Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Days 20, 21 and 22


Yes, I have gotten behind.  I will blame travel and NCTE.  So here is what I am thankful for...

...safe travels from Los Angeles to Boston.

...opportunities to be re-energized by all of the great conversations here at NCTE.

...my presentation that went well and we received positive feedback. 

...the Heinemann Breakfast that was a tribute to Don Graves.

...making new friends, meeting tweeps for the first time (Cathy Mere, Deb Frazier, Gigi McAllister, Holly Mueller, and so many more), reconnecting with tweeps I have met before (Jen Vincent, Beth S., Donalyn, Paul, Colby, Katherine, Cindi, Teresa, Cynthia and so many more), .

...meeting so many wonderful authors and illustrators - some I have known (Dan Santat, Jenni Holms, Kirby Larson, Peter Brown, Beck McDowell, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Mitali Perkins) and some that I met for the very first time (Matt de la Peña, Louise Borden, Gae Polisner, Lynda Mullay Hunt, Martha Brockenbrough, Erin Downing Soderberg, and I am certain I am missing more).

And for all of this and more, I am thankful.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker


Words by Patricia Hruby Powell
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Chronicle Books (January 14, 2014)
Biography * Jazz Age * Women's History


"I shall dance all my life...I would like to die, breathless, spent, at the end of the dance." 
- Josephine Baker, 1927

Description from GoodReads:
In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine's powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

My thoughts on this book:
For Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesdays, I usually try to review only books that are current year releases.  It's just the way I set up the challenge.  However, when this book arrived in the mail from Chronicle Books, I just had to share it.

I first learned of Josephine Baker when I was exploring different African American writers, artists, and musicians that were part of the Harlem Renaissance for a project.  However, I wish I had had this book when I was working on that project.

Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson make a dynamic duo with this book.  Powell moves through Josephine's life beginning in St. Louis and traveling through her life as she journeyed from St. Louis to New Orleans to Philadelphia to New York and eventually Paris.  Josephine found a home and place where she felt accepted in Paris.  Throughout the book, readers discover Josephine as an entertainer and also some of the other aspects of  her life which included being a spy for France and her tendency to live in excess.  The story is told through quotes, poems, and verse in a manner that captures the essence that was Josephine. Robinson meticulously matches Powell's text with vibrant illustrations that perfectly captures Josephine's personality.

At the end, both Powell and Robinson include notes about their research, inspiration, and process in creating this beautiful tribute to Josephine Baker. 

This book is a must add to your classroom or school library biography collection for middle graders. Look for it at your local independent bookstore when it comes out in January.      

Pair it up with:


by Jonah Winters; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 2012)



Link up your nonfiction reviews:

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)