Building a Bridge to Life: Young Adult Literature Addresses Teen Suicide

All are welcome to drop-in during class time for ENG 471 Literature for Young Adults team-taught by English education specialists Professor James Blasingame and PhD student Sandra Saco. YA author Bill Konigsberg, author of "The Bridge," is the special guest.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24-year-olds, with higher rates among vulnerable demographic groups (Center for Disease Control).

"The Bridge," an award-winning book by ASU creative writing alum and teacher Bill Konigsberg (MFA 2005), takes four different perspectives on what might happen when two teenagers meet for the first time on the George Washington Bridge in New York City. In alternating chapters with very different consequences, Konigsberg’s characters navigate the adversity of life. What happens in the last of the four scenarios is quite surprising.

Writing "The Bridge" presented complicated and intricate problems to solve, and so can life. For this event, author and teacher Konigsberg explains how creative writing can provide cathartic and therapeutic benefits to both readers and writers. Aspiring authors, advocates of youth literacy, LGBTQ youth and allies, publishing industry hopefuls and anyone who wants to learn about the power of literature will find something of value here.

Konigsberg is the author of six bestselling books for young adults and the eponymous social crusader ala the Bill Konigsberg Award for LGBTQ Youth Advocacy from the National Council of Teachers of English. 

Please note, attendees must observe current ASU covid-19 protocols, including face-coverings.

This event is offered as part of a universitywide celebration of Humanities Week hosted by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU.