“If you are afraid, sad, tired, or lonely if you feel lost or strange if you crave stories and adventure, and the magic possibility of a forest path -this book is for you” The above lines are taken from the opening pages of Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand. What an important way to […]
January
07
Thank You, Aretha by Katheryn Russell-Brown
posted by CBethM
Music was a big part of my childhood. It seems I was always either about to do or doing something related to music. I listened to songs while I got ready for school, in the car going someplace or another, and at the end of my school day. I would sit for long spells on […]
January
05
History with a Side of Humor by Michael Spradlin
posted by CBethM
Every writer who writes history for young readers, struggles to make it relatable and relevant. In my new book, CLOSE CALLS: How Eleven US Presidents Escaped from the Brink of Death, I felt I had some exciting subject matter to deal with. Presidential assassinations have been studied for years. But what about the time the […]
January
03
The 2019 Nerdies: Young Adult Fiction (Part Two), Announced by a Convention of Nerds
posted by donalynm
Today we announce the second half of the 2019 Young Adult Fiction Nerdies and wrap up the Nerdy Book Club Awards for this year. Thank you, to everyone who nominated books and volunteered to write reviews for our announcement posts. Nerdy is a collective space and we appreciate you supporting other educators, families, and kids […]
January
02
The 2019 Nerdies: Young Adult Fiction (Part One), Announced by a Chapter of Nerds
posted by donalynm
We finish up the 2019 Nerdy Book Club Awards with two collaborative posts celebrating the best young adult fiction. This year, we honor twenty-five outstanding titles capturing and respecting the challenges of adolescence. Each outstanding book offers young adults validation and support for their experiences and struggles, and expands readers’ understanding of perspectives differing […]
January
01
The 2019 Nerdies: Middle Grade Fiction Books Announced by Colby Sharp
posted by Colby Sharp
I LOVE middle grade fiction! For so many young readers, the books they read in upper elementary and middle school become the books that they hold in their hearts forever. I believe that the books on this list are some of those forever books. I am excited to announce the 2019 Middle Grade Fiction Nerdies! […]
December
31
The 2019 Nerdies: Long Form Nonfiction Announced by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
Engaging, accurate, relevant nonfiction texts provide opportunities to expand our knowledge of the world and our perceptions of both the past and future’s potential. I have always enjoyed nonfiction books and spent a large part of my childhood reading books about animals and history. As an adult, I still enjoy reading about the natural […]
December
30
The 2019 Nerdies: Graphic Novels, Announced by Katherine Sokolowski
posted by donalynm
Since the beginning of the Nerdy Book Club awards, I’ve been lucky enough to announce the graphic novel winners each year. Before Christmas I begin to stalk my email inbox, waiting for a message from Donalyn Miller sharing the winning titles with me. When that long-awaited list arrives, I quickly scroll through, cheering for classroom […]
December
29
The 2019 Nerdies: Poetry and Novels in Verse, Announced by Mary Lee Hahn
posted by donalynm
Congratulations to the 2019 Nerdy Book Club Award winners for the best children’s and young adult poetry books and novels in verse of the year! This year’s winners prove that poetry is a verse-atile container for emotions, ideas, and topics. ANTHOLOGY Thanku: Poems of Gratitude edited by Miranda Paul and […]
December
28
The 2019 Nerdies: Early Readers and Chapter Books, Announced by Alyson Beecher
posted by donalynm
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate books for the Early Readers and Early Chapter Book category. This year, we are celebrating 12 books that cover a range of topics from reuniting a lost dog with his family to dealing with very real family issues including a birthday celebration gone awry, […]
