I explained kindly that publishing children’s books was what I did, that I couldn’t possibly be interested in books for dead dull finished adults, and thank you very much but I had to get back to my desk to publish some more good books for bad children.” —Ursula Nordstom, lauded editor/publisher, upon being offered a position as an editor of adult fiction. In this course we will unpack the backpack of young-people’s literature and discover tools of crafting stories for children and young adults. We will pull out picture books, chapter books, middle grade and YA novels in order to gain an understanding of who our readers are and how to write for them. We will pull out vocabulary to enable us to identify the techniques and tools for developing character, plot, worlds that will engage and resonate with young readers. We will pull out pens and notebooks to generate material for all ages. By the end of the semester, each student will have gained an understanding of the forms and key craft elements writing for young people, generated material for all audiences, and committed to one workshop project. This course provides resources to students interested in addressing the current ecological crisis in their own creative work. We begin by using meditation, our five senses, writing, and basic research to connect to the natural world where we live. As we gather in Zoom every week, we get to know each other’s habitats and local indigenous histories. Drawing upon this rootedness in place along with the grounding of our mindfulness practice, we can expand our sense of artistic and intellectual possibility as well as our capacity to engage with complex material. Readings include work by Natasha Trethewey, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and David Loy. We will be writing poems, essays, earth logs, manifestos, journal entries, and more. All levels of experience with meditation, climate awareness, and/or writing are welcome, though an interest in developing both a meditation practice and an interest in writing are required. Since we are cultivating a virtual meditation community, we discuss etiquette and our responsibility to each other at the start of the course.