If you are looking for some Middle Grade (upper Elementary and lower Middle School) books for boys, Michelle Skamene suggests you simply click on over to the Reading Rewards Blog part 1 and Reading Rewards Blog part 2.
For even more suggestions, there's a whole blog dedicated to boys reading over at Guys Read.
Added later:
The blog for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system called Boys Rule Boys Read focuses on boys. As does another blog -- Boys Rock Boys Read. That blog has a column of Most Popular Posts and the first one is Books Every Guy Should Read.
Have fun. -wo
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Carnival of Children's Literature
Once a month a selection of the best blog posts in the Kidlithosphere (people who blog about Children's Books -- either writing or reviewing them) is collected in one person's blog. This month's Carnival of Children's Literature is located at the blog, Texas Librarian.
Click on over and enjoy. -wo
Click on over and enjoy. -wo
Monday, September 26, 2011
Nonfiction Monday
Friday, September 23, 2011
Blog -- Smack Dab in the Middle
Ha!
Found a new blog by some Middle Grade children's book writers called, Smack Dab in the Middle. Contributors to this blog include:
Found a new blog by some Middle Grade children's book writers called, Smack Dab in the Middle. Contributors to this blog include:
- Alan Gratz
- Bob Krech
- Brian Farrey
- Christine Brodien-Jones
- Dia Calhoun
- Holly Schindler
- Irene Latham
- Jennifer Cervantes
- Joan Holub
- Jody Feldman
- John Claude Bemis
- Leslie Margolis
- Lisa Graff
- Lucy Jones
- Michael Townsend
- Naomi Kinsman
- Sarah Dooley
- Stephanie Blake
- Stephanie Burgis
- Suzanne Williams
- Tracy Barrett
- Trudi Trueit
- Tyler Whitesides
Interesting, I think when I copied their names, the link to their websites came up. I see several of the 11-year-old's favorite authors here. Check them out.
(added later)
Here's how they describe their blog and website:
-wo
(added later)
Here's how they describe their blog and website:
ABOUT SMACK DAB
-wo
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Reading, Researching, Writing
Such is the life I lead now:
Reading, reading, reading.
Found the book I need for a critical essay.
Began essay.
Checked reviews of the book only to discover it's the sequel of another book. Darn. Can't use it because I need a stand-alone book.
Back to the library. Checked out four more.
Reading, reading, reading.
Reading, reading, reading.
Found the book I need for a critical essay.
Began essay.
Checked reviews of the book only to discover it's the sequel of another book. Darn. Can't use it because I need a stand-alone book.
Back to the library. Checked out four more.
Reading, reading, reading.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Nonfiction Monday -- My Plate and You
I haven't had any boxes of books from publishers in so long, but today what should appear on my back porch -- but books from Capstone Press! An abundance of riches! Which should I read first? The pattern book from the math series? Volcano Explorers from their Landform Adventures series? Or the new nutrition book.
That's the one. (I can't turn down things about food.)
Take a look at My Plate and You by Gillia M. Olson, part of the Health and Your Body series. (illustrated by photographs) Available now.
Unless are living under a rock, OR you don't have children, you probably have heard that the food pyramid ( a representation of what you should eat and how much) has been replaced by MY PLATE. What the heck is MY PLATE? Well, right there on the first double page spread is a child on a computer looking at the website ChooseMyPlate.gov. If kids and adults go to that website, all will become clear.
The plate is divided into separate portions of fruits, grains, vegetables, and protein, with a separate circle indicating dairy right where you would place your glass or cup. No sign of fats on this plate. Vegetables and grains are about the same size and both are larger than fruits or protein. (they don't call it meat, anymore)
With two or three easy reading sentences on each page, on separate double-page spreads, the book then looks further into each portion, talking about why a person should eat this stuff.
Ah, then the book has a spread about fats and sugars -- showing no fat, but a boy drinking a sugared drink sorta like Kool-Aid, or Bug Juice as we called it at summer camp. Shouldn't they exercise? Didn't the previous food pyramid have exercize as part of a daily routine? Yes, and this book folds that into the discussion, too.
Fun Facts! Do you know that popcorn is considered a grain? (well, we do but I bet lots of kids don't.) The average person drinks about 23 gallons of milk each year. (not me. I can't drink milk.)
Glossary, Read More (three books listed, one of them from Capstone), Internet sites directed by the ever present Capstone Fact Hound, plus an index.
More Nonfiction Monday posts can be found at Tales from the Rushmore Kid. Have fun looking at these blog links and please leave comments. Sometimes comments are the only way a blogger knows that anyone is reading their blog. -wo
Take a look at My Plate and You by Gillia M. Olson, part of the Health and Your Body series. (illustrated by photographs) Available now.
Unless are living under a rock, OR you don't have children, you probably have heard that the food pyramid ( a representation of what you should eat and how much) has been replaced by MY PLATE. What the heck is MY PLATE? Well, right there on the first double page spread is a child on a computer looking at the website ChooseMyPlate.gov. If kids and adults go to that website, all will become clear.
The plate is divided into separate portions of fruits, grains, vegetables, and protein, with a separate circle indicating dairy right where you would place your glass or cup. No sign of fats on this plate. Vegetables and grains are about the same size and both are larger than fruits or protein. (they don't call it meat, anymore)
With two or three easy reading sentences on each page, on separate double-page spreads, the book then looks further into each portion, talking about why a person should eat this stuff.
Ah, then the book has a spread about fats and sugars -- showing no fat, but a boy drinking a sugared drink sorta like Kool-Aid, or Bug Juice as we called it at summer camp. Shouldn't they exercise? Didn't the previous food pyramid have exercize as part of a daily routine? Yes, and this book folds that into the discussion, too.
Fun Facts! Do you know that popcorn is considered a grain? (well, we do but I bet lots of kids don't.) The average person drinks about 23 gallons of milk each year. (not me. I can't drink milk.)
Glossary, Read More (three books listed, one of them from Capstone), Internet sites directed by the ever present Capstone Fact Hound, plus an index.
More Nonfiction Monday posts can be found at Tales from the Rushmore Kid. Have fun looking at these blog links and please leave comments. Sometimes comments are the only way a blogger knows that anyone is reading their blog. -wo
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Will e-books replace print books?
If you have been on one side or the other of the PRINT IS DEAD argument, you'll find this article by Seanan McGuire to be food for thought. Click on over to Across the Digital Divide and look at the discussion from the viewpoint of about 20% of Americans -- and a heck of a lot more people in other countries.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Can Celebrities write Good Children's Books?
Here's a great discussion in Atlantic Magazine by excellent children's book writers about celebrities who try to write for children.
Some celebrities work hard at their writing skills and succeed.
Some fail.
Some celebrities work hard at their writing skills and succeed.
Some fail.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Walking to school
My husband likes to tease the grandchildren by bragging he had to walk miles to school, uphill both ways, but these children are actually doing it!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
On the other hand, something to cheer you up
I hated church today. I hate crying in public and every mention of 9-11 does that. So, it was a relief to see Cake Wreck's offering for today -- cakes to help you to Be of Good Cheer.
Enjoy. And if you actually have seen one of these cakes in person, I'm jealous.
Enjoy. And if you actually have seen one of these cakes in person, I'm jealous.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Memories of 9-11
Lisa Yee asked on Facebook, "Where were you on 9-11?"
(people don't even have to mention the year -- but just in case you've been living in a cave, it was 9-11-01)
(and if you like numbers -- today is 9 - 10 - 11. I Love it.)
This was my reply:
I was at home getting ready for work.
Since I wasn't due in for a couple of hours, I watched the TODAY show. A few minutes before they were to sign off for the east coast watchers, Mat Lauer double tapped his earpiece, as if he thought something was wrong with it. Then he announced that something was happening.
An accident.
Flash to the first tower just after it was hit. They held the show over the 9:00 hour, just talking about it wondering how such a thing could happen -- and they actually filmed the second plane hitting the second tower.
OMG!
(this is now available on YouTube) In fact, several similar videos are available there.
I immediately called my workplace and told them they needed to pull out the TV, put it in the public area and Watch, as this event was played over and over.
Then we heard about the plane crashing into the Pentagon, then the news of a plane down in PA.
For the rest of the day, for the rest of the week, for the rest of the year, we waited for the other shoe to drop.
What would happen next?
I don' know about you, but I became a news-addict.
Where were you?
(people don't even have to mention the year -- but just in case you've been living in a cave, it was 9-11-01)
(and if you like numbers -- today is 9 - 10 - 11. I Love it.)
This was my reply:
I was at home getting ready for work.
Since I wasn't due in for a couple of hours, I watched the TODAY show. A few minutes before they were to sign off for the east coast watchers, Mat Lauer double tapped his earpiece, as if he thought something was wrong with it. Then he announced that something was happening.
An accident.
Flash to the first tower just after it was hit. They held the show over the 9:00 hour, just talking about it wondering how such a thing could happen -- and they actually filmed the second plane hitting the second tower.
OMG!
(this is now available on YouTube) In fact, several similar videos are available there.
I immediately called my workplace and told them they needed to pull out the TV, put it in the public area and Watch, as this event was played over and over.
Then we heard about the plane crashing into the Pentagon, then the news of a plane down in PA.
For the rest of the day, for the rest of the week, for the rest of the year, we waited for the other shoe to drop.
What would happen next?
I don' know about you, but I became a news-addict.
Where were you?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Packet 2 -- Sent
Busy, busy, busy the last few weeks writing and revising things for Packet 2.
I just sent it to my advisor.
I plan to take the weekend off. Relax. ...
Who am I kidding?
I have 2 meetings tomorrow and now have time to raise my head from my computer long enough to do a little housecleaning, family activities, and shopping. Oh yes, shopping. Fall doth approach and the 11-year-old won't stop growing. She probably needs all new fall and winter clothing, because her shape has also gotten more "shapely" if you know what I mean.
-wo
I just sent it to my advisor.
I plan to take the weekend off. Relax. ...
Who am I kidding?
I have 2 meetings tomorrow and now have time to raise my head from my computer long enough to do a little housecleaning, family activities, and shopping. Oh yes, shopping. Fall doth approach and the 11-year-old won't stop growing. She probably needs all new fall and winter clothing, because her shape has also gotten more "shapely" if you know what I mean.
-wo
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Gingerbread Cowboy news
Other Book News:
She says:
The Gingerbread Cowboy Anniversary Blog Blow Out begins today with the debut of the new Gingerbread Cowboy Book Trailer created by the incomparable Tina Nichols Coury and debuted at Tales of the Rushmore Kid .
She says:
To celebrate The Gingerbread Cowboy's Fifth Anniversary, I have something special for readers:
I will select one name at random from people who comment on any blog tour post to receive a $50 dollar gift certificate to OutWest Marketing, an online store for shoppers who are wild about the west. The Gift certificate will be good for 60 days and include a 10% discount and free shipping so be sure to leave your email contact information at the blog, Tales of the Rushmore Kid.
I will select one name at random from people who comment on any blog tour post to receive a $50 dollar gift certificate to OutWest Marketing, an online store for shoppers who are wild about the west. The Gift certificate will be good for 60 days and include a 10% discount and free shipping so be sure to leave your email contact information at the blog, Tales of the Rushmore Kid.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
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