Clelia Castro-Malaspina

Clelia Castro-Malaspina (Gore) is the co-author, along with Allison Matulli, of the middle grade nonfiction book: Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid’s Guide to the First Amendment (Running Press Kids) and the forthcoming international book Girls with Goals (Holler/Quarto US + UK). Her interest in making civics relatable to young audiences draws from her former careers as both an attorney and successful children’s book literary agent. Clelia specializes in making nonfiction topics engaging and entertaining for children; her nonfiction children’s book clients have won the most prestigious awards such as the Sibert Honor, the Schneider Family Award, the Christopher Award, Cook Prize Silver Medal, Crystal Kite Award, Freeman Award, and the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science books. Clelia now supports nonfiction and fiction children’s book creators through her developmental editing business, Mossy Pines Creative. She lives on Mercer Island, an island suburb of Seattle, with her husband and two young daughters. You can read more about Clelia at www.mossypinescreative.com or follow her on Instagram at @mossypinesclelia.

Praise for Clelia’s writing in YOUR FREEDOM, YOUR POWER:

★    “This offering’s subtitle includes the words ‘A Kid’s Guide,’ and here those words are especially apt. Readers are addressed directly, kids’ rights and relatable issues are kept at the forefront of every discussion . . . . Most important, this book empowers kids, telling them how to use their voices and defend their rights.”
– Booklist, starred review

“Current, insightful, and savvy.”
– Kirkus Reviews
 
“Matulli and Castro-Malaspina break down the functions of the First Amendment in this handy guide to American politics. Through their conversational approach, the authors demystify the document to present a primer for young people.”
– Publisher’s Weekly

“An ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to middle school and community library Political Science collections for young readers.”
– Midwest Book Review

“What makes this guide so powerful is that while most books about the First Amendment provide examples of landmark cases brought before the courts in defense of adult rights, all the cases here are brought on behalf of minors.”
– School Library Journal