Harold Underdown
@hunderdown.bsky.social
I'm a children's book editor, teacher and workshop presenter, owner of The Purple Crayon website -- www.underdown.org
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
I post about #kidlit, but I do have opinions about other things and will share them as well.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Don Lemon is not the only reporter who was arrested by federal agents overnight — local independent journalist Georgia Fort just went live on FB to say federal agents were also at her door to take her into custody over her protest coverage in Minneapolis.
January 30, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Don Lemon is not the only reporter who was arrested by federal agents overnight — local independent journalist Georgia Fort just went live on FB to say federal agents were also at her door to take her into custody over her protest coverage in Minneapolis.
New imprint launching at Scholastic:
Scholastic’s NEXT Line to Start Up This Fall buff.ly/qPumXmK
January 30, 2026 at 3:26 PM
New imprint launching at Scholastic:
Reposted by Harold Underdown
A great opportunity here to help yourself and do some good for others at the same time. Publishing auction ends tonight.
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:20 PM
A great opportunity here to help yourself and do some good for others at the same time. Publishing auction ends tonight.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview with Elsewhere Editions of @archipelagobooks.bsky.social, but whatta four it is! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/30/e...
Elsewhere Editions Publisher Preview (Spring & Fall 2026)
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview but whatta four it is!
afuse8production.slj.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:14 PM
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview with Elsewhere Editions of @archipelagobooks.bsky.social, but whatta four it is! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2026/01/30/e...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Another push! The auction ends tonight at 11:45pm. The current bid for my critique is only at $100! A bargain) (humble brag!!!)! 😅
Friends! The auction to raise funds to support immigrant communities and those impacted by ICE is open! Link to bid on pb critique: www.32auctions.com/organization... There's a ton of other really cool stuff to bid on! Thank you! #kidlit
January 30, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Another push! The auction ends tonight at 11:45pm. The current bid for my critique is only at $100! A bargain) (humble brag!!!)! 😅
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Of course
January 30, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Of course
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Let’s be clear: there may have been “charges” but he was arrested for one reason only, which is that he’s a prominent Black man who used a mainstream media platform to express criticism of Trump.
Breaking:
The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late last night on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul — a case rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
Lemon has said he was simply reporting as a journalist. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late last night on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul — a case rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
Lemon has said he was simply reporting as a journalist. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Let’s be clear: there may have been “charges” but he was arrested for one reason only, which is that he’s a prominent Black man who used a mainstream media platform to express criticism of Trump.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I’m in there too! Bid early and often!
So many amazing donations from authors, illustrators, agents & editors to the #PublishingForMinnesota auction! Bidding now open, ends Jan. 30th:
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
#KidLit #BookSky #EduSky #WriterSky
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
#KidLit #BookSky #EduSky #WriterSky
January 30, 2026 at 1:33 PM
I’m in there too! Bid early and often!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
yes please, living life at text-only speed, no time for vid or aud. transcripts please tyvm.
look im a text based life form, im too old to adapt to getting my information from a video or a podcast, please provide transcripts that i can speed read and copy paste
January 30, 2026 at 12:29 PM
yes please, living life at text-only speed, no time for vid or aud. transcripts please tyvm.
Mamdani passes the snowstorm test: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Snow-shovelling Mamdani was hard to miss as New York tackled winter storm
Mayor was a highly visible presence during icy blizzard and, unlike some of his predecessors, seemed to get things right
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Mamdani passes the snowstorm test: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights) 2026 scholarship programs are open! The Nikki Grimes Scholarship in particular nudges Black Indigenous women to bring their voices to children's lit. Try a workshop or retreat! We need stories starring Black Indigenous characters.
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
January 29, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Boyds Mills (formerly Highlights) 2026 scholarship programs are open! The Nikki Grimes Scholarship in particular nudges Black Indigenous women to bring their voices to children's lit. Try a workshop or retreat! We need stories starring Black Indigenous characters.
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
boydsmills.org/apply-for-a-...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
What is Nick Shirley?
Slop doesn’t need to be AI-generated
www.theverge.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I’d love to hear a Democrats calling for a general amnesty for undocumented immigrants. They could put limits on it, like no criminal record in the last 10 years if they think it’s a step too far, but they should be reminding people that Ronald Reagan supported an amnesty back in the 1980s.
January 29, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I’d love to hear a Democrats calling for a general amnesty for undocumented immigrants. They could put limits on it, like no criminal record in the last 10 years if they think it’s a step too far, but they should be reminding people that Ronald Reagan supported an amnesty back in the 1980s.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
This has generally been the response whenever I've asked military people to review domestic police raids. But the stuff we're seeing from ICE and Border Patrol is especially bumbling and amateurish thuggery.
We asked an expert to tell us what they thought of ICE's military moves. It was worse than I thought (but the writing is great) www.wired.com/story/ice-pr...
ICE Pretends It’s a Military Force. Its Tactics Would Get Real Soldiers Killed
WIRED asked an active military officer to break down immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and elsewhere.
www.wired.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:35 PM
This has generally been the response whenever I've asked military people to review domestic police raids. But the stuff we're seeing from ICE and Border Patrol is especially bumbling and amateurish thuggery.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Teacher & librarian friends - There are some amazing deals to be had on virtual school visits in the Publishing for Minnesota fundraiser! Here's everything in that category - bidding ends tomorrow morning! www.32auctions.com/organization...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Teacher & librarian friends - There are some amazing deals to be had on virtual school visits in the Publishing for Minnesota fundraiser! Here's everything in that category - bidding ends tomorrow morning! www.32auctions.com/organization...
Boyds Mills--formerly the Highlights Foundation--is taking applications for 2026 scholarships!
OUR 2026 SCHOLARSHIP WINDOW IS NOW OPEN!
Boyds Mills offers scholarships each year thanks to the generous support of our community!
Apply now!
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄
January 22 – February 9
Click the link in our bio for all the details!
Boyds Mills offers scholarships each year thanks to the generous support of our community!
Apply now!
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄
January 22 – February 9
Click the link in our bio for all the details!
January 29, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Boyds Mills--formerly the Highlights Foundation--is taking applications for 2026 scholarships!
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I hate newsroom layoffs, but they did this to themselves
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
CBS, Post blind themselves when America needs eyes on the ground |Will Bunch
Two iconic U.S. newsrooms slash reporting and stress opinion writing even as Minnesota proves the need for factual journalism.
www.inquirer.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I hate newsroom layoffs, but they did this to themselves
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
CBS News and Washington Post choose worst possible moment to lay off reporters, stress punditry - right as the streets of Minneapolis are showing how journalism can beat back government lies
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/cbs-...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
"This is not legitimate. This is Donald Trump's obsession with losing the 2020 election." @dougbockclark.bsky.social @jenafifield.bsky.social for @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
FBI’s Search of Georgia Election Center Is “Dangerous,” Experts Warn
The search warrant, which sought 2020 election ballots, tabulator tapes, digital data and voter rolls from Fulton County, marked what experts described as a significant escalation in President Donald ...
www.propublica.org
January 29, 2026 at 3:24 PM
"This is not legitimate. This is Donald Trump's obsession with losing the 2020 election." @dougbockclark.bsky.social @jenafifield.bsky.social for @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
"I'm coming to Boston and I'm bringing hell with me."
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 29, 2026 at 3:32 PM
"I'm coming to Boston and I'm bringing hell with me."
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
--Homan in February
"Do I expect violence to escalate? Absolutely."
-- Tom Homan in March
"I actually thought about getting up and throwing that man a beating right there in the middle of the room"
-- Homan in July, referring to a D congressman
Reposted by Harold Underdown
I'm available--for #kidlit consulting and editorial work. If you're wrestling with a MG novel that isn't quite landing, working to increase the impact of a NF manuscript, sorting through and polishing multiple PB mss., I can help. Info. here and on linked pages: www.underdown.org/pced.htm
January 28, 2026 at 9:55 PM
I'm available--for #kidlit consulting and editorial work. If you're wrestling with a MG novel that isn't quite landing, working to increase the impact of a NF manuscript, sorting through and polishing multiple PB mss., I can help. Info. here and on linked pages: www.underdown.org/pced.htm
This. Think about your impact.
Using gen. A.I. to make slop imagery to go with any anti-fascist statement isn't any sort of flex as it was developed and promoted by the billionaires pushing fascism.
Just fucking stop using it.
Just fucking stop using it.
January 29, 2026 at 3:11 PM
This. Think about your impact.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Local Prosecutors Launch “FAFO” Team to Go After Feds Breaking the Law newrepublic.com/post/205831/... via @newrepublic.com
Local Prosecutors Launch “FAFO” Team to Go After Feds Breaking the Law
Prosecutors across the country have a plan to hold ICE and Border Patrol agents account—since the federal government won’t.
newrepublic.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Local Prosecutors Launch “FAFO” Team to Go After Feds Breaking the Law newrepublic.com/post/205831/... via @newrepublic.com
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Auction is now open! Time to bid generously.
I donated a virtual 45 minute school visit or Ask Me Anything call. I'll either do a prepared presentation for your school or have a call with you to talk about anything publishing related. Bidders choice.
#PublishingforMN
Auction opens Jan 29 at 12:14 am and closes on January 30 at 11:45. Act fast!
#PublishingforMN
Auction opens Jan 29 at 12:14 am and closes on January 30 at 11:45. Act fast!
January 29, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Auction is now open! Time to bid generously.
Reposted by Harold Underdown
May an American Spring come out of the depths of this harsh ICE-y winter, so the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and all the people who have died because of GOP's enabling of ICE brutality are not in vain. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Eight people have died in dealings with ICE so far in 2026. These are their stories
The high-profile killings of Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good are only two among many
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:30 PM
May an American Spring come out of the depths of this harsh ICE-y winter, so the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and all the people who have died because of GOP's enabling of ICE brutality are not in vain. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Harold Underdown
Winners of the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz Awards share their reactions in @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social:
Renée Watson: Newbery 'Tears Of Joy'
Cátia Chien: Caldecott 'Wait, Is This What I Think It Means?'
Cynthia Leitich Smith @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social: Printz 'Genuinely Gobmacked'
#KidLit
Renée Watson: Newbery 'Tears Of Joy'
Cátia Chien: Caldecott 'Wait, Is This What I Think It Means?'
Cynthia Leitich Smith @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social: Printz 'Genuinely Gobmacked'
#KidLit
January 29, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Winners of the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz Awards share their reactions in @pwkidsbookshelf.bsky.social:
Renée Watson: Newbery 'Tears Of Joy'
Cátia Chien: Caldecott 'Wait, Is This What I Think It Means?'
Cynthia Leitich Smith @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social: Printz 'Genuinely Gobmacked'
#KidLit
Renée Watson: Newbery 'Tears Of Joy'
Cátia Chien: Caldecott 'Wait, Is This What I Think It Means?'
Cynthia Leitich Smith @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social: Printz 'Genuinely Gobmacked'
#KidLit