I stumbled upon this website while looking for fundraising ideas for my church. Yesboxx allows people to raise money for their favorite charities simply by shopping for the things they already shop for.

When you purchase something through Yesboxx, a portion of your purchase goes to the charity of your choice. I shop online anyway, so what the heck? Some of the money I spend might as well go to a worthy cause, right?

I used to love watching Fraggle Rock. This cute page lets you discover what Fraggle Rock character you are by answering a few questions.

Take the quiz here

Hi, my name is Tracie Zimmer. I'm just an ordinary girl from Birmingham, Alabama.

I have a schnauzer named Gretchen. I like cooking and the outdoors, among many other things.

This is where you will find the things that interest me. I hope you find something that interests you too.

 I know I would not be a writer without so many teachers who encouraged me along the way: Mrs. Karen Sternberg (who I still can't bring myself to call Karen without concentrating), Mr. Davis, Mrs. Yeatts, Mrs. Dingledein and dozens of others. I'm so proud to be teaching now in the same district that helped me become a writer and today I hope the voters give us the support we need to keep doing it the right way, too with our school levy on the ballot!


I also want to say a HUGE thanks to all the teachers I've worked with over the years who have made the sisterhood a safe place to be myself. I couldn't do this job without their friendship!!

THANKS, too, for my students, of course without whom I would not be a teacher!  I'm so lucky to have gotten to know each of you this year. 

Happy Poetry Month!


I'm thrilled to be included in this year's 30 Poets 30 Days:

http://gottabook.blogspot.com/2010/04/tracie-vaughn-zimmer-cousins-of-clouds.html


See the cover of Cousins of Clouds!

Don't forget to drop a book for a teen to find today! It supports literacy and well, it's just fun. I'd post a picture of mine but my phone went dead!

Hope you are all well and enjoying all the beautiful flowers and sunshiny days... Read the rest of this post

 Popping in-between laundry and grading papers to say HAPPY SPRING everyone. I must tell you that as a teacher spring means so much to me! It is a reminder that I only have a bit of time left to convert all my students into readers and writers. It has been a really long winter here in so many ways but I am hopeful for new things and warmth and flip flops! Happy toe weather!

My writing is sporadic too but I THINK about writing all the time. Julia Durango and I still have virtual writing dates sometimes in the evening and this can make a difference. Knowing that I'll be forced to make progress sparks my brain somehow even when I'm busy with meaningless tasks like grocery shopping or driving to hockey practice. 

So, happy spring to everyone. May your ideas bloom like the crocus in the side yard!

Hi, Everyone!

Hope you are staying warm and healthy. We are buried in the most snow I have seen since I was a kid! I wanted to share with you one thing I've been up to lately:
MY NEW WEBSITE DESIGN

a fresh new design by the talented Donna Farrell
Thanks, Donna for making my site so shiny!


Also I created a new blog for all the guides that once lived on my website. Now they are on a searchable blog that I can easily update all the time! (No giant chore waiting for me twice a year just zip, zap, post!) Named after my favorite poem by my favorite poet please visit (and lovely of you to follow) my new

WILD GEESE GUIDES


Now let's go make some warm hot chocolate and get back to that research... Read the rest of this post

 I'm not sure if I should keep this blog alive. Right now, it feels like another obligation I cannot field.

I am (at last) chasing a new idea and devouring research and giddily playing with words an ideas. And that seems like where I ought to be putting any (all?) of my creative energy that is left after teaching.

I am too insecure to just dash out words here. So.

 I miss my friends here on LJ and occasionally someone from the "real" world will scold me for not updating this blog as I teach. But, teaching takes a WHOLE LOTTA hours!  I haven't found my balance and I'm not sure what to do. 

I WISH I had enough time to teach and blog and write poems and make dinner and still have clean underwear but apparently, I have yet to figure that out.


But maybe an oddball post like this one will work once in a while? It's all I have, for now.

Exit left to research.... Read the rest of this post

 Inspired by joknowles I let myself write a long list of big dreams for 2010. It feels good to focus on the positive, and the future and I thank her for nudging me to do this. It is good to think forward, to dream about what we would like to see unfold for ourselves. While many things on the list were personal I was surprised how much writing still holds me hostage! I have not found much balance, yet, with my teaching/writing/parenting life  but I will.  I will.

Anyway, I encourage you to make a list and carve these dreams into your imagination. Let's braid all our hopes together this year... Read the rest of this post

 I have been walking consistently since June and this is my favorite path. I thought I would share some pictures since I've been so short on words...

 This is where we start.


 My favorite tree (I always choose one, whatever town I live in)

 The Enchanted path (with Louie as our guide)

 A bridge to lovely

 A place to think

 A kaleidoscope of color

When I can't fall into the arms of words I at least have this walk several days a week. It has become almost a friend, this path, and my time as close to meditation as I ever hope to quiet myself. I'm so glad I took my iphone and shot these to keep as I see winter unpacking her suitcases... Read the rest of this post

Would you help my friend and vote so that she will be included in a box of Cheerios (well SHE won't be but her wonderful book)...

http://promo.simonandschuster.com/cheerios-poll/poll.php



There's the link! Thank you...

Hope you had a great week!  

 At 7:15 EST each morning you can picture me standing in front of 28 freshman students sharing everything I've learned about writing over the last ten years. Three of those mornings they write in their journal for ten minutes and I join them (modeling, you know) and that is all I'm writing for now. But I love to see my students bent over their words, crafting their memories into images, sweating over the perfect lead or really questioning where the best spot might be to add dialogue. I love teaching the craft of writing but I must admit to you that teaching reading to freshman or 2nd graders or even grandparents (like I did in a literacy class in Virginia) is still my favorite. Oh, I love to fiddle with words but there is nothing finer than turning someone into a reader. This year I know I have already converted one soul to the cathedral of books. More, I hope, shall follow. Despite all the changes my current life is raining down on me like the autumn leaves I know I'm gathering images, plucking up snatches of dialogue, pouring images into the well. Someday (and soon, I hope) the words will spill.

I miss reading Live Journal and hearing everyone's good news and their struggles but I have bits of time only for online activities so I hope my hokey pokey like appearances will still keep my pass here active. My days are so busy now that I'm teaching full-time.  Very often I work 10 hour days, sometimes more, always something to do on the weekend. But I got my first full-time paycheck in over 11 years! Hooray!

I'm THINKING about writing more than I'm getting time to compose and trying to eek out time to be creative after a full day with students is just, well, impossible for the time being. I'm not even going to guilt myself until October. Well, that was my original plan but now I may let myself off the hook until after the holidays! I will have flickers of ideas for poetry collections and I have a new novel idea that keeps scratching at the back door of my mind to be let it in. But 12 year old is running Cross Country and I love spending afternoons that he has meets under the clear September skies cheering him and his entrouage of friends. At the finish line I invariably well up to see how hard those kids are trying to find their personal best and I'm so proud!

Yesterday I did sneak off to the Preble County Pork Festival where I did not eat pork but petted it! I should've been born on a farm. I looked for an elephant ear stand (fried bread dough + powerdered sugar= heaven) but was disappointed not to find one. Giant barns are filled with all varieties of crafts and I bought an adorable soft sculpture baby doll for my neice, Ohio State dangly earrings, and some honey-based lip balm.

Now it's back to my homework with a wish that you have a wonderful week full of words... Read the rest of this post

This is what one of my students said on Friday and I have to tell you that my heart cracked open and the sun shone through. I forgot how much I really do love working with people who don't wear the same defenses as the rest of us who are wide open with each moment. It is a gift to read to these guys each day (and we are reading THE HUNGER GAMES) which is so much fun to read aloud! I was worried it might be a bit complex but that is the beauty of the read-aloud, isn't it? Kids who might never get through a novel on their own can float on the language and be carried off with me.  Feeling down? Need a boost? Find someone who would be grateful to hear your bring a story to life, it might just change your own. 

Remember the paradox of The Muse:  she's not available to you until you've put in so much work that you no longer need her; then she'll fall in love with you.   – Susan Patron, Newbery-award winning author of THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY

“When I started out, I was urged to enjoy the process, because that, and not publication, is what you can count on. And I still think it's good day-to-day advice. The writing that I like doing is stronger than anything I try to force.” -Jeannine Atkins author of HOW HIGH CAN WE CLIMB

 
To not just be willing to  revise but to have the stomach to do it so fearlessly- to tear apart, to sacrifice your favorite scene or character, to rethink everything in the story down to individual syllables is what will set you apart from all the people who want to be published from those who usually are.  - Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

"It's just the stupid first draft, just get it down. Any end will do for now." Katherine Patterson, Newbery Medal Winner

Basically I write to move me--either to tears or laughter--doesn't really matter which, just so long as I'm moved. – Rukhsana Khan, author of MUSLIM CHILD

Some people love revision. Some hate it. But I think all of us agree that revision is where the book happens. Story might show up in a draft, but a book is made in revision. – Linda Urban, author of A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT

I would say the single best piece of advice I could give a writer would be to continually work on your individual style. Develop your voice. Your distinct way of telling a story or writing a poem is what will make you different from the rest and make your work stand out  - Jaime Adoff, author of THE DEATH OF JAYSON PORTER

The advice I have is to read a lot. In between reading a lot, you need to write a lot. People are writers because they write, every single day. Whether it’s simply in a journal, or a poem or thoughts scribbled on a napkin, the writing center of the brain should be activated all the time. – Fiona Rosenbloom, author of YOU ARE SO NOT INVITED TO MY BAR MITZVAH

Write often. Practice your craft. Keep a journal of thoughts, ideas, and observations. Read a lot. Give your writing the hearing test. As you write, read your work aloud; listen to how the words sound. Rewrite again and again.  – Carol Boston Weatherford, author of MOSES

The best advice that I was given was that the real work of being a writer takes place during revision. A first draft is just an outline that points you in the general direction that you want to travel as a writer. It isn’t until you start revising and editing that you really get down to the nuts and bolts of creating character and plot.- Varian Johnson, author of MY LIFE AS A RHOMBUS

"Talent is the desire to practice, right? It is that you love something so much that you are willing to sacrifice and commit to that " – Malcolm Gladwell, from his bestselling OUTLIERS

Feel free to add your own in the comments!!!

I'm teaching a writing for children class on Monday so I asked around on a few message boards and here and these are the answers I got to the question about which writing books are your favorite...


Authors choose their favorite writing books:

Dian Curtis Regan Chooses:

Writing Picture Books, a Hands-on Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul

Shutta Crum:

On Writing by Stephen King

Take Joy by Jane Yolen

Story by McKee

Heather Vogel Frederick & R.A. Nelson both choose:

The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield

Rukhsana Khan:

Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular by Rust Hills

Fred Bortz:

The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books by James Cross Giblin, and Barbara Seuling's How to Write a Children's Book and Get It Published. I'm partial to Giblin.

 And for inspiration, Take Joy by Jane Yolen.

Uma Krishnaswami:

I too love the Zinsser book. Also the Worlds of Childhood collection with a forward by him. And for novel-length work there's nothing like Janet Burroway's Fiction Writing. With lots of examples from literary (grownup) fiction but satisfyingly complex.

Barb O’Connor:

Creative Habit, by Twyla Tharp

Ann Stampler:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Stacy DeKeyser:

On Writing by Stephen King

Susan Patron:

A Literary Life by Carolyn See

Jeanine Atkins:

Writing and Illustrating Children's Books for Publication: Two Perspectives by Berthe Aoss and Eric Suben is one I recommend. There are good quotes, exercises, suggestions for further reading, and they cover the basics well and with more panache than the not terribly exciting title suggests!

For those writing for older children, any collection of Katherine Paterson's essays is bound to inspire, I think.

And me:
The Poetry Home Repair Manual by Ted Kooser 
In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop by Steve Kowit

I'm teaching a class on writing for children in about a week and am looking to compile a list of great books. Would you email me your favorite books on the craft or publishing? Would you also reveal the best writing advice you ever received? I'll make a pretty blog post with what I get too!
send to: tvzimmer   at mac dot com    (in typical format of course)

THANK YOU! 

 It's been a strange summer so far but I'm glad that LJ and my friends wait here for me, whenever I find a moment to dip back into my writing side of my life.  I hope your 4rth and your summer is full of all the things that mean most to you. 


Here's Mickey and Louie sharing a holiday meal. Natural enemies, best of friends. Much to be learned over a dish bowl, methinks. Now I'm off to put that potato casserole into the oven before the picnic (go AWAY, rain!) and check that key lime pie....

This is a great book for exploring the equation of friendship and a main character who thinks about the world in mathematical terms. Read it this summer- put it your classroom this fall.

Secrets, Lies and Algebra
by Wendy Lichtman


About the book: Tess loves math because it’s the one subject she can trust—there’s always just one right answer, and it never changes. But then she starts algebra and is introduced to those pesky and mysterious variables, which seem to be everywhere in eighth grade. When even your friends and parents can be variables, how in the world do you find out the right answers to the really important questions, like what to do about a boy you like or whom to tell when someone’s done something really bad? Will Tess’s life ever stop changing long enough for her to figure it all out?

Awards for the book: Bank Street College Best Children's Books of 2008; Northern California Book Awards, Best Children's Literature of 2007; Cynsational Best Books of 2008; Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee, 2009-2010


About the author:
Wendy Lichtman is the author of several novels for young readers, including the follow-up to this book, Do the Math: The Writing on the wall. She also tutors math. She lives in Berkeley, California.


Author interview:

1.    How did you decide to integrate math into Tess’s story? 
I love math, and in fact my BA is in that subject.  But I never used it in my writing until I thought about how I wanted to tell this particular story: At the heart of Secrets, Lies and Algebra is a questionable death—and algebra, which explore unknowns and variables, and in which some problems have more than one solution, seemed a perfect metaphor.

2.    Do you jump into a story and see where it will lead or map it all out first? Why?
  I jump in.   One of the reasons I love first drafts is that I can be as creative as possible—I give myself a lot of leeway when I begin.  When I see the story forming, then, yes, I begin to map it out.


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Pre-reading:
Math inspires either a dogged devotion or an intense repulsion. Why do you think this is? What does it reveal about someone who likes math? Why, do you think, have girls been depicted as not liking or having success in math? How can these stereotypes be overcome?

Discussion guide:

1.    “…since who you’re greater than (>)  and who you’re less than (<) is kind of the point of eighth grade.” (p.3) Do you agree that middle school is all about this ranking of people? When do you think this disappears? Why is it so pervasive during this time?
2.    How does creating the graphs help Tess sort through her thinking about what happened to Nina? Do you think her mother should’ve talked to her no matter what?  What helps you sort through your own thinking?
3.    Why is Tess’s mom suspicious of  Rob for his wife’s death? Would you want to go to the police or not? Why?
4.    Why is Tess suddenly disappointed in both algebra and her mother? What things do you rely on to stay consistent in your life?
5.    Tess seems conflicted about telling on Richard though she’s certain her mom should tell on Rob. Are there times to tell and times to stay silent? How do you know the difference?
6.    Tess tells Miranda and Sammy the secret about Robt. Who could you trust with such an important secret? With whom could you create a Venn diagram? With whom would you have an empty set?
7.    Discuss why the death of Nina is more like a theorem than an axiom. Can you see Tess’s mom’s point about not telling too?
8.    Do you think it’s wise that Tess and Sammy went looking for evidence at Rob’s house? Why or why not? Can you see things that aren’t really there when you’re looking for them? What evidence did they find?
9.    Who betrayed Tess’s secret? How does she know? Can you keep a secret? Is it necessary for friendship?
10.    Do you think Ms. Saltzman is a good math teacher? What qualities make the best teachers? Do you, like Tess, have difficulty concentrating on school when faced with problems?
11.    List all the problems Tess is facing in the novel. Which one would be most disturbing for you? Why? How do you think she should handle each of them?
12.    Have you ever had a boomerang moment with your own parents?
13.     What symbol does Tess use to define herself? What does she use for her friends? What symbol would best represent you? Why?
14.    How many people benefited from Richard’s pilfering of the test?  Is it fair? Should Tess tell? How is it resolved?
15.    How does Mr. Wright discover something went wrong with the tests? Do you think the state tests are given too much importance in the curriculum? Do these tests make you nervous?
16.    Why does Tess decide to tell what she believes about Richard and the test? Would you?
17.    What connections does Tess finally make between her relationship with her friends and what happened with her mom? What do you think she’s learned?
18.    Describe what happened at the dance. Is this typical for middle school events?
19.    Do you think it’s obvious that Damien and Tess like each other? How do they react around one another? Predict what you think will happen six months after the close of the novel.
20.     Lynn drives Tess a little crazy by always saying that something happened to her and repeating information that isn’t her business. Are there other traits that drive you crazy too?  How can you handle a person like Lynn?



Across the curriculum:

Reading:
Good readers make predictions about their books as they read based on what they know about the characters, evidence they’ve gathered while reading and their knowledge of story structure. At the end of each chapter make a prediction about what you think will happen next and why. Remember that predictions are often wrong and that’s fine (if we always knew what would happen few of us would keep reading!)


Writing:
Wendy Lichtman uses math to bring Tess’s story to life. Using your own passion (soccer, dance, music) use terms from that hobby to illuminate a friendship story of your own.


Art:
Create a collage that incorporates images from the story as well as mathematical formulas. Explain your choice of color, design, forms and formulas in a brief artist’s statement on the back.

Math:

As you read the novel fill out the following graphic organizer. Use it to jump off discussion in both math and reading:

Term:                                               Definition:    Example:    Why it’s important to the story:
Tangent
           
Tesselation
           
DNE
           
Infinite
           
Venn Diagram
           
Empty Set
           
Axiom
           
Theorem
           
Quadratic Equation
           
Prime numbers
           
Imaginary #’s
           
Additive Property of Equality
           
Extraneous Solution
           
Asymptotes
           
Line
           
Line segment
           




This guide was created by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, a reading specialist and children’s author, visit her website to find hundreds of guides to children’s and young adult literature.

It's so quiet here today. The husband is out of town, the kids at school. Soon it will be summer and even when they are not making noise (Or much noise) there is an added energy to the walls. I swear I can tell whether the kids are in their bedrooms even when I've just gotten home. I hope to write this summer. I've learned so much about teaching again and reading and writing for kids but now I just want to DO it, not analyze it. I want to escape on the wings of words. 

 I know the festival was on Saturday and it is now already Wednesday but do forgive me as it is end-of-the year crunch time with teaching and I managed to turn in 3 Chapters and a synopsis for a new historical novel on Monday!! Hooray!

The festival was jam-packed with authors and talks and good food.  I met two household names for kids- the lovely Margaret Peterson Haddix and R.L. Stine ("Bob," who knew?) Margaret and I are also both graduates of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She is also the client of one of my dear friends, Tracey Adams. 


I met many librarians and teachers and all the wonderful Ohioana book people, especially Linda Hengst. I finally got to meet Sharon Draper in person. I love her writing, especially COPPER SUN which is the best slave narrative I've ever encountered and can get any reluctant reader to gobble it up.
 
I also spent time with the talented Jaime Adoff, his wife, dad, and beautiful daughter at the governor's residence. Here I am with Frances Strikland herself (she told me the governor was in Cincinnati at an official event where he was undoubtedly picking at his dinner and then eating at first Frisch's Big Boy on the way home to Columbus, his favorite restaurant )



The gardens around the residence were simply AMAZING! I still know the names of most plants after writing Reaching for Sun... a skill my kids find amusing since I kill most of them who come to live with me.

 I made a new friend sitting next to Carmella Van Vleet who writes the most amazing non-fiction project books about Egypt, Inventions, Polar Regions, just about anything!  And I can't wait to read BENEATH MY MOTHER"S FEET by Amjed Qamar who was on the "Not Just Harry Potter" panel with me about her time living in Pakistan.  There were more than 60 authors in attendance on Saturday. Is it something in the Ohio water or is it the long winters that keep us huddled over our keyboards? I don't know but this Ohioan is proud to be a part of al of it and SO honored that The Floating Circus is a finalist for the state award!

This Saturday join me at the Ohioana Book Festival!

State Library of Ohio
274 East 1st Avenue
Columbus

There will be panel discussions, and readings, and signings! There will be Jaime Adoff (my friend who wrote the amazing DEATH OF JAYSON PORTER) and I get to meet MARGARET PETERSON HADDIX (one of my son's favorites!) and Sharon Draper (I love COPPER SUN).

I'll be on the panel discussion at 11:30  "Not just Harry Potter: The Art of Writing and Illustrating Books for Younger Audiences"
Read at 3:00


Please come! Please come!

 I had a wonderful time at the conference! It was great to speak to so many reading teachers and literacy coaches from across the country and discuss the latest issues in literacy. I heard some great speakers and saw many of my friends! Pictured here: Laura Purdie Salas (STAMPEDE!) and Joyce Sidman (RED SINGS from TREETOPS). It was time for a poetry sisterhood after my speech, "Beyond Haiku" which encouraged teachers to start with content, instead of form when they teach poetry. I loved hearing Elise Broach's approach to her wonderful novels and listen to her process.

Sunday I went to the Mall of America and even though I've seen pictures of that ferris wheel and rides I had no idea just how enormous it is. The amusement park sits in the middle and the mall surounds it on all sides. I found it, well, exhausting and even a little obscene. I did not buy anything, except lunch. 

I had dinner with my Bloomsbury people: Melanie Cecka, Beth Eller and Katie Fee at Spoonriver, an organic restaurant. It was great to catch up with them at this intimate little dinner. I had a lovely caesar salad (I'm always looking for the best caesar) and the strawberry shortcake was divine!

I also got to hang out with Paul Janeczko and Chris Raschka and Jenny from Candlewick at the gorgeous Cafe Lucrat (and I met so many lovely teachers too!) where I had the best sea bass I've ever tasted. (Too dark for iphone pictures). The highlight, absolutely, was talking poetry. There's something so intimate about loving the same poets, in a way that is not the same with novels. Why is this? Maybe because poetry washes us as clean as spring rain.

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Drinks and food (best bruschetta ever at Staccato) with librarian goddess Toni Buzzeo and Jane Kurtz and her lovely daughter Rebecca. I also got to hang out with and score more arcs by having the bubbly and encyclopedic fount of book-reading knowledge at my side, Lisa Von Drasek who is also now on Team Barry. She introduced me to Jacqueline Woodson! 

I thought I was going to have to sign books next to (and therefore twiddle my thumbs) by Jane Yolen but she was finishing as I came on in the Houghton booth. I was honored that she wanted a copy of Steady Hands signed to her and jealous that it will reside in her poetry room. A poetry room! 

I stayed at the completely swank GRAVES 601 (across from the Target Center). It was ultra-modern, sleek, with fabulous art installations and funky lamps.  I think every mom should get to go stay in such a hotel at least once a year! The public spaces had a dark feel to it (like a CSI episode) but the bedroom was bright and clean lined and zen:

 Please come see me at International Reading Association: 

Monday May 4

11:00 AM  Signing Bloomsbury Booth (#839)  

1:00 PM  "Beyond Haiku: Building a Poetry Repertoire" (Featured Author Strand)

 Minneapolis CC, Room 200 ABC
3:00 Signing at the CLARION BOOTH (#2536)

And here's a new poem I wrote for an anthology to raise money for the Patch Adams hospital:

Peace

It’s wiggling the hook out

of the fish’s mouth

watching the flash and form

dissolve  in dark waters.

It’s bitter words swallowed

before they push past

the gates of angry lips.

It’s a back turning

a head shaking

a refusal to hear

an ugly rumor,

a compromising joke,

lies.

It’s sandbags

passed hand to hand

by a river

that’s tipping over,

or a guest bedroom

bulging with refugees.

It’s oatmeal

on cracked, swollen

fly-bitten lips.

A book

whose words

seem meant for the reader

or post-card scenery

sliding past a window.

It’s the perfect silence

of an empty room

all one’s own.

It’s this hand,

reaching out to yours.

 
- Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Maya Ganeson is doing the Poetry Friday round-up over at allegro