books in it and Illustrator of the Year is entirely children's illustrators. Children's author AF Steadman also represents in the shortlist for Author of the Year. Here are the shortlists:

The British Book Awards Shortlists

The shortlists for the 2026 British Book Awards Books of the Year have been announced. There are two specifically children's categories, but the new Graphic Novels category has several children's books in it and Illustrator of the Year is entirely children's…

It’s day 98 of the ICE occupation of MN.

For almost 100 days, we’ve been doing everything we can to protect our immigrant neighbors. This is the next step to keeping our neighbors safe.

Call on Mayor Frey to sign the 60 day pre-eviction notice.

The 2026 #PBParty contest starts in one week. Can you believe it's almost here?

Are you ready?

The judges and I can't wait to read your entries soon.

So a deliberate choice by an experienced writer is simply a mistake... I see what you mean. Sadly, I think a lot of people will fall for it.

What is this supposed to prove?

Trump went to war and surrendered when hit by $4/gallon gas prices....

34 countries allow mail-in voting, most of them in Europe. Every single state, red and blue, allows mail-in voting, though a few require an approved excuse. It was never an issue until Trump lost and needed a scapegoat.

A purple crayon, the logo of Harold Underdown's website.

Reminder that I'm available for #kidlit editorial and consulting work on picture books, novels, nonfiction, and more. Information, including my rates, is on my website, but I'm happy to answer questions here. Please pass this on to anyone who might benefit. Thanks!

www.underdown.org/pced.htm

Gullible, Cynical America The trouble with believing anything and nothing at the same time

The data economy has made us dumber in ways that also make us vulnerable to authoritarian takover. We are have become both cynical and gullible in the sense we think we are too jaded be fooled and as a result are tricked more easily www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Just a reminder that Muslims have been on this continent since the first arrival of non-Indigenous people. They were among the first generation of Americans, and have been here ever since.

Are you a teacher, librarian, caregiver, or citizen of the US? Then you will want this book, which provides a gorgeous, thoughtful introduction to Indigenous history, life, and culture -- a modern heir to the classic THE PEOPLE SHALL CONTINUE. Check it out!

They are within us, as they always have been. The challenge is to set them loose...

When DOGE Unleashed ChatGPT on the Humanities

Some more context in this (gift) article from the NYT.

The reason DOGE bro is so incapable of articulating a definition of DEI is because they used ChatGPT to decide which grants promoted this nebulous concept, and that turned out to be almost every grant issued under Biden, including one I wrote.

Guess What Moderate Democratic Voters Aren’t Anymore? Moderate. Two new polls suggest that moderate Democrats, too, want higher taxes on the rich and some measure of economic populism. Moderate isn’t what it was in 1992.

Moderate Democrats with columns in newspapers are constantly saying the Democratic Party is way too liberal on "social" issues. Moderate Democratic voters in real life do not feel this way. With some polling data from @gelliottmorris.com and @dataforprogress.org. newrepublic.com/article/2074...

Tailored for Local and Family Historians (or anyone who has wanted to engage with archaeology in their place-based historical work but is unsure where to start):

#LocalHistory #Skystorians @balhnews.bsky.social

9 days in, the most basic question about the Iran war remains unanswered In just over a week, Trump and top administration officials have given at least 17 different responses about why the war began

WE STILL DON'T HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER ON THE MOST BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THE IRAN WAR

WHY did the U.S. go to war?

A Popular Information review of public statements over the last 9 days found 17 DIFFERENT EXPLAINATIONS. Many of which contradict each other.

🧵

Former Amazon Executive Greg Greeley Named CEO of Simon & Schuster
lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2026/03/form...

Jason Reynolds on What Fires the Imagination of Young Readers The best-selling author on why "inappropriate" topics may be exactly what teen readers need, and the importance of raising the hair on the backs of readers' necks in the first 50 pages.

Jason Reynolds on What Fires the Imagination of Young Readers | Edutopia

Also: "...most of the important change is collective."

Leeward Islands, Somerset, Glamorgan, Queensland and West Indies' very own, Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards. Many, many happy returns.

At Largest ICE Detention Camp, Staff Bet on Detainee Suicides, AP Reports Camp East Montana has received several 911 calls in the span of five months about immigrants trying to harm themselves.

Staff at the nation’s largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility have placed bets on which detainee will be the next to die by suicide, according to new reporting from the Associated Press based on 911 calls and detainee accounts.

‘Mass disenfranchisement’: The Slow, Methodical Attacks on Voting Ahead of Midterms In Dallas County on election night, mass confusion caused by a sudden rule change sent hundreds of voters to the wrong polling places. This is what modern voter suppression can look like: not always dramatic, but just confusing and discouraging enough to stop people from casting their ballot. Mother Jones’ Ari Berman weighs in “when you change laws and when you make voting more difficult right before an election, without giving people time to prepare, it can lead to the kind of mass disenfranchisement we saw in Dallas on Tuesday.”

Mass confusion unfolded at polling centers in Dallas County on primary night. That confusion was manufactured. It renewed fears of voter suppression ahead of the midterms. ProPublica's @dougbockclark.bsky.social warns "last minute changes to election laws can disenfranchise a lot of people." #Velshi

So according to the WSJ a US Senator conspired with another country to manipulate the US into starting a war, am I getting this right

Great interview with @mrschureads.bsky.social 🌟 "Khoa Le’s illustrations are so luminous, the entire book glows!... She brings to life the strange and exquisitely beautiful creatures that turn the night ocean into a sparkling carnival of lights."- @jilanne.bsky.social @lernerbooks.bsky.social 🌊

OK. I'll watch for the answer...

I'll guess: Ian Botham?

People Are Calling Meta Ray-Bans "Pervert Glasses" On Bluesky, users quickly embraced the term "pervert glasses" to refer to Meta's Ray Ban smart glasses, following a shocking investigation.

This is the correct nomenclature

futurism.com/future-socie...

Dismay as Hegseth urges Latin American allies to join ‘offense’ against cartels Critics sceptical Pentagon chief’s plan for increased military force – amid rising US intervention – will stop drug gangs

Latin America reacts with distress over Hegseth's sudden proclamation of regional hegemony and demand that Latin American governments either join the US military in illegally shooting drug suspects or the US military will operate on its own in (invade) their countries.

How long do electric vehicle batteries actually last? When the modern electric vehicle was still in its infancy, drivers worried that vehicles would need expensive battery replacements within a few years. But battery lifespans are exceeding expectations.

When the modern electric vehicle was still in its infancy, drivers worried that vehicles would need expensive battery replacements within a few years. But battery lifespans are exceeding expectations.

Hey! Brand new, free and exclusive music just for you! Sleep's Older Sister is a preview from our upcoming album THE WORLD IS TO DIG. Respectful request--please spread the word. Not on streaming sites, but for everyone at www.TMBGshop.com.