Source: Karin Westman, 785-532-2190, westmank@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT TO HOST HARRY POTTER EDITOR CHERYL KLEIN NOV. 3

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University department of English is hosting a guest lecturer by Cheryl Klein, senior editor for Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Books.

Klein will present "Black and White and Read All Over: Diversity and Inequity in Children's Publishing" at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, in Room 212 of the K-State Student Union. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Her lecture will discuss the importance of representing race and ethnic diversity in children's book publishing.

According to K-State's Philip Nel, professor of English and director of K-State's graduate program in children's literature, Klein's visit is a great opportunity for students to learn about how books for children and teens are made, which ones get published and why.

"We're very excited to have Cheryl Klein here," Nel said. "For most of us, the role of the editor is invisible, but editors play a key role in shaping an author's text."

Originally from the Midwest, Klein has served as the continuity editor for the last three Harry Potter books. She has also worked with a diverse range of authors in children and young adult literature, including Lisa Yee, Francisco X. Stork, Kevin Crossley-Holland and Komako Sakai.

Klein has been featured in interviews with various publications and television programs, including a profile on "Nightline" about her work with the Harry Potter series.

More information about Klein and the books she has worked is available at http://cherylklein.com/.