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rebecca stead

@rebstead

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Archived account. Writing for young people. Website is linked, email me. ♥️

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Magically shiny! Two weeks from pub day!RSVP links for virtual and IRL launch events are in bio. Hoping some of you can join.💕#TheExperiment by @rebstead

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a year ago

ANYTHING with the wonderful @graceyyz is a long dream come true for me. Childhood and parenthood both fed this story. It's about change and love. There's a William Steig Easter egg. Plus cake. Coming April 29th from @chroniclekidsbooks. by @rebstead

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2 years ago

I don't have many pictures of myself in my childhood bedroom. I love this one because it reminds me that I am still this person with notes and paper hearts taped over her desk. I spent uncountable hours here, arranging my stuffed animals, re-reading comic books, playing records and secretly dancing, making collaged cards for my mom and throwing toys for our cats Cotton and Arthur, both of whom fetched.

Later, still here, I talked on the phone for long stretches with one ear on the pillow, tipping the receiver against my head so I didn't have to hold it. I lunged to press Play and Record on my tape deck when one of my songs came on WPLJ. I did lots of homework, sometimes getting tiny licks of satisfaction from writing or math, always annoyed by my smudged plates for drafting class. (A full YEAR of drafting was required at my high school. Have I complained to you about this yet?).

It doesn't surprise 57-year-old me that I became a writer of books for kids, but I would have been surprised by it when I was this kid. I read for fun. I didn't write for fun unless you count homemade Snoopy comic strips.

For me, writing a book is like making a room, living in it alone for a while, and then leaving the door open on my way out. This analogy comes from Zadie Smith, and I have never heard a better one. I can't properly express how grateful I feel to every person who has spent time in one of my rooms.

Does this sound like a goodbye? It isn't one. But my plans for 2026 include little social media and book-promotion time. I may post pictures to say hi, but I won't be scrolling.

This is not about retreat. It's about retreating LESS. So please be in touch. My email address is in my bio.

I will be visiting classrooms next year, both virtually and in person. If your class is reading one of my books and would like to talk, let me know and we'll set up a zoom or a visit. Budget will never be an obstacle for public schools.

I have a handful of projects in my head and most of them are not books, though I may explore teaching. If so, I'll probably let you know here.

Meanwhile, happy new year. May you find some joy in 2026, and bring some. taken in New York City by @rebstead

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10 months ago

by @rebstead

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a year ago

♥️ It's pub day, and my mom's pub-day tuna noodle casserole has landed. (Along with some beautiful yellow roses.) by @rebstead

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a year ago

11am Saturday 9/20, @karinaisreadingandwriting and I will talk about our new MG books at @booksaremagicbk (Montague Street store). Happy coincidence: it's also kids day at @bkbookfest just down the block, and many wonderful book creators will be there, including @writeinbk, @adam_gidwitz, @yumhyewon, @ritawilliamsgarcia, @ibizoboi, @ohtruth, @mbalia1, @wjpumphrey, @pacylin, @craigkofifarmer, @rutasepetysauthor, @stevesheinkin, @mr.adamrex and many more. Check out the full schedule and stop by @booksaremagicbk on Montague to see us if it works (or just wave as you pass by if it doesn't ♥️). by @rebstead

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a year ago

This Tuesday September 16th the wonderful @jenniferlholm will join me for a virtual launch of THE EXPERIMENT (and I will also be sneaking in questions about her terrific upcoming MG novel OUTSIDE.)
Hosted by @josephbethcincy booksellers.
RSVP should be in my bio. Please join us for lift-off! *spaceship emoji* taken in The Internet by @rebstead

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a year ago

Celebration hat! Happy 10th anniversary to the wise and wonderful humans at @thebookgrp.

And while I'm at it, this month marks twenty years with my one, my only, and my forever: Faye Bender. Where would I be without you? I don't wanna know. ♥️
(ps thanks for the photos, KC. I'm the worst.) #sisterhood @fayebender by @rebstead

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a year ago

Working on crafty bookmarks to be included with The Experiment pre-orders at @oblongbooks and @booksaremagicbk. With big thanks to @randibeth67 for carving this tail stamp to inspire me while I was still writing the book and wasn't sure I could pull it off. by @rebstead

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a year ago

HOORAY. There's a new paperback cover for When You Reach Me from the incredible @r_kikuo_johnson. I've admired Kikuo's work in The New Yorker and I'm completely thrilled. Thank you, Kikuo and the @randomhousekids art department!

P.S. The hardcover remains original. I forever love @sophieblackall's painting of Miranda's world. by @rebstead

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a year ago

First review is official and really nice! (Thank you, Kirkus.)

"The pacing is superb, neatly blending family dynamics, friendship, and tween romance with page-turning mystery, adventure, and horror.
Compelling and page-turning.
(Science fiction. 9-13)" by @rebstead

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a year ago

ALA! I'm signing THE EXPERIMENT on Sunday at 9:30am (@mackidsbooks booth 1918) followed by a panel at 10:30 with the fabulous @craigkofifarmer and the wonderful @kaaauthor. And Saturday afternoon I'll be signing ANYTHING (illustrated by *Caldecott honoree* Gracey Zhang) at 3pm in Chronicle booth 1817. Really hoping to see some of you.♥️ @americanlibraryassociation #ALAAC25 #MACKIDSALA by @rebstead

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a year ago