Yesterday, Don, Sarah, and I drove three hours to Cedar Park (near Austin) for Don’s sister and brother-in-law’s 40th wedding anniversary celebration. The trip got off to a rocky start. Sarah was grouchy and argued with me about her outfit of blue jeans, Gatsby t-shirt, and Converse, which I deemed inappropriate for the occasion. […]
Author Archives: donalynm
April
14
GBF-Literally the Place to Be on May 20th! by Melissa McDonald
posted by donalynm
We don’t celebrate many book festivals on this site, but taking children to an event that celebrates reading and books is a can’t miss opportunity. Nothing excites kids more than meeting authors, learning about books, and communing with other readers. The Gaithersburg (Maryland) Book Festival on May 20th is an upcoming event for folks in […]
April
09
Desertification by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
Our oldest granddaughter, Emma, is eight. She looks just like her mother did at the same age. Long limbs accessorized with a rotation of Band-Aids that move from one knee to the next. Wind-blown dark blonde hair that needs brushing. Piercing blue eyes that have already mastered the skeptical shade throw passed down through generations […]
Creature Comforts and A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
posted by donalynm
I was seven years old when my heart was broken for the first time, by a girl named Nona who didn’t want to be my friend anymore because I was “weird.” It was my cat Sabrina who absorbed my tears in her thick black pelt, who purred and licked and butted me with her head […]
March
12
It’s Not About Us by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
Two weekends ago, I volunteered at the North Texas Teen Book Festival, a two-day event in Irving, Texas. I travel to lots of literacy and literature conferences, but it’s a rare treat to attend such a fantastic conference without leaving home. The first day of the festival is an Educator Day for teachers and […]
February
12
So Many Books, So Little Time: Tips for Reading Strategically by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
We own too many books. I’ve confessed this before, and it surprises no one. Don and I spend too much time sorting, culling, dusting, moving, and shelving books. Without constant maintenance, our book collection would take over our lives and home. We have tried to control our book hoarding tendencies, but it’s a losing battle. […]
January
22
Freedom of Speech by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” –First Amendment, U.S. Constitution The United States […]
January
03
THE 2016 NERDIES: YOUNG ADULT FICTION (PART TWO) ANNOUNCED BY A CONVENTION OF NERDS
posted by donalynm
This post includes the second half of the 2016 Nerdy Book Club Award winners for best young adult fiction. The first part of the list ran in yesterday’s post. Congratulations to all of the winners. Your books offer reader empowering stories celebrating the resilience, honesty, and integrity of young adults as they navigate […]
January
02
THE 2016 NERDIES: YOUNG ADULT FICTION (PART ONE) ANNOUNCED BY A CHAPTER OF NERDS
posted by donalynm
We end the 2016 Nerdy Book Club Awards with two collaborative posts celebrating the best young adult fiction. This year, we honor twenty outstanding young adult fiction titles that capture and respect the challenges of adolescence. Each book on the list offers young adults validation and support for their experiences and struggles, and expands understanding […]
December
31
THE 2016 NERDIES: LONG FORM NONFICTION ANNOUNCED BY DONALYN MILLER
posted by donalynm
Since my childhood, I have been fascinated with nonfiction books. I read our family World Book Encyclopedias and Time-Life books from cover-to-cover and methodically worked through every biography and wildlife book in my elementary school library. My lifelong fascination for natural and human history, geography, and life sciences began in that library, and I still […]
