As a teacher, I thought you might want to know about the debut (last Monday) of The Picnic Basket where school and library professionals taste new and forthcoming children's books with first-come, first-serve sample copies of books for kids of all ages. We send free books. You tell us what y... more

As a teacher, I thought you might want to know about the debut (last Monday) of The Picnic Basket where school and library professionals taste new and forthcoming children's books with first-come, first-serve sample copies of books for kids of all ages. We send free books. You tell us what you think: look to see what’s in the weekly feast, request the books that you want to taste, read the books, and then post reviews on The Picnic Basket for your colleagues to read.

It’s a blog full of all you can read (and write) about children’s literature and I hope will become an additional resource for teachers. So far, the feedback’s been overwhelmingly positive. I hope you’ll take a peek and partake in the picnic.

Thanks,
Deborah Sloan
www.thepicnic-basket.com

Hi Sue,
You asked why I chose Ohio as the setting for my new novel, ITCH. It's funnny -- Ohio just "spoke" to me (much like the character did, I suppose) -- though I have family there, so that might have influenced my decision. I hope you get to read ITCH and that you enjoy it!
:-) Michell... more

Hi Sue,
You asked why I chose Ohio as the setting for my new novel, ITCH. It's funnny -- Ohio just "spoke" to me (much like the character did, I suppose) -- though I have family there, so that might have influenced my decision. I hope you get to read ITCH and that you enjoy it!
:-) Michelle

Hi Sue,
Your passion for the work you do truly shines through in your profile. Your lucky students!
Thanks for saying you want to read my first novel, BABY BLUE. I hope you'll check out my second one, too - ITCH, just published, which takes place in Ohio against the backdrop of... more

Hi Sue,

Your passion for the work you do truly shines through in your profile. Your lucky students!

Thanks for saying you want to read my first novel, BABY BLUE. I hope you'll check out my second one, too - ITCH, just published, which takes place in Ohio against the backdrop of the Vietnam War.

Thanks for adding me as your friend!
:-) Michelle

Yeah, I would hope that they do listen, but someone will and I hope it will spread either through the masses or slowly with individuals. i work as a janitor lets just say that I will leave my book behind in a pile of books once it is published in all the schools I go to. Janitor is a temp job. jus... more

Yeah, I would hope that they do listen, but someone will and I hope it will spread either through the masses or slowly with individuals. i work as a janitor lets just say that I will leave my book behind in a pile of books once it is published in all the schools I go to. Janitor is a temp job. just letting you know haha

Sue,
I taught 9th and 11th graders who were also reluctant readers. I am a part of The Brown Bookshelf and we have several recommendations for reluctant readers that I think some of your students will enjoy. Check us out at http://thebrownbookshelf.com/blog/ where we have put together e... more

Sue,

I taught 9th and 11th graders who were also reluctant readers. I am a part of The Brown Bookshelf and we have several recommendations for reluctant readers that I think some of your students will enjoy. Check us out at http://thebrownbookshelf.com/blog/ where we have put together entries that include how to encourage reading, titles for recommended reading, and heads up on new releases. I think you'll find a few titles to pass along to your students.

Miz Browne,
Thanks for signing up to be one of my friends. My motivational program, Shine Through, is a program that helps middle school girls (and now boys) learn how to be themselves and to stop wearing masks to cover up who they really are. They learn examples of how they might be playing s... more

Miz Browne,
Thanks for signing up to be one of my friends. My motivational program, Shine Through, is a program that helps middle school girls (and now boys) learn how to be themselves and to stop wearing masks to cover up who they really are. They learn examples of how they might be playing soccer, for example, not because they like soccer, but because their friends are playing it. Soccer is not a bad thing, but if they are following their friends for this, then what happens if their friends are at an unsupervised party with alcohol? You can learn more about my program on my website at www.MyPurpleWig.com. If you are interested in having a program at your school, there is information on my website as well. My blogs on jacketflap also contain very positive messaging for teens as well.
thanks,
kristina