Stolen by Lucy Christopher

I picked up Lucy Christopher’s Stolen after reading Kate Messner’s rave review. A psychological thriller, this is not a book to pick up unless you are ready to sit down and read it straight through.  Sixteen-year old Gemma is in the Bangkok airport with her parents when she meets a man who seems to actually [...]

Book Event in NYC!

So sad that I can’t make it to this event, but hopefully you can! Courtney Sheinmel and Regan Hofmann at at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South (20th St. between Park & Irving Place), New York City on Tuesday, Oct 12th, 8 p.m, for a reading/discussion/signing. STORIES CAN CHANGE THE WORLD Reading, Discussion & Booksigning.  Authors [...]

Nonfiction Monday and the Cybils

I am so very excited to announce on this Nonfiction Monday that I am back with the Cybil Awards this year!  Ah, but this time I have stepped out of my comfort zone- middle grade fiction- and I am jumping headfirst into the MG/YA Nonfiction Panel. I am thrilled to be working with some fantastic [...]

Speak Loudly

This week, Wesley Scroggins,an associate professor of management at Missouri State University (and fundamentalist Christian), wrote an opinion piece in the News-Leader of Springfield, MO, in which he characterized Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak as filthy and immoral, calling it “soft pornography” because of two rape scenes. He is demanding that Speak, along with a few [...]

Vordak the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World by Vordak T. Incomprehensible

Vordak the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World is a rip-roaringly hysterical book that I would hand to fans of anything remotely funny. I am passing this one on to my sister to share with her high school resource English class. Talk about high interest! You have to read this book prepared [...]

Cybils Bling!

The Cybils are coming!  The Cybils are coming! We are almost in October.  In my mind, October means one thing, and one thing only- Cybils nominations.  But right now, you can support the Cybils by getting your own Cybils bling.  Check out their store.  I know I will be placing an order this week.  Maybe [...]

Edmodo in the Classroom

Earlier this week I set up my first Edmodo page.  I first heard of the site over the summer and decided to give it a shot this year.  I used a blog for my class last year, but it sounded like Edmodo could give me a little more flexibility.  I admit it had a bit [...]

Never Forget

(A version of this was originally written on 9/11/03, in my personal journal. It has been edited for this posting. I have reposted it every year since 2003.) I can’t forget. This morning, between classes I was sitting in my car listening to the radio. I listened to the children read off the names of [...]

Back in the Swing of Things

This week marked the beginning of the new school year for me.  I am teaching in a new school, two new grade levels, with a new schedule.  The block scheduling for my freshman is still leaving me a little unsure of where I am, but my seniors are great so far! I co-teach my freshman, [...]

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

During 2008-2009, I read aloud Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson to my 6th graders. Since the day I finished the book I have been desperately awaiting its sequel. I follow Laurie’s blog and reveled in the bits & pieces of the research process that she shared with her readers while writing. When I did not [...]