Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19


Today I am a bit frazzled.  It's normally that way as I am about to leave town.  I love going somewhere new but I don't really love the pre-travel prep or the actual traveling.  I am really hoping that they develop some form of instant transportation or teleportation in the future.  And  I am always surprised that I don't leave more things that I need at home especially since I am usually packing at the last minute.  However, I am checked in for my flight.  Somehow, I will be packed and ready to leave when my friend picks me up to go to the airport.  I still have to decide which books that I am going to take with me across country. And I am trying not to look at my presentation any more because if I do, I will likely change something again.

Regardless of the pre-travel anxiety, I am really thankful to have this opportunity to travel across the country and attend the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention.  And if you are at NCTE '13, please say "hi".

....and since this is also picture book month, and with an eye towards Thanksgiving, here is my daily picture book recommendation:


'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
by Dav Pilkey 
Scholastic, 1990

The Adventures and Misadventures Middle Grade Tour Spotlights - Caroline Carlson and A.B. Westrick

For the next several days, I will be highlighting the amazing authors on The Adventures and Misadventures Middle Grade Tour.  Today I feature - Caroline Carlson....


My question for all the authors:
A fictionalized character of you (as a middle grader) will be the main character in a book.  What author would write the book and what would it be about?

Caroline answered: If Dodie Smith wrote about my middle grade self, I hope she would let me live in a fantastic ruin like Cassandra Mortmain does in I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, rather than in the suburbs. I know for sure that she would write about my quirks, confusions, and awkward moments in a way that would make me seem much cooler and more interesting than I was in real life!

Check out Caroline's debut book:



For more information about Caroline Carlson: website | facebook | twitter

Next up is A.B. Westrick....


My question for all the authors:
A fictionalized character of you (as a middle grader) will be the main character in a book.  What author would write the book and what would it be about?

A.B. answered: Jack Gantos would write this sarcasm-filled tale about me, the pigeon-toed, too-eager-to-please teacher's pet-wannabe who thinks boys are oh, so much more interesting than girls, and who wishes the boys would include her in all of their escapades. But being included and participating in their shenanigans means shedding her goody-goody exterior -- a high price to pay. Still, she reasons it's better than yet another boring sleepover, painting nails and talking about hair and clothes and on and on when everyone knows that what matters are the transistors and walkie-talkies and gadgets and gizmos that preoccupy the boys. She schemes to do whatever it takes to get the boys to acknowledge her existence, but they want nothing to do with her.

Check out A.B.'s debut book:


For more information about A.B. Westrick: website | facebook | twitter

Don't forget that there is a giveaway happening too:

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18


Late this afternoon, I had the opportunity to reconnect with many of my staff from San Rafael Elementary School as we came together to celebrate the retirement of our Community Assistant, Elizabeth Roman.  Mrs. Roman worked at the school for 29 years. Amazing when you think about it.  With some families, she influenced three generations. What a compassionate and strong and caring woman and I am thankful that our lives intersected. 

I am also thankful for the lives of the teachers, and instructional assistants and other staff who were there this evening.  I was reminded at how thankful I am for all the staff at the school.  I miss the community that we had created.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation, I am giving a shout out to Salina Yoon's new book:

Penguin in Love
by Salina Yoon
Walker Childrens (December 3, 2013)

The Adventures and Misadventures Middle Grade Spotlights Jennifer Mann and Melanie Crowder

For the next several days, I will be highlighting the amazing authors on The Adventures and Misadventures Middle Grade Tour.  Today I feature - Jennifer Mann....


My question for all the authors:
A fictionalized character of you (as a middle grader) will be the main character in a book.  What author would write the book and what would it be about?

Jennifer answered: I would have Astrid Lindgren (Pippi Longstocking) write my story and it would be an adventure in space! I would like to be saving several worlds, ours and a couple of others. I don't need a love interest but would really want an alien best friend.

Check out Jennifer's debut book:



For more information about Jennifer Mann: website | blog | facebook | twitter

Next up is Melanie Crowder....


My question for all the authors:
A fictionalized character of you (as a middle grader) will be the main character in a book.  What author would write the book and what would it be about?

Melanie answered: Beverly Cleary would write about middle grade me. It would be a heartwarming story about a girl trying to step out of the shadow of her brilliant older sister, and making a hilarious mess of it along the way.

Check out Melanie's debut book:


For more information about Melanie Crowder: website | facebook | twitter

Don't forget that there is a giveaway happening too:

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17


How bad would it be if I shared that I was thankful for Holiday Movies on Hallmark? HaHa! Yep, I am.  Today, while I worked on the computer, I probably watched four of them.

Other things that I was thankful for today...

...hanging out with a group of fifth graders that meet monthly to talk about ARC's (Advanced Readers Copies).  We meet at a local bookstore and the kids read the books and give us their thoughts on what is coming out.  It is fun to hear what they think and see what they like. They are better than professional reviewers, and they really know what they like and don't like.

...leftovers and good friends.  As you can imagine, we had leftovers from yesterday's birthday party. Lots and lots of leftovers.  A few of us joined together tonight to hang out in front of an outside fire (yes, I live in Southern California and we can do this in November), talk, laugh, and eat a lot of leftovers.

....and since this is also picture book month, here is my daily picture book recommendation:


by Oliver Jeffers
Philomel (2005)