Blog

Reflecting on YA Literature

This semester, and particularly this YA Lit course, has given me so much to think about as I move into the English classroom. Before, I did not make the conscious effort to seek out Young Adult or Middle Grade books; sure, I might find one by chance that interested me, but I wasn’t exploring theContinue reading “Reflecting on YA Literature”

Building Readers in a Pandemic

Online learning is the reality of education as we know it in 2020. While I sit at home, devouring books, I can’t help worrying about whether or not my students will want to do the same come fall. We no longer have the luxury of physically putting books into the hands of our young readers,Continue reading “Building Readers in a Pandemic”

Thoughts on YA Historical Fiction

In my conservative, small-town school, I grew up getting a very White-washed version of history.  It was the same curriculum taught from different angles each year, and I quickly came to dread History class altogether.  I do, however, have a very vivid memory of the historical fiction texts I read (The Cay and The TrueContinue reading “Thoughts on YA Historical Fiction”

Turning to Fellow Writers: an Interview with Will Walton

Writers young and old know the many different types of writer’s block intimately.  They’ve had long dinners with indifference blocks, stayed up late on the phone mediating arguments between frustrated and overwhelmed blocks.  Maybe (probably) they attended the wedding of lazy and bored block.  Let me go on record saying it was a beautiful wedding—everyoneContinue reading “Turning to Fellow Writers: an Interview with Will Walton”

Thoughts on YA Historical Fiction

In my small-town school system, I grew up getting a very White-washed version of history.  It was the same curriculum taught from different angles each year, and I quickly came to dread History class altogether.  I do, however, have a very vivid memory of the Historical Fiction texts I read (The Cay and The TrueContinue reading “Thoughts on YA Historical Fiction”

Literary Listography

A Character Study in Astrology

A study tactic I often used back in undergrad was looking up various authors I was studying in class and finding their birthday, so I could discover their astrological sign. I know a lot of people (Boomers, ahem) think this is ridiculous and counterproductive, but it really helped me round out the images I wasContinue reading “A Character Study in Astrology”

Reading Ladders

After I read about reading ladders from Teri Lesesne, I immediately started considering how I could use this with my ninth and tenth graders this fall and in the future. A lot of ideas came to mind, and I drew on my experience from running a book club. I wanted to pick a larger genreContinue reading “Reading Ladders”