A New Year's Like No Other

 

Every NYE we hop on the Mass Pike and head east to my cousins' annual party. We are merry and happy as we catch up with the Watertown crowd. 

I always try and convince my husband to leave work early so my cousin and I can hop over to Zia's. There I will find super cool things like my favorite sweatshirt cape I love to leap in or that funky scarf I will still wear to dress things up a bit.

So what's happening this year? Instead of Zia's, I handed off Newbery 2021 contending books to some fifth and sixth graders who just couldn't wait till Monday to start reading.  I don't blame them. Who can refuse a guaranteed good read this NYE weekend? 

I'm finishing up Monday's "Author Fan Face-Off" challenge book, The Mysterious Benedict Society. Back when we first started our show, I reached out to my friend, Carole, in LA to see if she had any star students who would be up for the challenge.  Months later, we get to meet Sabrina "in person"! It will be then that I will thank her for giving me the opportunity to revisit the world of Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance.  Having not read the book in over 10 years, every detail except for maybe that the kids are gifted (and that is easily found on the back of the book), was completely erased from my memory. I'll be curious what Trenton Lee Stewart remembers. Stay tuned...

Back in the spring my friend, Dawn and I, walked 25-30 or more miles a week.  Every week.  We are still walking but since I'm closing my move and exercise ring with my .5 mile walk to and from school and pushing my library on wheels up and down the hallways, our walks are much shorter. But today we closed the ring and then some with a 6.5 mile walk reminiscent of March (and April and May and...)

And I'll probably eat some cheese, a few cookies, watch the ball drop and welcome the new year with open arms. Fantastic to meet you, 2021. We've all been waiting for this day for a long time!

My friend Alicia always posts about her last and first book of the year.  Mine? The last one could very well be Benedict Society, unless you count an essay, poem or conversation from Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of Covid-19 Edited by Jennifer Haupt. My first of 2021? It's a toss up--I could be catching up on my 2021 Newbery contenders (currently my students and I are intrigued by the Adrianna Cuevas's debut, The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez), looking ahead to 2022 (Jenni Holm has a new book coming out Tuesday!) or prepping for future Face-Offs.  Whatever it is, I will try not to be too sad to miss our annual New Year's Day send off back west of ice cream from Rancatores or JP Licks. I will swap ice cream for a soothing cup of tea (yes, you read that right, Alicia!) and escape to another world via the written word.  Happy New Year and HELLO 2021!

Take a Hike

My son Zack, the Z in the YouTube channel, RTWJAZ, and his best friend, John (the "J") decided in the late summer that they wanted to attempt the 46 Adirondack high peaks and document each hike through their videos. I was thrilled with the idea because since they will need adult accompaniment I happily volunteered to join the challenge as well.

As of late September, we got two down. Woohoo! Only 44 to go. I'm not afraid of the road more or less travelled and excited for this new adventure ahead of us. Video #1 below 👇

Warning: This video will get you singing Imagine Dragons and craving to be on top of the world, too.

Hike 

In the very early days of lockdown, I heard about this new book, Hike by Pete Oswald. His book birthday was approaching (March 17) so, I sent him an email and asked if we could virtually celebrate together.  He graciously declined since he was very busy (remote teaching, deadlines, etc) but appreciated the support. So here we are nearly eight months later and I'm still celebrating and thinking about this gorgeous, wordless picture book.  It would be the perfect gift for anyone looking to embrace a walk in the woods, not necessarily the high peaks, with someone special.

Check out this interview with Pete: http://www.letstalkpicturebooks.com/2020/02/lets-talk-illustrators-130-pete-oswald.html

46 Leaps

Zack, John and I each have a scratch off map of the high peaks.  It was satisfying to take that penny and scratch off Cascade and Porter.  Here are the photos from my leap log.  Goal: 46 leaps on 46 peaks.  #46leaps46peaks

Cascade Mountain: Peak Leap 1 of 46

Porter Mountain: Peak Leap 2 of 46

Notice the sneakers and old backpack. Yes, I'm still a novice.  Any guesses on what's on my Chanukah list? 

See you on the other side of March.  We've decided that as much as the boys might think they could hike now, it's probably not too smart to make #3 a winter hike.  But if we get a bunch scratched off by this time next year. Maybe?

PS:

Do you follow Kate Messner on Twitter or Instagram? She posts so many beautiful Adirondack photos. She was also a recent guest on the new video show Steve Sheinkin and I host, Author Fan Face-Off, answering questions on Breakout, a book that is set in those awesome mountains.

Get Out the Vote

I have never been prouder of my mom.  Every day and when I say every day, I mean EVERY SINGLE DAY (what weekends?) she has been making calls all over the country for her party and candidates. And if you know my mom, she's not like me leaping all over the globe, and yet she feels so passionate about this election and her causes, that as much as talking to strangers every.single.day is out of her comfort zone, she is still doing it.

My daughter's 18th birthday is today. Boy is she glad to have made it to 18 in time. We recently got the text that her absentee ballot was mailed with two stamps on the envelope.#proudparents

The early voting lines have been crazy. Honestly though, when we waited last night I really didn't mind.  No civil unrest as people patiently waited over an hour to participate in their civil duty. I was the 2000th voter in our polling place.  Wouldn't it have been cool to be two people behind and get Tari's birth year?

I've been sprinkling some Election Day talk into my lessons with K/1.  One of my very favorite voting books is Vote for Me by Ben Clanton. A donkey and elephant are vying for your vote and it even gets a bit nasty. When I was in kindergarten I'm sure I couldn't tell you who was president. But these kids are in the know.  "We're voting for president and it's Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden," exclaimed one little girl.  "Vote for Joe Biden because he tells you to wear a mask," exclaimed another.  Ohhh-kay, I nodded and quickly moved the conversation back to being nonpartisan.

Today a first grader asked me who I voted for. "That's very private. You don't have to share that information with anyone." I said.  We read Vote for Our Future by Magaret McNamara and illustrated by Micah Player.  I had just enough time to hand out, fold and color these thank you cards.

But wait there's more: This summer the YA romcom, The Voting Booth, by Brandy Colbert was released.  I rushed listened to it in one day in preparation for a Crowdcast event she was in. Waiting in line to vote and hearing my mom's stories about how she asks people about their plans to vote, I can't help to think back to July when I read this book.  It's my kind of romance mixed up with advocacy.  Thinking about it now makes me realize I miss my YA character crushes.  Who you got for me, Alicia?

A blast into the past: Two years ago, the 4th grade Social Studies teacher and I worked for weeks on an Election Day/Voting  project.  We researched the Constitution, met elected officials, handed out postcards and made a short video encouraging our community to vote.  I found the video and still love it today:

Let your voice be heard. Vote on or before Tuesday.  Oh, and if you happen to get a call from a lovely woman asking you for your voting plan, please tell my mom I said hello and I love her. Thanks 😉

Global Read Aloud 2020: Swashby Edition

We've started to put our heat on.  They are predicting significant snow on Friday.  We "fall back" on Saturday night.  Covid numbers are rising.  I could really use a pick me up. And I got one.

Thank you Global Read Aloud 2020 and the uber amazing Pernille Ripp for showcasing my friend and talented, Caldecott Honor winning illustrator, Juana Martinez-Neal.  By doing so, this week I get to visit the sea twice a day by sharing Beth Ferry's Swashby and the Sea with the gorgeous illustrations by Juana. Ahhh...short of actually having the waves fiddle with my toes and hearing them crash, this is really the next best thing.

I love the story of Swashby, el recluso. As much as he wants to resist the energetic, fun, oatmeal cookie giving neighbor, with a little help from the sea, he just can't.  

Today, day one for this book, felt like the old days when I did a "Book of the Week" with the entire third grade.  One story. One crazy activity for 75 kids ( ie, author Skype, oreo moons, literally potato pants...) Except this time around, I planned it all on my own (well, not without running it by Mrs. Pryde to get the ok that it wasn't too wild an idea) and lead it on my own. I miss the collaboration but forgot about it for a second when I heard all the oohs and ahhhs. I was pleasantly surprised that it all worked. "This is really fun," exclaimed several kids. Yay! 

Rather than mimicking the sea altogether, we just "painted" kind words in the sand with glue and whole wheat flour.  Not too messy. Fortunately, with my second class we actually went outside so clean up was a breeze.  Ahhhh....all puns intended of course.

In a few weeks we hope to connect with friends in Manitoba as part of the GRA.  So far we have seen their names written out creatively, read about their favorite family foods and shared our "La Princesa and the Pea" mattresses piled high on a pea (lentil) through our joint padlet. We can't wait to meet them IRL, sort of.

I love the idea of the Global Read Aloud so much and even though this is its final year, I hope we can continue to connect with folks all over the world in our own ways next year and beyond.

Pre-quel

Just a few other photos from our projects with Fry Bread and La Princesa and the Pea.

Oscar's American Dream

Setting: Early 1900s, Bobrinets. 

My great great grandmother sent five of her nine children in the middle of the night to the US knowing full well, she would never see them again. She believed the gift of a better life for them was worth more than anything else.  

I cannot even imagine.  Sending my daughter to college in August was painful enough. I am barely surviving with frequent FaceTime calls and daily texts. Yet without my immigrant family working hard for their American dream, Croine's dream for them, we wouldn't all be here today. My admiration for her strength and forethought is overflowing.

Happy Book Birthday to Oscar's American Dream

By Barry Wittenstein and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell

Oscar's American Dream follows one storefront over a century of time. In 1899, Oscar sets foot o Ellis Island from Poland ready to make a dream come true.  I wonder, did his mother do the same thing my great great grandmother? He opens a barbershop on the corner of Front and Second and never looks back. Throughout the years, the story follows the property, not the family (with a twist and lemon drop at the end) as the barbershop becomes a clothing store, a soup kitchen, an army recruitment office, a bodega and more. Oh, what stories those walls could tell.

This book has a special place in my heart right at this moment. My mom just finished a wiki type website dedicated to our family history.  So cool! I love reading in print how I am connected to all of my cousins (who, yes, I know and love the dozens and dozens of my first, second, third cousins removed and all). Oscar's American Dream is a story of immigrants finding their way in a new land.  Like Oscar and the others, my family sought the American dream. They, too, worked hard in their own way as merchants, watchmakers, jewelers and more. (no barbers though).

This week we filmed Ruth Behar against an amazing challenger from Virginia on Ruth's book, Lucky Broken Girl for our Author Fan Face Off. It was great to see Ruth again (remember we have that PS 117/Briarwood, Queens connection).  Her latest book, Letters to Cuba, is another immigrant story, which could be paired well with Oscar's American Dream.

You will be inspired to pull out your history books, seek primary documents, explore maps, and dig out old family photos with this one.  Think about your own family, home or town. How it has changed over the years? How has it stayed the same?  What were your grandparents' or great grandparents' dreams? What are yours? Grab some lemon drops, read Oscar's American Dream and let it take you the next level, whatever that may be. And don't forget, "Immigrants. They get the job done." 🎵 My family, this book, and most likely your family, too, is proof.

Doughnuts and Bunheads

Today's post is dedicated to two amazing artists: Laurie Keller and Misty Copeland. Hmmm....competitive me wonders, could I have been the first one to put those two talented women in the same sentence? 🤞

Hello, Arnie!: An Arnie the Doughnut Story by Laurie Keller

It was almost like it was MY birthday last week when this mysterious package arrived.  It was Laurie's new book AND a current leaping doughnut of me! Current because I'm in braids. (so yeah, when I rode my bike to Windy Hill Orchards on Sunday to pick up some apple cider doughnuts I made sure to get out my hair tiess. A bunch of my former students work there and I don't think any of them recognized me behind my mask and braids.)

After greeting all his sweet friends, "Hi, Plain!", "Top of the morning, Jelly!" Arnie is confused because there is a new pastry in the bakery.  This would be a good time to note, that I have to give Laurie Keller all the credit for naming my morning book club, "Pastries and Prose."  What could be this new big pastry, who doesn't even know which try to sit on? Not to worry, though! Our dearly beloved, every-single-if-I-remember-correctly-36-sprinkled chocolate frosted doughnut to the rescue! 

I can't wait to share with my students this week! We're going to have fun with it! How long will it take them to figure out who this new delicacy is? Message me later with your guesses! The closest one wins a doughnut!

Meanwhile, I still love this reading of the original Arnie: 

Bunheads by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey

I never imagined I would miss driving to dance every day. But boy do I.  The time in the car to catch up, laugh, listen to music. Inevitably, with only a few minutes to spare would my daughter take out her bobby pins to start her bun. Why didn't she ever start it sooner? Sigh.  Maybe I don't miss that part?

The upside is I'm still a dance mom.  Yes! Our daughter is a dance major and happy! We look forward to post-Covid times when we can watch her perform again.  Missing her last recital was just as hard for me as it was for her.

But I digress. I'm excited for the book birthday of Bunheads today! It's already received two starred reviews. Woohoo! A beautiful, inspiring story of a young Misty auditioning for the ballet Coppelia.  I'm not usually a picture book audio book listener, but Misty Copeland is the narrator of this one and I was already hooked from the 30 second clip I heard.

Will you join me at Politics and Prose Friday night for this event with Misty? The tickets are free with an option to add on a book.  Of course, I got one.  Do you think my bunhead would like it for her 18th birthday?  Maybe if it came with ticket to Coppelia.

It's Tuesday Again!

No wonder I looked forward to Tuesdays so much during lockdown.  There was ALWAYS cake.  And off key-off sync singing. Smiling faces attached to faces I wished were in 3D.  And just before the end of every party there was me, the annoying mom screaming to my teenagers to come "pick a name RIGHT NOW" for the winners of my weekly raffles.  Never a fan of Tuesdays, but last spring's weekly parties definitely took the edge off my least favorite day.

Do I actually miss that time?  Dare I say maybe a tiny bit?  The parties are on hold for now. Instead it is cart racing to the elevator.  The music teacher. The art teacher. Me.  How many of us can fit in it at once? Reading aloud and giving directions behind a mask to small children spread all over the room = Challenging.  Hooking up my computer to a dozen different adaptors and SmartBoards. Hard. Shannon McClintock Miller's "BookHub" order forms. "Books you love. Delivered." Disappointing kids because they wanted a wolf book and got one about baby mammals. Who knew wolves were so popular? BUT Tuesdays are still Tuesdays and books will always have book birthdays. Today let's pull the party hats out for:

Ben Bee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt

When I read this book I couldn't wait for it to come out.  Today is the day! Happy Book Birthday! I love each and every one of the characters and think it will appeal to so many different kids. In another time, this would be my middle grade celebration of the day.

Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community from the Born This Way Foundation and Lady Gaga

I heard about this book at a new book webinar and stuck its birthday on my calendar.  It's a beautiful collection of inspiring stories from young people. Share one each day with middle or high schoolers and come up with ways to "channel" kindness in your community.  Yes, it's cliche but does that really matter? Check out the website.  I'm impressed with how up to date it is.

The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom by Colleen AF Venable and Lian Cho

Fun fact about me: I played oboe from 7th grade concert band through my senior year in the college orchestra. Mahler 1 is still one of my favorite pieces of all time.

I'm excited for this book!  It sounds (all puns intended) interactive and a great book to use for a music/library collaboration.  For grades K/1 this year, my music teacher and I each get 20 minutes of the special time.  Fortunately, there are a bunch of highly rated new music picture books and this one is no exception.  Bonus--it already comes with an Educator Guide.

Happy Belated to...

Millionaires for a Month by Stacy McAnulty and Three Keys by Kelly Yang

I attended a Crowdcast event from Bookmarks a few weeks ago with both of these amazing authors. Their books arrived yesterday and I cannot wait to read them! Steve and I had Stacy on our #AuthorFanFaceOff and we are looking forward to stumping Kelly in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday to all! 🎂

Cupcakes Under My Mask

I am going to be sneaking a lot of cupcakes under my mask today. It is a BIG book birthday day.  

In any other year, planning a party for the 4th day of school would not have phased me.  I don't want my new fixed schedule to dictate what I can and cannot do.  It just may take me a little while to figure out what I can do.

Until then, you and I can raise our glasses and savor the frosting for the following books (my cupcakes are in my lunch box):

I am One: A Book of Action by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds

I am totally just going to download this book today and share with everyone.  Two years ago Susan Verde was our gala visitor and our theme for the whole school year was "I am Me."  I can't wait to read this book. Period. Happy book birthday, Susan and Peter. (And Happy International Dot Day, too!)  Susan--I hope you will be celebrating your birthday mark with roasted cauliflower and broccoli!

PS: If you are remote or get home early, here's an event for you (personally, I will be teaching a second grade class at this time still)

 

TODAY at 2:30pm: Join @GirlScouts and author Susan Verde for a read-along of “I Am One: A Book of Action.” Sometimes taking action starts by simply raising your hand! 🙋‍♀‍ #kindergarten #GSatHome https://t.co/uv7etpBLyi pic.twitter.com/spNE0unQYz

— Girl Scouts of NE OH (@GSNEO) September 14, 2020

No Place for Monsters by Kory Merritt

I admit, I don't know much about this book except that it was blurbed by Jeff Kinney, Brian Selznick and Max Brailler.  It must have triggered interest during some Fall books webinar this summer as I put its birthday on my calendar.   It's a highly illustrated middle grade novel that I'm sure we will all find fans for quickly and easily.

Nothing in Common by Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken

This book was mentioned at at least two fall book previews.  I have loved Corinna's illustrations since her debut, The Book of Mistakes came out in 2017.  This one looks beautiful as well with a great message.  If I was having an in person book birthday party, I would print out these pages for the "goodie bags" and maybe eat doughnuts (any excuse for doughnuts). You know--doughnut binoculars of course!

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Three Keys by Kelly Yang

Is there anyone who didn't love Front Desk a couple of years ago? Kids and adults.  We all did.  The sequel comes out today! I can pretty much guarantee that it will be on my Newbery 21 list and I haven't even read it yet!  Check out this offer from Kelly:

I’m giving this video for FREE to all Title I school. If you’re not a Title I school, you can get this video for FREE with a minimum purchase of THREE KEYS through your local indie bookstore—email me at kellyyangauthor@gmail.com! #ThreeKeys #FrontDesk #OutTomorrow #ShopIndie pic.twitter.com/gnotKESQsX

— Kelly Yang (@kellyyanghk) September 14, 2020

The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found #4 by Karina Yan Glaser

It seems like just yesterday that we were reading Karina's debut Vanderbeeker novel and now there are four! Happiest of book birthdays to the newest addition to this fun loving family series.  Are you new to the Vanderbeeker world or just need a refresher? This one's for you:

 I'm sure there are many more birthdays today but my stomach can only handle five cupcakes and two doughnuts (with a side of a Samoa during the I am One event). Happiest of book birthdays to all! 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

Candles Galore!

Today is a premium book birthday day! AND my first day back in the building! May I request chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with a side of a whole bunch of candles?

Here's what I've been waiting to celebrate today. Some I've read. Some I haven't. All are worth adding to your TBR list and your next book order.

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

I read this back in June and I am still thinking about it and not just because I listen to football podcasts with my son. In my mind, Jacqueline Woodson's verse can do no wrong and this book is no exception. It's 1999-2000 and ZJs dad, a tight end for an unnamed football team (I think the Giants) is not his hero but his "every single thing."When his dad's head is just "not right anymore" ZJ's world as he knows it comes to an end. I really haven't read a book like this before. The topic is unique and so important. It's easily accessible and will spark many conversations among the young and not so young.  My husband always says that football will not look the same in our 14 year old Giants fan lifetime.  This book will  get us all talking while Earth, Wind and Fire's "September" plays in the background and Sugar Hill Gang is queued up next.

I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James

LOVE.  Period.

You'll fall in love with this book like I did.

Flamer by Mike Curato

I have been waiting for this book for months! I would check back on Netgalley and Edelweiss impatiently refreshing hoping the arc would be loaded up in the time I hit the curved arrow but alas it never happened. Today is my day!  I look forward to cozying up and escaping into this graphic young adult novel memoir asap. 

Millionaires for a Month by Stacy McAnulty

Even though Stacy lives in North Carolina now, I still consider her a local girl having grown up in a zip code only a few miles from Castleton.  She likes her numbers and writing about math.  I'm excited for this one and to attend this crowdcast event this evening.  Stacy has already agreed to be a part of our #AuthorFanFaceOff on her book, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. Yay!

Punching the Air by Ibi Zboi and Yusef Salaam

This book almost makes me want to teach high school.  The discussions we could have. The documentaries we could watch. The poems we could write. The artwork and artists we could analyze. The difference we could make.  Read. Share. Talk. Check out Salaam's website. Ken Burns's documentary.  Ava Duvernay's miniseries. (Check out my friend Alicia's blog post about the book here.) As an aside, it was definitely cool to read about Picasso's Guernica after just seeing it in person while I was in Madrid.

Plus a new one by David Wiesner (Robobaby) and one I'm excited to share with my music teacher, Wild Symphony by Dan Brown. 

So, yeah, worth getting the candles out for sure. I'll be having my cake (and cake and cake) and eating (and eating and eating) it, too.  It's a book birthday bonanza! 🎂

#AuthorFanFaceOff 1

A few weeks ago one of my favorite nonfiction writers and friend, Steve Sheinkin, reached out to me about a new video series idea he had.  I was intrigued...An author and a young fan battle it out on questions about a favorite book written by said author. A leap worthy concept and am thrilled to be part of the team!

Check out our pilot featuring fifth grader, Ace and author, Chris Grabenstein, as they go head to head answering questions about Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Go. Pause game. Play along. End game. How well will you do? 

We have many more episodes in the works. Stay tuned! And please, if you've got a pair to share, we're open to all suggestions!

A Two Brush Night

I can't tell you my favorite ice cream flavor (coffee chunk?) or pizza topping (garlic?) but I can most confidently tell you my favorite candy--The traditional Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (with Reese's with Reese's Pieces and Outrageous closing out the podium). The weeks leading up to Halloween I begin my campaign of peanut butter cups from my students.  November 1 one year it actually worked and a fourth grader handed me a ziploc bag of all her Reeses. Needless to say, she got an A in library JK. 

This commercial, though.  It doesn't just nail my love for the peanut butter beautifully snuggled in chocolate, but also for the times we are living in right now.  Flexibility is the "F" word of the year. You just brushed? So what? Who says you can't brush again?  No one. Be in charge of you.  Take it from someone who has had many two brush nights.

Our classrooms and libraries will not look the same.  Our teaching will be different. Carts will be the norm.  Instead of lunch bins we will have quarantine book bins.  Canvas, Flipgrid, SeeSaw, Screencastify, Nearpod, Google Classroom, Schoology, Bitmoji, Pear Deck, Wakelet...a sea of terms we had to become familiar with nearly overnight, or at least over a spring and summer. Always did something the same way year after year? It may not work in 2020. Time for the "F" word. Remember the Reese's and make it a two brush year. We all got this! I'll see you on the flip side with a batch of orange wrapped chocolate all ready to share. 

Letters from Cuba

Happiest of book birthdays today to Ruth Behar's Letters from Cuba.

My Fountains of Silence trip to Madrid was still on the forefront of my mind when I read this book back in early, pre-Covid March. I was all set to plan my next international trip. Little did I know how much the world would change in a matter of days.

And here we are 5 1/2 months later celebrating the book birthday of the story of Esther, a Polish immigrant in Cuba.  It's 1938 and Esther joins her Papa in Cuba, leaving behind her sister, Malka, three brothers, her mother and Bubbe.  Together Esther and Papa work hard to save money to bring them all to Cuba. This is their story as Esther's letters to Malka.

I loved this book.  Thought it was even better than Ruth's Pura Belpre winner Lucky Broken Girl, which says a ton coming from another Briarwood PS 117 girl. It teachers us so much about hope, perseverance, acceptance, diversity, coping with prejudice. Read it with Emma Otheguy and Beatriz Vidal's Marti's Song for Freedom, Margarita Engle and Mike Curato's All the Way to Havana and another new middle grade novel about immigrants and food, A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan. Yes, I love when food shows up prominently in my books and this one is no exception. To begin with you will be yearning for challah, sour cherry tea, latkes and bananas.

Need to take a trip without getting on a plane or even in a car? This book is perfect then. Find Letters from Cuba today, cozy up in your favorite reading spot and bon voyage.

For the WIN

I slept better last night but today my heart is racing. Is it because the reopening plans are due Friday and local ones are already going public? Is it the fact that every day in July is a day closer to August? It's time to remind myself of a couple of wins I had recently. These are what keep me going...

WIN 1

Late last week a former student emailed me. This rising freshman was going on vacation and wanted some book recommendations and thought I would be the perfect person to ask. I was honored and flattered.  She just finished Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby ("classics of course so I had to read them"). It shouldn't surprise anyone that Darcy was one of my first crushes. Oh, and Ponyboy. And (I hate to admit this), Holden. And from there the list goes on and on and on...But I digress.

She could "literally read any genre."  I don't read that much YA, but quickly scoured a few of my recent book journals (you know I am not a Goodreads gal) and came up with this list. Please don't judge my continuous use of the word "good" and simplified five word reviews.  I was 14 again in this email and back to my Darcy loving days.

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Septys (Historical fiction that takes place in Madrid. So good!)

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas (Have you read this one yet?  If not, it's very relevant and then you can watch the movie)

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert (Takes place on Election Day--a little romance)

Dry by Neal Schusterman (fantasy/science fiction that feels very much like realistic fiction.)

Anything by Julie Murphy= fun!

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan (fun! realistic fiction)

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (I have not read this one but anyone who does loves it so much.  Fantasy.)

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee (historical fiction.  Haven't read it but it got great reviews and my friends all loved it)

Stamped by Jason Reynolds (History of racism in our country. So good and so important.  Nonfiction) Actually, anything by Jason Reynolds is so great.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (so good! It's verse from two points of view of two girls whose father was in an airplane crash) She has also written The Poet X which is really good.

If you like thrillers, I love Allegedly by Tiffany D Jackson (If you do read this you must talk to me afterward)

Another great thriller is Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus (I think this is a series)

I wanted to make this list all on my own lol (i.e. no help from my HS library/Youth Services friends) to see if I could do it. I probably missed many but, as you already can guess, it ended up being a win after all. 

"I went through and looked up all the books and reviewed them all," she wrote.  

She chose these three to start:

"The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas - It seems very informational and reviews said it was very good.

Hot Dog Girl - I like the teen romance in it and reviews said it was very fresh and funny. Seems like a good read.

Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson - Looks very fun and mysterious. I love the crime solving aspect. I’ll definitely get back to you on this one when I finish reading!"

Kudos to her! I feel like she picked a well rounded trifecta! And I didn't even tell her that I'm convinced that the setting of Hot Dog Girl is an old, local amusement park here (Hoffman's Playland). Plus, I can't wait for her to get back to me about Allegedly. If you already read it, you know what I mean!

WIN 2

The summer school teacher emailed me for recommendations for a read aloud. Our special ed teacher recommended she reach out to me and see if I had any Newbery 2021 books that would give the rising fifth graders a leg up.  The first line of my email was: 

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly. So, so good! It takes place in January 1986.  Three siblings in 7th grade and dysfunctional parents.  The Challenger is about to be launched. Just so good.

And that's the one she chose. Solid choice.

Tuesday, her TA, one of our 4th grade teachers, sent me this text:

The next thing he typed, "I’m going to “assign” it to all 4th grade parents this year to read before Thanksgiving." He likes it that much, huh?  I patted myself on the back.  Another win.

And the OT: WIN 3

Finally, earlier today a friend and colleague and I were out walking.  We passed a large front yard with the house set pretty far from the road.  On the porch, exponentially socially distant away, was a rising 6th grader who shouted our names with her arm waving through the wind. She got our attention for sure and we smiled. We agreed that she is a great kid and both had a little boost in our steps as we continued the miles. She made us so happy.

What wins have you had recently?  Jot them down. Commit them to memory. They could come in handy later this year...When you're feeling down or defeated, check back into your WIN folder for a little pick me up (with maybe a side of ice cream--something I could use right about now...)

Writing again?

I've held on to this graphic from the New York Times since July 12. 

It's not that I haven't wanted to write.  It's not like I didn't have many stories, ideas, reviews rolling around in my head.  I've been reading a lot. You may or may not know it.  The audio of Clap When You Land was so good.  I agree with my friend Alicia that the pub date for Punching the Air should be moved up. I finally read my first Ellen Hopkins, her middle grade, Closer to Nowhere. Jacqueline Woodson's unique Before Ever After has my family quizzing me on the offensive line and all of us talking about the future of football. I fell fast and hard for Cal and Leon from The Gravity of Us. I could go on and on. And, since this is a summer unlike any other, adult books have been on my bedside table. I finished one last week and almost immediately began a second.

Last week, Sera, a fourth grade teacher friend from a neighboring district wrote this and it went viral.  She really nailed feelings that so many of us could relate to.  This morning after seeing the sunrise yet again, I decided to show up.  Maybe by doing so, the lion will sleep tonight.

Good Morning?

I didn’t sleep well. Again.

I wake up and can literally feel the sweat drip out of the pores on my legs. My mind races.  My heart pounds. Surprisingly, I get enough REM time to dream.  Last night, my daughter handed me the keys to the car but I didn’t know how to drive. And, for the second time in the past week, Obama appeared.  The first time he was sitting cross legged and relaxed.  I casually introduced him to someone as “Barack.”  Not sure what he was doing in the wee hours of this morning.  Working hard to turn this nightmare we’re living into science fiction?

My friends and colleagues aren’t sleeping either. One takes Tylenol PM every night.  One swears by a special tea and bedtime ritual.  I tried the tea.  It worked one night. Maybe? Others commiserate.  Is anyone truly sleeping soundly?  The upside of all this?  The Great Believers is over 600 pages long. 

The fear of the unknown is taking over. What will my job as a school librarian look like? College is open for my incoming freshman. How will she make friends while smiling behind a mask? My High Schooler was disciplined during 14 weeks of spring virtual learning. Will he be as successful in another year of different learning? The only known factor in all of this is that we don’t know.

It’s almost August.  Pre-Covid, my daughter would be working all summer at sleep away camp.  She’d only be home for a few days before leaving for college to say goodbye to HS friends and to tirelessly shop for a comforter, towels, and mini-fridge. Since she is here, shouldn’t her room be overflowing with dorm supplies that we’ve had so much time to buy?  It’s not.  Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond have not taken a dime from me yet. I wonder how well she is sleeping.

Tonight I will brew some chamomile, do some deep breathing, read until the words get blurry and wish for the best. And Barack? If I see you again, may I request a soothing lullaby and your old promise of hope? Thanks in advance.

Are You Getting Enough?

  

Bagels and challah that Zack baked during quarantine.

He perfected his challah recipe so much so that I requested it for my birthday.  

Two truths and a lie:

I have a MA in Health Education.

I was an English major in college.

I almost became a professional waitress.

Truth:  I was a Psychology major, not English major.

Truth: If I didn't get into graduate school to become a health educator, I was going to go to Naples, FL to become a professional waitress.

So why bring this up?

When I was in graduate school for the Health Ed degree, I went to a conference and got a shirt that said, "Are You Getting Enough?"  I know. I know.  This is a family blog.  But seriously, it had a picture of a loaf of bread on it and was referring to just that. Bread.  I never quite got it myself.  Why do we need to make sure we are getting enough bread? Sure, I wish I got more bread but then I would have to walk two marathons a week and that's just not happening.

And what does this have to do with anything? Well, here we are five days into summer break and I haven't been sleeping well.  I keep thinking, "Did I do enough?" "What could I have done better?"  "Did I reach enough kids?"  "Did my kids get enough instruction from me?" 

Sigh. 

I'll say this.  I tried my best. Did my students get enough? I hope so. I think so?

It's like me and the bread.  They got enough but maybe I could have given them more? Did they want more? One thing is true, though, I can confidently say, I didn't just give them a slice of Wonder Bread.  They got Whole Grain, Brioche, Raisin Challah, Sourdough, Fry Bread, Everything Bagel, Tortilla, Peasant, Irish Soda Bread, Matzah, Naan...you name it.  And I pride myself on that.

If you weren't craving carbohydrates before, I'm sorry that you are now.  And just in case, you are having having trouble sleeping, I want to thank YOU for all you did.  Whoever you are and whatever you did, I know you did more than enough.  I just have to remind myself that I did, too.  Give permission to pat myself on the back every once in a while. Pat of butter, did I say? Hahaha.  Enough said!

Today is Saturday

The first day of summer was a beautiful, peaceful and socially distant day with my two friends and colleagues on Sacandaga Lake. It was fitting that it was Governor Cuomo's or, as we lovingly called him, "Andy", last daily press conference.  We actually tried to get service by the lake so we could all watch/listen together in person but alas (and, I'm not complaining), the wifi was spotty. Maybe it was better I watched late last night alone. Three tissues, one final laugh later, and it was over.

There he was alone. Not flanked by the team lead by the ever intelligent and poised Melissa or Dr. Zucker (the first time he wasn't on the dais, I worried for his health) or Rob or the bold reporters. If I ever run into Jesse locally will I have the guts to say hello?

I never planned a Google meet between 11:30-12:30. The days he was late threw us all off. The reminder text of "Andy" would pop up from my mom or from one of the three friends I watched with. I learned quickly that of our three local affiliates, only the local ABC would keep it going until most or all of the questions were answered.  We would wait patiently day after day to hear about when we would return to school. We were not fond of his two week at a time plan. However, it always kept me optimistic.

Dear Andy, you made us all laugh and cry and cry and laugh, day after day.  Three times you told us about the couple from Queens who came to Albany for Thai food.  We are still all dying to know what restaurant it was. The second time you told it you said, "I was telling someone about this couple..." I yelled at the TV, "Us! You told US!" You recycled your jokes like a good dad and it comforted us. We craved pasta because of you. I promoted and voted for my favorite mask video (It didn't win but they were all amazing). I loved your smirk when you quoted AJ Parkinson.  I'm a Queens girl. I know who he is.

We couldn't imagine a flattened curve or even you not being on every. single. day.  And yet, here we are.

These last couple of weeks, after we bent the curve, I admit I didn't run to turn you on as automatically as I did before when the alert would pop up on my phone.  But I knew you were there and would if I could. 

Thank you for the consistent comfort the past 14 weeks. Your press conferences will go in the history books and years from now I will tell my grandchildren all about them and how proud I was and always will be to be NY Tough, Smart, Disciplined and most of all, LOVING.

Yes, today is Saturday. I miss you already.

Drop the Mic

We all ate the same doughnuts.  Well, except for the pop tart eater ;-)

No honking buses.

No goodbye tears or hundreds of hugs.

No yearbooks to sign or check out lists to complete.

And yet we still went and 

Droped. the. mic.

It clearly hasn't hit me.

I'm still up late blogging.

But tomorrow I won't feel like I have to.

Or will I?

Early this morning I delivered little baggies of doughnuts to my dedicated "Pastries and Prose" fourth graders. I wanted us all to have "pastries" for our last meeting. This "before" school club never missed a single meeting because of quarantine.  We read picture books, short stories (Guys Read), and the whole Sluggers 1 by Loren Long and Phil Binder.  I left them today with I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld and Be You by Peter H. Reynolds.  I love that Be You.  I just bought a copy for my daughter for her graduation and two more copies.

It was fun driving around as the sun was rising. Some parts of our district are quite rural.  After 21 years of living here, you'd think it would feel familiar and yet I felt lost. You can take the girl out of Queens but never the Queens out of the girl. Andrew knows what I'm talking about. 

Speaking of Andrew, tomorrow will be his last daily briefing.  Teachers are not the only ones dropping the mic, I guess.  What will come of the summer? The fall?  I signed up to be a part of the reopening Task Force to try to be on the forefront of this reimagined future.

So this is it.

69 blog posts.

Over 50 books and other treats given away at book birthdays and other events.

A marathon of miles logged every week.

Dozens of unforgettable kid connections.

A serious reflection is deserved.

Maybe next week when I have the energy to pick the mic back up.

Until we leap again...

What's up with the mailbox?  When I opened it up to put in the doughnuts I found a card with my name on it stuck to the inside.  I lost it. But I still had more treats to deliver. So I pulled myself together, turned the car around and there he was, the kid that regularly, week after week, log into meet after meet, day after day.

Yep, I'll miss him...

See you in fifth grade, my friend. Sniffle. Sniffle.