May is the month set apart to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and today I’ve got some superb titles to help you do just that. I’ve also got a first wash of summer-y stories as the temps …
Category: chapter/middle grade
a fresh and lovely Springtime jumble of great reads
Today’s collection of books is a-bloom with freshness and wonder, the melody of nature, the beauty of words and cultures, with some lighthearted fiction tucked in for good measure. Here in Minnesota we’ve had a slow, chilly spring. I’m celebrating …
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a March jumble of great reads
I’m still on a bit of a blogging break which means that today I’ve got another miscellaneous jumble of titles. Each one shone out like the bright, Spring sun to me. There are *picture books *picture book biographies for Women’s …
Russia and Ukraine: windows of understanding
Like the rest of the world, my heart is devastated by the outbreak of yet another horrific war with its violent deaths and injuries, terror unleashed against peaceful citizens, conscription of human beings to destroy other human beings, panicked flight …
a jumble of good reads
Today’s post is a bit of a hodgepodge. I’ve felt the need lately to give myself a little break from my regular routine of blogging which for about 12 years now has required a fantastic number of hours to research, …
bantam-weight novels for all ages
Over the years I’ve collected several long lists of snazzy chapter books under 100 pages long which serve a wide variety of readers. As I’ve gone about gathering them, I’ve come across many gems that, slim though they may be, …
a Christmas mystery and more holiday-set reads
How about a cozy Christmas mystery for some needed relaxation time over the holidays? This one will suit young readers ages 10 and older but is entertaining enough for adult readers looking for a light read as well. I enjoyed …
children caught in conflict…refugee reads for young and old
Can you guess the number of children who are currently forcibly displaced from their homes around the world? The UNHCR estimates it’s 34 million. 34 million is a staggering number of people under the age of 18 who cannot safely …
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a helping of hefty middle grade reads
A friend of mine was recently looking for suggestions of books to gift her daughters. Her youngest, in particular, hankered for a “thick” book. You know, something with impressive heft, a tome with sufficient girth to signal a Capable Reader …
bodies are brilliant…body positivity in kidlit
Today I’m offering some books that speak to something really important in our wounding world — the deep down, heartfelt assurance that your body is good and lovable and wondrous, exactly as it is. For many, many, many of us …
orange marmalade 