‘What made you include so many illustrations in your book?’ It’s a question I’m regularly asked about my debut middle-grade book Voyage of the Frostheart, and its upcoming sequel, Escape From Aurora. Middle-grade books aren’t typically as heavily illustrated as chapter books for younger readers. For those who don’t know, the Frostheart series is a […]
Imagining Impact: An Educator’s Reflection on a Language Mistake by Nawal Qarooni Casiano
posted by donalynm
All the materials were queued. Slides ready, Jamboard links copied for dropping into the chat. Sign-in and evaluations prepared. I was flushed with gratitude for classroom teachers who were attending after juggling kids in some version of remote or hybrid learning; I was determined to set my face to smile and overwhelm the Zoom room […]
February
02
Cover Reveal for VIOLETS ARE BLUE by Barbara Dee
posted by CBethM
Remember in-person, non-virtual conferences? To me it feels as if NCTE 2019 happened a million years ago, and also last week. I keep thinking about the hugs, the talks, the many conversations with folks I interact with mostly online. I also think about my three amazing panels— the talent in the chairs beside me, and […]
January
27
There’s room for all of us: Lessons from Latina feminists by Juliet Menéndez
posted by CBethM
As my first book, Latinitas, gets closer to making its way out into the world on the 23rd of February, I have been getting many questions about its origin and specifically about how I chose which women to include. I have answered that the collection of Latinas in this book have not only made important […]
January
23
10 Ordinary Moments In Diverse Picture Books by Amanda Bower
posted by CBethM
A pattern that disturbs me in picture books that illustrate diversity is that most books I come across that are by diverse authors or that have diverse characters deal with oppression and racism as the main theme of the story. Civil rights, and the ways those have been violated, are essential stories, and many […]
January
21
Making the White House Home by Kate Andersen Brower
posted by CBethM
When we heard Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet ever to perform at an inauguration, passionately recite her beautiful poem, The Hill We Climb, I found myself thinking not about what was happening on stage – as compelling as it was – but about what was happening a mile-and-a-half away in the White House. As […]
January
17
Join M. Colleen Cruz and Donalyn Miller Live January 21st, 8:00 pm EST.
posted by donalynm
As announced on the blog in December, the Nerdy Book Club is launching a monthly online book club to celebrate and discuss books and reading. Our January title is Risk. Fail. Rise: A Teacher’s Guide to Learning from Mistakes by M. Colleen Cruz. We will kick off the book club discussion with a Facebook Live […]
January
16
History’s Unsung Heroes + A Three-Book Bundle Giveaway by Keila V. Dawson
posted by CBethM
Kids know about heroes. They are introduced to superheroes at a very young age, play with superhero toys, and imagine themselves saving the world. In school, students learn about history’s real life heroes. They read books that use the narrative structure of the hero’s journey. Plot is used to teach cause and effect. And they […]
January
14
5 Important Life Lessons From A Man From A Sh*thole Country by Doyin Richards
posted by CBethM
ΩI’ll start by saying that my dad will always be my hero and greatest role model. Sadly, he passed away in early 2019 after a long battle with colon cancer, and my life will never be the same without him. To celebrate his legacy, I penned my latest children’s book titled, WATCH ME: A Story […]
January
11
Cover Reveal for OVER THE TOP by Alison Hughes
posted by CBethM
I encounter a centaur regularly on one of my bike-riding routes, and I think he’s at least partially responsible for me writing this book. He’s a statue, of course, but what a statue! Bronze, eight or nine feet tall, his horse body frozen in full gallop, his human half triumphantly waving a huge bronze […]
