Blog

A Spring-Vibe Booklist

By on March 21, 2025   /   Articles, Book Lists  

Yesterday was the first day of Spring here in the US, and goodness am I ready for some renewal, rebirth, and growth.

In the spirit of all things new and hopeful, I thought I’d round up a list of books with a Spring-vibe for you all.

Nature: Let’s get outside.

 

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker 

Ware can’t wait to spend summer “off in his own world”—dreaming of knights in the Middle Ages and generally being left alone. But then his parents sign him up for dreaded Rec camp, where he must endure Meaningful Social Interaction and whatever activities so-called “normal” kids do.

On his first day Ware meets Jolene, a tough, secretive girl planting a garden in the rubble of an abandoned church next to the camp. Soon he starts skipping Rec, creating a castle-like space of his own in the church lot.

Jolene scoffs, calling him a dreamer—he doesn’t live in the “real world” like she does. As different as Ware and Jolene are, though, they have one thing in common: for them, the lot is a refuge.

But when their sanctuary is threatened, Ware looks to the knights’ Code of Chivalry: Thou shalt do battle against unfairness wherever faced with it. Thou shalt be always the champion of the Right and Good—and vows to save the lot.

But what does a hero look like in real life? And what can two misfit kids do?

One Small Hop by Madelyn Rosenberg

Perfect for fans of Carl Hiaasen’s classic Hoot, this humorous adventure story set in a not-so-distant future celebrates the important differences we can make with small, brave acts.

When Ahab and his friends find a bullfrog in their town — a real, live bullfrog, possibly the last bullfrog in North America — they have several options: A. Report it to the Environmental Police Force. Too bad everyone knows the agency is a joke.B. Leave it be. They’re just a bunch of kids — what if they hurt it by moving it?C. Find another real, live bullfrog on the black market. Convince their parents to let them bike to Canada. Introduce the two frogs. Save all of frogkind.Ahab convinces the rest of the group that C is their only real option. Because if they don’t save this frog, who will? Their quest, which will involve fake ice cream, real frog spawn, and some very close calls, teaches Ahab that hope is always the logical choice and that science is always better with friends.With humor and empathy, acclaimed author Madelyn Rosenberg builds an all-too-imaginable future ravaged by climate change, where one kid can still lean on his friends and dream up a better tomorrow.

 

 

Romance: Let’s fall in love – or at least like.

 

Redwood and Ponytail by K. A. Holt 

Kate and Tam meet, and both of their worlds tip sideways. At first, Tam figures Kate is your stereotypical cheerleader; Kate sees Tam as another tall jock. But the more they run into each other, the more they surprise each other. Beneath Kate’s sleek ponytail and perfect facade, Tam sees a goofy, sensitive, lonely girl. And Tam’s so much more than a volleyball player, Kate realizes: She’s everything Kate wishes she could be. It’s complicated. Except it’s not. When Kate and Tam meet, they fall in like. It’s as simple as that. But not everybody sees it that way.

From the author of House Arrest and Knockout, this unforgettable novel in verse shares the story of two girls discovering their feelings for each other–a story that will appeal to anyone who’s ever been unsure about the self they’re becoming. Sometimes you know who you’re meant to be with before you know who you’re meant to be.

 

 

 

 

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter: A Wish Novel by Debbi Michiko Florence

Fans of Wendy Mass and Lisa Greenwald are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sweet story about first crushes, friendship drama, and finding the courage to stand up for yourself.

Seventh grade is supposed to be a game changer. And Keiko thinks she’s got it covered, especially with Audrey and Jenna by her side to shop for a new look, pick out a prime lunch spot, and even hit up that cute new bubble tea place after school. Her trio is ready to tackle life as they always have… together.But when Audrey decides they need boyfriends before Fall Ball, it looks like things may be changing in all the wrong ways. Jenna is sick of caving in to Audrey’s demands, and soon Keiko’s besties are barely talking, leaving her caught in the middle. While she’s been dreaming about triple-dates, first kisses, and a boy she really shouldn’t have a crush on, the friendship she’s always thought was rock-solid is beginning to crumble.Keiko feels pulled in two directions. Should she try to help her friends — even if it means losing one of them — or follow her heart? When it comes to flirting, friendships, and fallouts, how is Keiko supposed to keep it all together?

 

 

 

Hope: Let’s make it all a little bit better.

 

The Chance to Fly (the Chance to Fly #1)

Perfect for fans of Wicked and anyone who has ever dared to dream big, The Chance to Fly is a testament to the magic of believing in yourself and the importance of representation in the arts.

The Chance to Fly by Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is an inspiring middle grade novel about Nat Beacon, a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair. Nat’s passion for musicals knows no bounds, and she dreams of performing on stage despite never having seen an actor with a disability in a leading role.

When Nat’s family moves from California to New Jersey, she discovers auditions for a kids’ production of her all-time favorite musical, Wicked.

Thrilled by the opportunity, Nat lands a spot in the ensemble. As she navigates new friendships and the challenges of rehearsals, Nat draws strength from the empowering themes of Wicked, particularly the song “Defying Gravity.”

But as opening night approaches, unexpected obstacles arise. Nat must confront her fears and insecurities, channeling the spirit of Elphaba to truly “defy gravity” both on and off the stage.

This heartfelt story celebrates resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of theater.

 

 

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore 

It’s Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren’t celebrating. They’re still reeling from his older brother’s death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly’s mother’s girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly’s always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.

His path isn’t clear—and the pressure to join a “crew,” as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape—and an unexpected bridge back to the world.

 

 

 

 

I hope you find something to enjoy and maybe inspire you in this Spring-vibe book list. If you did, or if you have a Spring read I might like, please share in the comments below.

 

 

Back to Top

Creating Community with Diverse Story Collections

By on March 19, 2025   /   Articles, Book Lists  

Spring is right around the corner, and along with it comes the blooming of flowers. What better time to highlight anthologies! The Greek word anthology is made up of anthos, which means flowers and logia, which means collections. I invite you to check out these five, recently published short story collections written by rock star authors. While each of these titles focuses on different subjects, voices, identities or ethnic groups, they all embrace themes of community building.  Each stellar story stands on its own but blossoms in the collective storytelling.

 

Black Girl Power: 15 stories celebrating black girlhood. Edited by Leah Johnson. Hyperion, 2024.

Contributing author Kwame Mbalia states, “power is the ability to control a narrative,” and this anthology does just that. These transformational narratives uplift Black girls, and help them build confidence and dream big. Young readers will find much to love in these stories which include, a horror story, poems, fantasies as well as realistic stories. The universal themes such as family expectations, grief, and friendship have wide appeal, as do the strong characterizations.

 

Calling the Moon:16 period stories from BIPOC authors. Edited by Aida Salazar and Yamile Saied Mendez. Candlewick, 2024.

Period power is explored in this group of poems and stories featuring Black, Indigenous, and people of color with different cultural and faith-based beliefs and attitudes towards menstruating. These pieces celebrate how those “who menstruate are in sync with the natural rhythms of humanity and with the luminescent orb floating through space on a monthly cycle,” – Aida Salazar.

 

 

The Door is Open: stories of celebration and community by 11 Desi voices. Edited by Hana Kahn, Little Brown and Co., 2024.

Welcome to the Maple Grove Community Center in New Jersey. Through interconnected stories featuring the diverse world of South Asian Americans, you will find out how a group of kids gathers together to pursue a variety of activities in this space, and also to save it. Light-hearted stories of crushes and friendships are included alongside more serious topics of racism and identity.

 

 

 

A Little Bit of Super: with small powers come big problems. Edited by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt. Clarion, 2024.

We often think of super powers as being big and flashy – like flying faster than a speeding bullet or being stronger than Hercules. These humorous stories, comics and poems show how kids can use small powers to positively affect their worlds. The variety of powers – shape shifting, ascertaining the ripeness of an avocado, and hearing the thoughts of animals are fun and fascinating. The book champions the idea that each of us possesses a little something special that makes us super.

 

 

 

On The Block: stories of home. Edited by Ellen Oh. Crown, 2024.

Reading these stories is like peeking through the windows of the Entrada apartment building and learning about the interconnected lives of the immigrant families inside. You will observe ghosts, first crushes, bigotry and more. The anthology includes families from Cuba, India, Nigeria and other countries, sharing their stories and food, and depicts a place where new immigrants find friendship, support and safety.

 

 

 

Back to Top

STEM Tuesday– Periodic Table — Writing Tips & Resources

By on March 18, 2025   /   Periodic Table, STEM Tuesday  

The Periodic Table of Elements is a creative project waiting to happen. I’ve included examples of art and music today. Doing creative projects using the table is both an intellectual challenge and a reward, but good learning comes only after real work anyway. Using the arts makes it fun as well, allows for upper level thinking processes and making connections.

ART

Julie Hu created a visual version of the Periodic Table when she was a student at Bowdoin College. Created in Photoshop with a Wacom stylus pen and Cintiq large-format tablet, each element in Hu’s “Periodic Graphics of Elements” has a unique design and color palette that communicates something of the element’s use or history. Hu was first inspired to make a new periodic table when she was sixteen and just becoming interested in graphic design. (She said she knew she wanted to be an artist when she was eight years old.) She turned her design skills to topics that fascinated her in chemistry, astronomy, and physics*.

* https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2019/02/a-first-years-extraordinary-periodic-table.html

Doing art for the table offers so many possibilities for both kids of all ages and adults. Science fair projects, group projects (such as murals or journals), themed exhibits, research projects, computer graphics, collaboration, and more. Both art classes and science classes have a smorgasbord of ways for connected learning.

The website Teachers Pay Teachers offers many teacher-written activities including a collaborative poster project.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Periodic-Table-of-Elements-Collaborative-Poster-Science-Collaboration-Poster-3067692

MUSIC

For years I have been aware of Tom Lehrer’s song The Elements (Which uses a Gilbert & Sullivan tune). Tom, whose cutting social commentary left him on the outskirts of fame, was a mathematics professor at MIT and other places. He has been described as a satirical genius. He is noteworthy in that he assigned his body of songwriting to the public domain, meaning they can be used by anyone without payment.

You can hear the song here. He includes an older version of elements at the end, so it incorporates science history as well. And his sense of humor radiates through every note.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcS3NOQnsQM

Again we have possibilities for projects.  Students can try a hand at songwriting – or finding a tune suitable to use. It seems ready-made for a class play or musical. With summer coming up, art and music camps can find inspiration in the cleverness of both the tune and the rhythm of the table.

The Youtube channel ASAP Science has a version of the Periodic Table Song as well, along with an animation. The tune borrows from Jacque Offenbach and is catchy. I can envision 3rd and 4th graders singing this and acing high school science tests by singing to themselves.  There is the addition of simple animation, suitable to inspire students working on computer animation or graphic design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz4Dd1I_fX0

AsapSCIENCE is a science education YouTube channel that uses humor, whiteboard doodle animation and songs to simplify complex STEM concepts. It is a colorful intersection of art, science, and pop culture where anyone can learn, participate, and grow.(from the website)

I see both versions of the The Elements song as a challenging memory exercise for folks of all ages who are concerned with keeping brain function sharp. Music teachers I have known recommend practice in small increments as a most effective learning strategy. Five minutes at a time, three or four times a day. A project for kids on a long trip or adults as a whimsical party trick or just to keep the little gray cells in shape.

There are many articles available that make the case for using art to study science. ASCD says, “It turns out that one of the best predictors of success in scientific subjects in grades K–16 is visual imaging ability.” https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/the-art-and-craft-of-science  Take advantage of a buffet of ideas to provide a fun and meaningful science education.

Margo Lemieux is a retired professor of art who took advantage of all the interesting aspects of the world to inspire art projects.

Back to Top