“A compelling drama with a firecracker protagonist that stuns with its strikingly beautiful writing.” — Kirkus, starred review If you’re looking for a book that meets students exactly where they are — navigating identity, injustice, and the pressure to stay quiet — Jasminne Mendez’s YA debut The Story of My Anger deserves a place on…
Tag: writing
Helping Little Ones Feel Ready for the Dentist with Corduroy Goes to the Dentist
If you have a toddler who gets anxious about dental visits — or one who’s about to experience their first trip to the dentist — there’s a sweet new addition to a beloved classic series that might just be your new secret weapon. Corduroy Goes to the Dentist by Don Freeman, illustrated by John Joseph,…
A Little Book with a Big Message for the Youngest Learners
As an African American father who raised three biracial daughters in Idaho, I understand deeply the power of affirmation and positive self-talk in a child’s development. In a state where diversity can sometimes feel scarce, ensuring that my daughters knew their worth, celebrated their identity, and believed in their limitless potential wasn’t just important. It…
A beautiful and lush story about the duality of home and the experience of living between two cultures
“Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.” – Cecelia Ahern Amid today’s heated debates over immigration in the United States, with families separated, borders politicized, and countless stories of displacement lost in the noise, i really enjoyed reading this quiet but profound counter perspective. Home, Home by debut picture book author and illustrator Sibu…
Creativity 101 – What Makes a Good Poem?
As we begin to look at our poems in more depth, here are some of the rubrics and ideas we will be using: What makes a good poem? – Short Poems What is Good Poetry (What Makes Good Poetry)? – PoetrySoup What Makes a Good Poem? – Marilyn Singer How to Critique Poetry: 9 Steps…
Strategies for the ACT English Test
It’s that time of year again. College applications are flowing out of high school students and parents are getting nervous. testing is a huge part of the formula, so here are some suggestions and resources to help keep nerves calm: Barron’s ACT English, Reading, and Writing Workbook by Linda Carnevale gives college-bound students extensive practice…
Mastering Basic Grammar and Usage for the ACT
As you’ve probably already gathered, the English Test will never explicitly ask you to name a grammatical error, reads SparkNotes. “But in order to identify and fix errors, you should know what they are. While you’ll often be able to rely on your ear to detect errors, many of the questions will ask you to…
350 Fabulous Writing Prompts: Thought-Provoking Springboards For Creative, Expository, and Journal Writing
350 Fabulous Writing Prompts: Thought-Provoking Springboards For Creative, Expository, and Journal Writing Paperback by Jacqueline Sweeney highlights creative, engaging, thought-provoking prompts for every day of the school year! More than 300 ways to motivate even your most reluctant writers. Topics include feelings, ethics, “imagineering,” quotations, humor, problem-solving, school situations, and so much more. For use…
Michelle Witte: “Big Isn’t Always Better”
The following is an excerpt from a blog entry by Michelle is an author, editor, and literary agent Michelle Witte, “Publishing is in flux,” Michelle writes. “Anyone who pays attention to the industry knows that. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. With change comes opportunity, and some of the smaller independent publishers out there…
What Makes a Good Poem? Creative Writing Lesson Plan – Thursday 6/20/13 and Friday 6/21/13
As we begin to look at our poems in more depth, here are some of the rubrics and ideas we will be using: What makes a good poem? – Short Poems What is Good Poetry (What Makes Good Poetry)? – PoetrySoup What Makes a Good Poem? – Marilyn Singer How to Critique Poetry: 9 Steps…
Young People's Pavilion 