What's New?

Anchors aweigh! LIFEBOAT 12, my debut middle grade novel-in-verse, is in bookstores NOW! In a *STARRED* review, SLJ says, "This stirring novel-in-verse based on a true story is an edge-of-your-seat survival tale, an extensively researched work of historical fiction, and an exemplar of the form."

 

Also new for 2018 is SHAKING THINGS UP: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World. Take a look at my interview with Mr. Schu and the book trailer here! 

 

Wow! ADA'S VIOLIN was named an E.B. White Honor Book! Quite the honor indeed to be in the company of some of my favorite picture books from 2016. See photos below. 

 

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March, 2017

Diving into a New Book

Working 24/7 on a thrilling new project. More news when I come up for air! 

February, 2017

Bluebonnet Books

ADA is nominated for the 2017-2018 Texas Bluebonnet Award. Thank you, Texas librarians and kids, and congrats to all. I've read a bunch of these and can't wait to check out the rest!

 

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January, 2017

Mock Caldecotts and Siebert Smackdowns

Every year teachers around the country get their kids buzzing about books and the ALA Youth Media Awards (held at the end of January) by holding their own mock competitions. Author Melissa Stewart explains how it works in this blog post and teacher Michele Knott talks about how these projects enourage young readers to look through a critical lens. Thanks for sharing these photos with me and congrats to all the winners! 

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December, 2016

Happy Holidays to All! 

 

Best Books of Year Lists

Love this time of year when everyone looks back at the books published in the past 12 months and remembers the ones that wowed us; the ones that made us giggle, shed a tear, or mull over a big idea; the ones we couldn't wait to share with kids. So many riches in 2016! I have more favorites than I could possibly name, but here are two picture books I thought broke the mould:

 

And when one of your own books makes a Best Book of the Year list? What a gift! Thanks to these sites for including ADA'S VIOLIN on your lists:

 

International Reading Association: Notable Books for a Global Society 2017

 

NCTE Orbis Pictus Award: Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

 

New York Public Library: 100 Best Books for Kids 2016

 

Center for the Study of Multicultural Studies: Best Books of 2016 

 

California Reading Association: Eureka Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Medal

 

SLJ and Fuse 8's 2016 Nonfiction Picture Books selected by Betsy Bird

 

The 2016 Nerdies: Nonfiction Picture Books

 

All the Wonders: Best of 2016 Nonfiction Picture Books

 

So You Want to Write a Children's Book

Another highlight of the month was this sold-out, full-day workshop hosted by the Fairfield Public Library in Fairfield, CT. Kudos to Town Librarian Karen Ronald and her staff and especially to event organizer (and children's book illustrator) MaryJo Scott for a fabulous day! 

 

                Jennifer Thermes, Deborah Freedman, me, Karlin Gray, Tracy Newman.

               Not pictured: Ann Rockwell, Lizzy Rockwell

 

 

 

                             Michaela MacColl, Ann Haywood Leal, Christine Pakkala,

                             Susan Ross, Elise Broach, Tony Abbott, Nora Raleigh Baskin,

                             and Moderator Susannah Richards

 

November 2016

THE FIX-IT MAN DEBUTS NOVEMBER 8

Illustrator Arree Chung and I had a great time collaborating on this book about Joshua James and his sister Sophie—two pint-sized builders who use creative problem-solving to rid the house of a stinky problem. School Library Journal says, "VERDICT: Pair with Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist for a terrific session on the trial and error of tinkering and problem-solving. A recommended general purchase." Perfect for tiny tinkerers who love MakerSpaces, THE FIX-IT MAN has been chosen as the book of the month at My Book Box. 

 

NerdCamp!

I went to my first NerdCamp in Long Island and what a great day it was! 

 

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October 2016

HOORAY FOR READ-ALOUD DAY!

Anyone reading the New York Times lately knows that Bridgeport, CT, schools are sadly neglected. One organization that has been trying to change that for the past 30 years is the School Volunteer Association, which hosts a city-wide Read-Aloud Day each October.

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More than 650 volunteers go into the classrooms to share a love of reading and donate copies of the selected books. I'm humbled to have ADA'S VIOLIN selected as the fifth grade book, among fantastic reads by Sophie Blackhall, Beth Ferry, Doug Florian, Heather Lang, Nicola O'Bryne, and Patricia Polacco.

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Author Visits

I'd love to come to your event! Click here to contact me about scheduling a visit to your school, library, bookstore or book festival.

 

 

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Upcoming Events

  • December 1, 2018

    NCSS Annual Conference

    Featured Speaker 9-10am

    Book signing 10-12pm

    Hyatt Regency Chicago

    151 E. Wacker Dr.

    Chicago, IL

    www.socialstudies.org

    9:00am to 12:00pm