Elsa Marston
children's author

The Middle East Outreach Council (MEOC)is a nationwide network of educators and resources that disseminates information about the peoples and cultures of the Middle East. Since 1999 MEOC has given awards for outstanding books for young readers that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of the area.

If you're really interested in Egypt, you'd probably like to know about ARCE, the main American organization concerned with research in Egypt: archaeological expeditions, conservation projects, publications, lectures, and conferences, with chapters in several American cities. (In 1990-91, my husband was the director of ARCE; that's when we were living on the organization's antiquated houseboat moored on the Nile in Cairo.)

A publications service for books about the Middle East, for adults and young readers

Catalogue of books for young people about the Middle East and North Africa, plus teacher workshops about Arab/Muslim history and culture. These workshops, given in various cities nationwide, are both fascinating and fun: when there's one in a city near you, sign up quickly!

This organization provides a catalogue of books and other educational materials about the Middle East, past and present, for schools, libraries, and individuals. At the Amideast website, click on "educational resources."

An organization of secondary school teachers concerned with the study of the world's religious traditions and their ethical values, literatures, and cultures. (I'm including this link because much of my writing deals with various religions, ancient and contemporary.)

Publisher of my books FIGS AND FATE and SONGS OF ANCIENT JOURNEYS. Braziller is an independent literary publisher in New York, in business for 50 years (2005)!

Several of my stories and articles, mostly on subjects connected with the Middle East, appear in CRICKET magazine and ASK magazine. The most recent is "Zenobia of Palmyra, Warrior Queen" in the December 2004 issue, the story of a fascinating woman who defied the Roman Empire.

The organization for anyone--writers, illustrators, editors, librarians, teachers--interested in children's literature and the "making" of books and magazines for young people. I've been a member since 1978, and wouldn't be without it!

A good site, especially for young readers, with links to authors and related organizations

one of my favorite poets--and a storyteller; author of KEESHA'S HOUSE

author of "Running on Eggs"

for Naomi Shihab Nye, author of "Sitti's Secrets" and YA novel "Habibi," poet and editor of several collections of poems, including "19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East"

illustrator of "The Day of Ahmed's Secret," "Sami and the Time of the Troubles," and others