Nerd Camp Michigan (#nerdcampmi) kicks off with seven-minute Nerd Talks from a rotating group of speakers. This year’s speakers included Stacey Riedmiller, Chad Everett, Shannon Hale, Teri Lesesne, Tracey Baptiste, and me. This post includes the text of my speech. All Nerd Talk recordings will be featured on the Nerdy Book Cast this fall. […]
Tag Archives: Donalyn Miller
June
11
The Key to Summer Reading? Invest in Children’s Reading Lives All Year
posted by donalynm
It’s easier to maintain my reading life in the summer. Scorching Texas days provide excuses to lie under the ceiling fan and read all afternoon. Occasionally, I stay up all night binge reading—burning through epic historicals or fantasies in one sitting. I travel quite a bit during the summer, and books keep me company. […]
May
07
Love and Books by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
December
18
Nerdy Site News: Schedule Change
posted by donalynm
Since Nerdy Book Club began on December 1, 2011, we have featured a new blog post every day—sometimes two. Over 1000 people have written for Nerdy—sharing their love for children’s and young adult literature and their commitment to the reading lives of young people. Whether you are a first year teacher or a 30-year veteran, […]
December
01
Looking for a Home, Our 5th Nerdversary by Donalyn Miller
posted by donalynm
As I child, I thought I was born into the wrong family. My mom and stepdad fought a lot, and worked multiple jobs to pay our bills. My brother, Wendell, was born with cerebral palsy and needed help with daily functions. My sister, Abbie, was retained in second grade for kicking a teacher during […]
