From The Mixed Up Files

  This month’s theme is nuclear/atomic energy. In searching for ways to bring the arts into STE(A)M, I found books for older readers that focus on the “politics” of energy and offer opportunities for activities. Certainly that is relevant in today’s world where what we know as good science is being questioned. It’s not new. Galileo went to prison because he said the earth rotates around the sun. Scientists make discoveries and then those discoveries go out into the world in various ways. Politics, religion, culture, and economics can influence their uses and interpretations. Each...

***Exciting update!**** Everyone here at MUF is freaking out over news of the new film adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, slated for release in theaters on April 28, 2023. See you then, wearing shoes. AND NO SOCKS! Watch the Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret trailer here: Read Melissa’s full feature below on her love of Judy Blume: ********** Anyone who’s crossed my path knows how I feel about Louise Fitzhugh’s 1964 classic, Harriet the Spy. If not, I’ll tell you this: I’ve read the book at least 300 times, collect vintage editions, and have...

It’s that magical time of the year when eggnog is flowing, chestnuts are roasting, families are gathering, and that darn elf comes out of the box and onto your shelf—Good luck with those shenanigans.   It’s also the time of the year when we wrack our brain in search of...

  This month’s theme is nuclear/atomic energy. In searching for ways to bring the arts into STE(A)M, I found books for older readers that focus on the “politics” of energy and offer opportunities for activities. Certainly that is relevant in today’s world where what we know as good science is...

I had the good fortune to interview James Ponti, author of the CITY SPIES series, this week. James’s fourth book in the series, CITY SPIES:  CITY OF THE DEAD comes out February 7. I’m ashamed to admit that I am a little late to the CITY SPIES game, but I...

    Nuclear science is the study of the atomic world. Atoms are the building blocks of all matter, and everything around us, including our bodies, is made of atoms. Students can explore the ways nuclear science impacts our world in these books: Who Split The Atom? by Anna Claybourne ...

From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors welcomes Christina Collins, author of THE TOWN WITH NO MIRRORS (Sourcebooks, Feb 2023). Collins is New England born but currently lives in Northern Ireland. Her debut middle-grade novel, After Zero, was an NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, and she holds...

I hope everyone’s year is off to good start!  Depending on your climate and interests, hopefully you are getting just the right amount of snow, rain, sun, or beach days. No matter the conditions, winter is a good time for bringing newness—new year, new plans, new lessons, new pages. I’m...