If you answer YES to at least one of my questions, you’re going to love today’s video. If you do not answer YES to any of my questions, it must mean you have not read The Mighty Miss Malone.
*Are you mapping out how you’re going to book talk The Mighty Miss Malone to your students?
*Do you want to place it in the hands of every child who enters your library, bookshop, or classroom?
*Do you get teary-eyed just thinking about the trials and tribulations of Deza’s family?
*Do you want to give precious Deza a big hug and tell her she’s one of the bravest and smartest characters you’ve ever met?
*Do you send Colby Sharp random text messages about how you cannot stop thinking about Christopher Paul Curtis’ characters?
*Did you go into work groggy because you were up all night reading?
* Did you start your 2013 Mock Newbery list with it?
*Do you want to add it to your social studies curriculum?
* Do you think it is a beautiful title that will make kids question their actions, think, and want to learn more about the Great Depression?
*Are you thankful Christopher Paul Curtis told Deza’s side of the story?
*Do you imagine yourself re-reading it in ten years?
I answered “yes” to every question. Thank you, Christopher Paul Curtis, for educating and inspiring me.
Borrow The Mighty Miss Malone from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.
Random House created a top-notch discussion guide.
“I have four rules for young people who want to be writers, and the first rule that I have is — and you’ve got to follow these. Rule number one is to write every day, because writing’s like anything else that you do. The more you do it, the better you’re going to get at it. ” – Christopher Paul Curtis
Libraries have always been very special to Christopher Paul Curtis
It’s an amazing coincidence that today’s NBC is about THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE. I just finished this beauty of a book last night and spent the rest of my night writing up my own blog focused on the historical fiction aspect of the book. Please check it out: http://mretome.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/the-mighty-miss-malone-lovin-historical-fiction/
Oh goodness, how I love Deza. This is just a beautiful, beautiful book.
I love her so much! I really connected with Deza – it’s like she’s the kind of girl I wanted to be (or hoped I was). Perfectionism issues – check. Spunky attitude, combined with a “wanna be loved by my teachers” – check.
It’s almost like seeing the me I would have been in a different time period, in a different skin. (Okay, I’ll admit – she’s way more courageous than I think I would have been).
GREAT post, John!
This book is next, and now I really cannot wait. Thanks for all the additional information!
This post inspired me to finally write my first Capitol Choices nomination of the year- something I’ve been meaning to do since the moment I finished The Mighty Miss Malone. http://www.capitolchoices.org/Mighty_Miss_Malone
I think of Deza every day and am excited that the 7th grade ELA team is using the book starting next week, as a lens to examine the Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling fights that they learned about during another unit.
And I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have met Christopher Paul Curtis at ALA, and to hear him speak about his work.
Thank you for the MMM comments! Deza Malone is one of the most memorable characters. One of my students wants Christopher Paul Curtis to write a sequel. She wants to know more.