I was saddened to read that new episodes of Sesame Street will air first on HBO, a paid cable network.  There are so many levels of genius behind Sesame Street, but perhaps the most significant is the gap it filled for underprivileged children.  Any educator knows that all children do not start kindergarten with the same foundation.  All children are not immersed in print-rich homes with books on the shelves and magazine and newspaper subscriptions.  All children don't see…

Here is a post on Bullies, Victims and Bystanders in Teen Fiction.  I hope these novels launch meaningful discussions during Bullying Prevention Month.

Happy reading,

Christine…

The last week of September is celebrated as Banned Books Week.  Click here for info on how you can celebrate literary freedom, and learn the effects of censorship on schools, libraries and communities.

Recently, John Oliver did a funny bit on native advertising.  If you are not familiar with the term, native advertising is when companies and organizations make their ads look like editorial content in print publications.  

As a writer, I know that the sale of ad space pays for the production of the magazine, and that the editorial and advertising departments each have their own separate, important job to do.  As a reader, I've noticed ads that look like articles, but since I'm an…

In Kiwi magazine, I read about a great way to share books and promote literacy in your hometown.  Little Free Library is a way to recycle your old books and even read some new ones.  You can order a waterproof structure, or better yet, build your own out of repurposed materials, and place books inside. Neighbors come and borrow books and even leave some of their own books.  If you're really ambitious, leave a notebook and pen in the structure for people to write their responses to…

The June/July issue of Scholastic Parent and Child is out now, and in it are two of my recent articles.  The first, "Opting-Out is In, But Does it Work?" contains the opinions of three experts who weigh in on the issue. Pick up a copy at your local newsstand to see the opinions of Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director for Fair Test: National Center…

Keep children reading over the summer to prevent a loss of skills known as the "summer slide."  Encourage them to select their own books to see that reading is a pleasurable activity and to motivate them to become lifelong learners and readers.

The ALA, American Library Association has released suggested summer reading lists to help you get started.…

An editor I know is looking for an educator to comment on "number partners" or "graphing/ungraphing."  If you have expertise with either of those, and would like to be quoted in a national parenting magazine, please email bookgirlblogger(at)gmail(dot)com.



Happy reading and quoting,

Christine…

We've all had them, class clowns.  The April issue of Scholastic Parent and Child contains my "Field Guide to Class Clowns."  One of the most interesting and affirming things that I learned while researching this piece, is that it would be very unusual for a parent to be completely surprised when a teacher tells them their child is a class clown.  Parents would typically see "clowning" behavior at soccer practice, karate, or any other social situation.  Here is a sneak peek at the…

 Here is a week-long retreat for writers.  Hone your craft in the Poconos under the tutelage of some of the most accomplished professionals in…

Read my article on lefties and learning in the March issue of Scholastic Parent and Child.  It is always exciting to see one of your own articles in print, but this one is especially thrilling for me.  While researching this article, I had the honor of communicating with Howard Gardner.  That's right, THE Howard Gardner who developed the theory of Multiple Intelligences.  He could not have been…

Kids stuck indoors?  Try this Valentine's Day activity that my daughter learned.  Make Rice Krispie Treats using the traditional recipe found here.  Then shape them like Hershey's Kisses, wrap them in foil, and write your own  version of the trademark Hershey flags, with customized Valentine's Day messages.

 …

The New York State Reading Association has announced the ballot for the 2014 Charlotte Award.  Students can vote for their favorite titles by reading the book(s) for their age division, or having the book(s) read to them, and then completing the ballot with the help of a teacher or librarian. 

The titles on the ballot are:

GRADES PRE K-2/PRIMARY

Around One Log: Chipmunks, Spiders & Creepy Insiders…

Plenty of people make a lot of noise about teacher salaries, but we never hear anything of what these teachers give.  The current issue of NEA Today lists these statistics on teacher spending:

99.5%    Percentage of teachers who reported buying essential classroom materials out of pocket

$945      Average amount of money teachers spent on out of pocket expenses…

I originally posted this on February 3, 2012:

Super Books for Super Bowl Weekend!…

One of my editors is researching a piece on mindfulness initiatives in elementary schools.  Do you know of an elementary school that has introduced meditation or breathing techniques to help children focus?  If so, please contact Linda Rodgers at

LRodgers-consultant@Scholastic.com

Happy reading,

Christine

bookgirlblogger.blogspot.com

Last night at the Grammy Awards, Hunter Hayes debuted his new single, "Invisible."  What a great song for young people experiencing bullying, or just trying to fit in.  Even though "No-Name Calling Week" is officially over, you still may want to share this with your students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve0XQir8szo

Happy reading and listening,

Christine…

Opting out is in, but does it work?

More parents are choosing to opt out of high-stakes standardized testing for their kids. But what impact does not participating really have—and is it really the best way to implement change?

Answer this question here in the comment section, or email me at

bookgirlblogger(at)gmail(dot)com, and your opinion could appear in a national magazine.

Happy reading and…

I recently read Lyddie, by Katherine Paterson and I couldn't put it down.  Why?

1.  Ms. Paterson followed the most important rule of writing by creating a character readers care 

     about.  I liked Lyddie as a person, and was willing to stick through 200 pages with her to make

     sure things turned out in her favor.

2.  Ms. Paterson grabbed me with all of the sights, sounds and smells of the time period.  I felt like I

     was on a…

As the East Coast braces for a blizzard, I was thinking about some of my favorite wintry tales for young people.  Of course, Snow Day comes to mind, as well as Little House in the Big Woods.  The Twistrose Key is a 2013 release about a frozen realm.  I just picked it up, so I don't know yet if it belongs in the same category as the first two. 

Last February, as we braced for a blizzard, I wrote about my favorite winter movies.  I've reposted it below if…