I’m a librarian who has been an outspoken supporter of diverse literature, highlighting Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, LatinX, Jewish, and many other marginalized cultures. As I’ve written in various articles, I see literature as a key component in creating empathy among… Read More ›
This October my fall/Halloween themed reading challenge is Fall Under a Reading Spell. Each month I create a reading challenge for our teens that promotes the joy of reading. This reading challenge could be used to any grade level of… Read More ›
Keeping track of what books I talked about to which classes all throughout the semester or year can be a big task. How many times has a student come back to ask, “what was that book you told me about… Read More ›
See and Be Seen Teenagers don’t always notice what’s right in front of them. In my high school library few students take the time to look through the shelves when they need a book. I’m always happy to guide individuals… Read More ›
This summer I decided on a new reading plan. Sequels only. During the school year I can’t read sequels for the simple reason that I can’t book-talk them. I focus my reading on award books, stand alone novels, or first… Read More ›
My favorite option for keeping high school students occupied after end-of-year exams is independent reading. A close second, though, is helping them discover the joy of research. Last year was the first time I collaborated with an AP United States… Read More ›
Verse poetry novels cover a wide variety of topics, are a unique reading format, and can be engaging for more reluctant readers. Over the past few years there has been a rise in the amount of really great verse poetry… Read More ›
“Which book is longer?” asked an 11th grader after hearing my book talks for the two competitors of the day. It’s March Book Madness time in my high school library: my favorite activity of the year. Each day, I walk… Read More ›
Getting books into the hands of students is the goal for any school library, no matter the age of the learners. I am always looking for new ideas on how to draw students’ attention into the school library, and how… Read More ›
Star Gazing One recent night when the temperature in New York hovered around 15 degrees, my dog needed to go outside. I had been sitting on the couch reading (ironically!) A Year in Jamaica, Diana Lewes’s memoir from 1889. While… Read More ›