Jun 7

JET alum James Kennedy curates Second Annual 90-second Newbery Film Festival

This just in from the so-original-you-have to see/meet/read-him-to-believe-him James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish.  Make sure to watch the “Heart of a Samurai” video below–one more example of a JET alum generating interest in Japanese language and culture in ways the Japanese government could never have possibly imagined. (See explanation […]


Oct 3

JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Author/JET Alum James Kennedy on the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival

  By Renay Loper (Iwate-ken, 2006-07) for JQ magazine. Renay is a freelance writer and Associate Program Officer at the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership. Visit her blog at Atlas in Her Hand. James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish, will be curating the 90-Second Newbery […]


Aug 21

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish, just did a Wall Street Journal book review of SUPER MARIO, Jeff Ryan’s history of Nintendo. In the article, James apparently also had the chance to correct some bad Japanese in his book. (Who says the JET program doesn’t teach […]


Nov 28

James Kennedy reviews “Pluto killer” book for Wall Street Journal

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish, has a great review in the Wall Street Journal of a sugoku omoshiroi book titled, How I Killed Pluto, And Why It Had It Coming by professor of astronomy Mike Brown. Here’s the link:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704243904575630683559145518.html#articleTabs%3Darticle


Sep 1

JET alum James Kennedy turns “Odd-Fish” novel into school curriculum

In a rather brilliantly creative move, James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the acclaimed young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish, has developed a classroom guide for the novel which is intended to be used by school teachers in class with their students. In James’ own words: Some schools have put The Order of Odd-Fish […]


Nov 9

Art opportunity: JET alum author James Kennedy seeks “Odd-Fish” art submissions for Chicago gallery show in Spring 2010!

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, is seeking art submissions from JET alumni for his Chicago gallery show in Spring 2010. To get a sense of James’ aesthetic and sensibilities (or if you just like reading extremely funny and dramatic stories), by all means read The Order of Odd-Fish.  Or watch […]


Jul 16

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish continues to redefine the standard job description for “author.”  In his latest adventure, he gave a speech at the American Librarians Association where he forcibly took the Newbery Award from “Neil Gaiman.”  And that’s not even the most shocking part. After watching the video clips […]


May 20

James Kennedy interviewed by School Library Journal

Great interview with James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, by Elizabeth Bird of the School Library Journal.  JET-riffic bonus:  They use Zorgamazoo author Rob Weston’s (Nara-ken, 2002-04) blurb in the opening paragraph of the interview, and they’ve included the video clip of James from the JET Alumni Author Showcase.) http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1790000379/post/1160044516.html


Apr 24

JETAA Chicago Newsletter article on James Kennedy

Finally got a hold of this nice article from the Spring 2009 Issue of the JETAA Chicago Newsletter about Jamese Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) written by JETAA Chicago Newsletter Editor Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04). Local Chicago JET Alum Spotlight: James Kennedy James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-2006), a Chicago resident, is the author of The Order of Odd […]


Mar 11

James Kennedy “Librarian” essay sets blogosphere atwitter

Following James Kennedy’s (Nara-ken, 2004-06) recent post of his essay describing the heretofore unpublicized lifestyles and rituals of librarians (a “cult” of which Kennedy’s own wife is admittedly a member) in connection with the American Library Association’s awarding of the “Best Book for Young Adults” to Neil Gaman, author of Coraline, rather than Kennedy’s The […]


Mar 6

********************** James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, has a new blog post in which he “attacks” the American Library Association in a uniquely entertaining way.  Below is an intro which doesn’t even begin to do justice to the full post. In January the American Library Association held its Midwinter Meeting in […]


Feb 3

James Kennedy Interviewed by Teens at the Evanston Library

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, was recently interviewed at the Evanston Library by some wonderful teenagers.  Watch a video of the interview below. From James’ blog:  “This Saturday (2/7) I’m going to be appearing at the Fantasy Festival at the Evanston Public Library! There will also be manga drawing, fantasy […]


Jan 6

James Kennedy short story in Chicago Reader + New Yorker Cartoon Game

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, has a short story in the Chicago Reader this week. It’s called “The Most Dangerous Beard In Town” and, according to James, “it’s whimsically illustrated by the very talented Jeremy Russnak.” Bonus recommended reading: On his blog today, James shares the results of a New […]


Nov 15

ODD-FISH ALUM: A talk with James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of the fantasy novel The Order of Odd-Fish

Interview by Gina Anderson (Nara-ken, 2003-05) JETAA DC Newsletter Editor In August 2008, James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06) published his first novel, The Order of Odd-Fish, a fantasy novel inspired partially by his experience in Japan.  Book sales have been going well and JETAA DC Newsletter Editor Gina Anderson (Nara-ken, 2003-05) recently talked with James about […]


Mar 4

***************************** Big news to announce.  This event is a direct outgrowth of the Writers Interpreters Translators (WIT) Group and JetWit.com. Click on image to go to jetaany.org/authors to access full-size PDF of the poster. Read on for more details about the event and the authors.


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