I have been focusing my reading the past few months on middle-grade literature addressing the crisis of refugees and asylum seekers. It has been tough, frankly. Emotionally tough. My goal in doing so was to offer you an array of …
how sweet the sound
How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison published in 2018 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers Such a unique subject for a picture book, this vigorous, gorgeous look at …
five for doughnuts and hot cider weather
Recently I spent a couple of days up north where the trees were aflame, the skies a canvas of whispering grays, and the wood stove a welcome respite from the deliciously brisk air. Fall has thoroughly arrived here in Minnesota (as …
reads about Indigenous Americans — part two
Today I’ve got some more excellent titles that help raise our awareness and understanding of the First Nations/Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. It’s the last day in a trilogy of posts: Yesterday’s post contained several history books for older children …
read to understand… Indigenous People’s Day
Yesterday, in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I wrote about my on-going attempts to grow in my understanding of the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. Today and tomorrow I’ve got a large selection of recommended titles …
thoughts on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Minneapolis. I’m glad for this acknowledgement that Columbus and Co. were not actually the true founders of the Americas. Not even close. My goal over the next couple of days is to encourage you …
dive in!…six nautical ventures
Today I’ve got six beauties awash in the mysteries and splendors of all things ocean. Grab some ship’s biscuit and a mug of grog…or apple cider as the case may be…and enjoy the ride! Ocean: A Visual Miscellany, text by …
six for starting school
Short and sweet today. Six reads for a variety of school start-ups! global schools… Adventures to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students from Around the World, by Miranda Paul and Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Isabel Muñoz published in 2018 by Little …
barraged by blaster rifles!
Today I’ve got a different sort of post. From time to time I am asked by young moms or homeschoolers for particular book suggestions or lists. The other day, a young friend wrote to ask for some ideas for her …
the world is so full of a number of things!
Today, I’ve got a stack of fabulous books that open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the extraordinary wonders gracing Planet Earth. Out of dozens and dozens of titles I’ve read this summer, these all felt outstanding to me. The …
fiction favorites…Breakout
Breakout, by Kate Messner published in 2018 by Bloomsbury Children’s Books 448 pages I flew through Kate Messner’s most recent middle-grade novel last week, and loved it for so many reasons. It’s an excellent story starring a believable, flawed, likeable …
