I always took chocolate for granted. As a child growing up in the Ivory Coast, we always had a chocolate bar or two nestled in the cold of the refrigerator door away from the tropical heat. We made cupcakes and chocolate mousse just for fun: “gateaux au chocolat” on special occasions and “pains au chocolat” […]
May
20
JERKS ON A PLANE – WHY BOYS NEED TO READ MORE by Donna Gephart
posted by CBethM
It happened on a plane. On a plane! I tend to board at the end when I have an assigned seat. Less time on the crowded plane feels right to me, and I rarely need overhead storage. A bearded man next to me had the same idea. “Why spend more time on a crowded plane,” […]
May
17
Turning Readers into Writers by Carrie Rodusky
posted by CBethM
I stumbled upon this rock while walking my dog through the woods. It is about to be a creative writing prompt for my upper elementary students. Who knows where it will go. As an ELA teacher I have to find a way to include reading, grammar, language, and writing in a 60 minute […]
May
16
Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins – Review by Kacy Smith Paterson
posted by CBethM
Farrar Straus Giroux/FSG Books for Young Readers 432 Pages, Ages 14-18 Mitali Perkin’s new novel, Forward Me Back to You, is an epic and layered read of identity and family, similar to her earlier works, such as You Bring the Distant Near and Tiger Boy. The narrative encompasses multiple characters, families and countries, which […]
May
15
After the Russians Came – Turning my Father’s Story into Fiction by Monika Schröder
posted by CBethM
My first novel, THE DOG IN THE WOOD, comes out in paperback on May 14th. I feel fortunate that the story continues to be available for young readers and I am grateful to the Nerdy Book Club for giving me the opportunity to tell a bit about its backstory. The novel, set in a small […]
May
14
The Clockwork Ghost or Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story by Laura Ruby
posted by CBethM
Sometime last fall, a friend asked me if I wanted to go to Greece* in April. “Of course I want to go to Greece,” I said. “Who doesn’t want to go to Greece?” Except that I didn’t have time to go to Greece. I mean, I barely had time to go to the bathroom. […]
May
12
Impossible Heroes by Jess Keating
posted by CBethM
It started in Kiev. I watched with my heart in my throat as two undercover American agents interrogated a Russian man who believes he’s murdered a member of the IMF. They do their job, the adventure begins and then that infamous match is struck. A fuse is lit, racing across the screen, as that ubiquitous […]
May
10
Book Dating by Kyla McDonald
posted by CBethM
As a parent, teacher or librarian, you might never have thought to encourage your tweens or teens to start dating, especially speed dating. I’m here to tell you that it’s ok for your kids to date early, as long as they are dating books! Unlike dating people, book dating is free from rejection, completely safe […]
May
09
Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman – Review by Heather Berg
posted by CBethM
I am embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t really given water much thought lately. I mean, I encounter it daily as I brush my teeth, scrub another round of dishes, or wash my daughters’ endlessly sticky hands. And sure, after a long run or a day in the sun, I’m happy to guzzle down a […]
May
08
Keepin’ It Real by John David Anderson
posted by CBethM
Rion Kwirk’s father makes jellybeans for a living. His mother named her kids after constellations. His older sister is a swordfighter. His younger sister is a walking dictionary. And his grandfather…the man nearly defies explanation. And while his death isn’t all that mysterious, his funeral sure is. Finding Orion, my forthcoming novel, is a little […]
