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Yeah NPR!

In June, National Public Radio asked listeners/readers to recommend what they thought were the best books for children ages 9-14. I had a great time reading through reader comments and adding my own thoughts about what books were "must reads" for this age group. My picks included books that I read when I was much much younger like the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and new favorites like The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I think this list would look very differently if it was entirely kid created, but it's a great one! Check it out: The Ultimate Back Seat Book Shelf: 100 Must-Reads for Kids 9-14.

JaredFanning.com

Books bring Solace

There is safety and comfort in books. This is an article written by librarian, Rachel Stein and how The Penderwicks helped bring comfort to her then five-year old daughter during a scary and tense time in their lives.

Kirsty Mitchell ~ Wonderland

'Wonderland' began in 2009 as a series of works dedicated to the memory of her mother, an English teacher "who spent over thirty years inspiring generations of children."

Kristy Mitchell has spent the past four years creating 75 stunning photographs that depict fragments of the the fairytales her mother shared with her. Absolutely stunning! Take a look!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical opening in London this summer! I might have to alter my summer travel just a wee bit.

If I was a book, I would like to be a library book so I would be taken home by all different sorts of kids.

Cornelia Funke

OH.MY.GOSH! I really need these pajamas in adult size!

TED talk presented by Andrew Slack, founder of the Harry Potter Alliance. A wonderful organization that empowers students to make a different in our world. A wonderful example of Connected Learning. Go orphans!

Get engaged with Primary Resources!

Maybe its the geek in me, but I love using primary sources to learn about a topic. There is nothing like an old photograph or journal entry to help you have a deeper understanding about history. The United States National Archives has created Digital Vaults which gives students an introduction to using primary source materials. Within the collection of 1200 items students can participate in challenges and quizzes designed to help them make historical connections. Docs Teach is offers seven free tools that educators can use to design their own custom made activities for students using the National Archives. Great stuff!

E.L Konigsburg 1930- 2013

This past weekend one of my favorite authors, E.L. Konigsburg died. Reading From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler made me want to run away and have my own adventure. Thank you for all of your beautiful books that enriched my imagination and love of reading!

From the Dallas News:

She also found it funny that for many years, the Metropolitan Museum of Art refused to sell From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler because, she speculated, they feared the book would encourage kids to do what her characters did and and sleep on an exhibit bed and bathe in the water fountain when the museum was closed.

Eventually the museum not only relented, but they allowed a movie adaptation of the book to be filmed on its premises.

Hold on to your tightie whities!

Drawers, Pants, Undies, Tightie Whities, Butt huggers! Let's face it- nothing gets kids giggling more than mentioning their unmentionables. The Guardian recently posted a quiz to test your knowledge of undies in some of our favorite books. Take the Pants in Fiction Quiz to test your knowledge of pants in these great books!

What I'm reading now. . .

Reminding me a lot of Savvy! There is a whole lot of cake baking going on in this book. Mmmmm.

#Cake #Magic #Talents

It's Poetry Friday!

A Word is Dead

by Emily Dickinson

A word is dead

When it is said,

Some say.

I say it just,

Begins to live,

That day.

Want to see a movie. . . in August? Check out the new Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Movie trailer!

April is International Poetry Month and to celebrate I think you should watch this cute video with cats (and poetry) in it! This is a book trailer for a book (which sadly we don't own, but might just have to purchase) called I Could Pee on This and Other Poems by Cats.

#Cat Poetry #Need I say More?

I see a book in your future

Looking for something new to read and need a little help?! Ask the Book Seer! All you need to do is give the Book Seer a name of a book and/or author that you loved. She'll do the rest of the work (with a little help from Amazon)!

Pretty much everyone knows about the Newbery Awards, but do you know about the 90-Second Newbery? This is a film festival held each year just for kids. This is how it works:

1. Pick a book from the list of Newbery Award Winners.

2. Read the book.

3. Write a script retelling the story in just 90-seconds.

4. Storyboard or draw out what will happen in those 90-seconds.

5. Ask friends and family members to be actors in your film

6. Costume your actors.

7. Practice.

8. Practice.

9. Practice.

10. Film.

11. Edit.

12. Submit your finished film to 90-Second Newbery!

Whew! Now that's a challenge!

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