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Seasonal MG Reads

By Hallie Christensen on December 6, 2024 / Book Lists

The holidays are here!

One of the best things to do when it’s chilly outside is to curl up under a warm blanket with some hot cocoa and read a book! Here are some fun seasonal MG reads for all readers, whether they enjoy action, adventure, fantasy, love, mystery, or cozy!

Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy

When Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at the holiday pageant tryouts for their local senior’s center, they think they must be seeing double. While they both knew they were adopted, they had no idea they had a biological sibling, let alone an identical twin! The similarities are only skin deep, though, because while Aviva has a big personality and even bigger Broadway plans, Holly is more the quiet dreamer type who longs to become a famous author like her grandfather.

One thing the girls do have in common is their curiosity about how the other celebrates the holidays. What better way to discover the magic of the holidays than to experience them firsthand? The girls secretly trade lives, planning to stage a dramatic reveal to their families. Two virtual strangers swapping homes, holidays, and age-old traditions–what could possibly go wrong? Find out in this sweet as a sugarplum and satisfying as a latke middle grade novel!

The Daggers of Ire by J.C. Cervantes

Esmerelda Santos is a rare bruja, born with Chaos magic in her veins. She and her family are direct descendants of one of the four original witches—a mysterious legend about the night magic was born in San Bosco. But since the death of her mother, Esme is more concerned about healing their father’s spiraling grief.

When Esme finds a heart spell in a forbidden grimorio, she thinks it could be the answer to making her dad whole again. But before she can try, she and her best friend, Tiago, discover that their families and all the town’s witches have vanished—along with their magic, which keeps San Bosco alive. The only way to save them and the town is to find an original witch—impossible, since no one has actually ever seen one.

With a witch hunter on their tail, Esme and Tiago journey to a banished realm where forbidden magic runs wild. Here the two must embrace their powers and confront the legend’s terrible truths . . . or risk losing their families and their magic forever.

Spellbound Solstice by Alexandria Rogers

Every winter solstice, when people lock eyes in the Ambrose Ensorcelled Cottage, they fall in love.

This year, Alice Ambrose has secretly invited her dad in hopes that her parents will realize they’re happier together than apart. With her parents together, Alice will finally feel whole. But when Alice’s parents lock eyes…nothing happens.

Turns out, the women in her family are cursed to never fall in love.

Ronan Knight will do anything to get his enchantress mom to settle on a forever home. Luckily, he’s found her a perfect job at a perfect place: the Ensorcelled Cottage. The only snag? His mom would rather run from their mysterious past than settle down.

When Ronan learns about Alice’s family curse, he figures he can kill two birds with one broken curse, since helping Alice will surely earn his mom points with the owner of Ensorcelled Cottage. But when their meddling causes the town to lose the ability to love all together, and ghosts whisper of the very past haunting Ronan’s family, Alice and Ronan discover that happily ever after doesn’t look the same for everyone. And sometimes, to get what you want, you’ll have to give your heart away.

Northwind by Gary Paulsen

When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, thrown from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer Leif comes to his truest self as he connects to the heartbeat of the ocean, the pulse of the sea.

Voyage of the Frostheart by Jamie Littler

In a snow-covered land where monsters rule the icy tundra, only song weavers hold the power to control these vicious giants. But for centuries song weavers have been the subject of suspicion–how can those who hold so much power be trusted?

Ever since his parents were lost on a pathfinding expedition, Ash has spent his life as an outcast. As a budding song weaver, his village marked him as a potential threat, even though all he wants to do is protect them. Eager to find his place in the world, he and his cantankerous yeti caretaker seek passage on the Frostheart: a ship-like sleigh whose mission is to explore faraway lands.

There he meets a fast-talking, spunky navigator, a walrus captain with a peg leg who runs a tight sleigh, and a mysterious traveler who encourages him to hone his song. But can Ash’s song weaving save the Frostheart from the monsters hiding under the ice? Or will his untamed powers put his newfound friends in jeopardy?

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson, illustrated by Chloe Bristol

Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms―most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family.

But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to car for, and even Winterhouse itself?

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, illustrated by Erin McGuire

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it’s up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” Breadcrumbs is a fairy tale of modern-day America, an ode to the power of fantasy, and a heartbreaking meditation on how growing up is as much a choice as it is something that happens to us.

Writing Prompts: How to Make Yours Shine

By Ann Angel on December 4, 2024 / Articles, For Writers

Writing prompts, whether in a classroom or workshop setting, can be hit or miss–especially if the prompt is too general. If you ask students to choose an object in the classroom, for instance, half of them might focus on the ancient clock on the wall and how slowly the second hand moves from numeral to numeral. Or, if you ask students to write about a specific event in their lives, they might fall back on vague and/or generic descriptions that lack the tension required in strong writing. (The “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” and “I Remember…” prompts fall squarely into this category.)

Don’t get me wrong: Tried-and-true writing prompts are good in a pinch. But there are some excellent craft books available to help teachers, workshop leaders, parents and caregivers to infuse excitement and originality into their everyday prompts.

Help Is On the Way

One of my favorite writing-craft gurus is Ralph Fletcher, an educator who’s been helping other educators since the early 2000s. His first craft book, co-authored with JoAnn Portalupi, Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide, is a great guide for teachers, students, and workshop leaders. In this book, Fletcher breaks up ideas into days and weeks to help with lesson plans. His most recent book (pictured above), A Writers Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You, helps writers to see their world and, perhaps most importantly, how to react to what they see.

Advice from Ralph Fletcher

1. Make sure each writer has a writer’s notebook.
2. Provide adequate writing time of at least five minutes and up to 15 or 20 minutes, if everyone’s fully engaged. Ideas don’t just fly across space to land in a writer’s brain (well, at least not all the time).
3. Share a piece of your own writing before everyone starts writing. And write with them.
4. It’s okay to let workshoppers draw rather than write as all forms of creative expression are encouraged.
5. Help your group to find ideas by asking questions and sharing prompts.

Some great first workshop examples include:
–What do you know a lot about?
–Do you play sports, or enjoy an activity such as dance or chess?
–Who’s a special relative you spend lots of time with?
–Do you collect stuff?

Fletcher, a big believer in tying writing prompts to reading, provides some great ideas for read-alouds connected to writing:

—The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. Write about a time you had relatives come to your house. What were you celebrating?

— Marianthe’s Story: Painted Words Spoken Memories by Aliki. What is a color-filled memory you have?

— If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christianson. Write about a found object and the things you might do with it.

— My Map Book by Sara Fanelli. Create a map of an object or place. Explain in writing how the object works or what makes this place special.

When time is up, ask participants to share their work, even if they’re not finished, and encourage them to come back to these pieces later. You never know what a bit of time and distance can reveal.

And finally…

If all else fails, you could probably encourage writers to write about all the places chewing gum gets stuck. But I need to add one more thought on my favorite writing prompt from Ralph’s toolbox. Have students write or draw what makes a safe place. The result of this prompt is both surprising and revelatory… in equal measure.

STEM Tuesday– Spy Science and Cryptography– Book List

By STEM Tuesday on December 3, 2024 / Cryptography/Spy Science, STEM Tuesday

From ancient ciphers to modern-day digital encryption techniques, this month’s book list explores the science, technology, engineering, and math that make code-making (and code-breaking) possible.

The Enigma Girls written by Candace Fleming

It all began with a letter in an unmarked envelope received by ten teenage girls. It was World War II, and the British were desperate to break the German Enigma code. Instead of turning to cryptographers, these women were responsible for Bletchley Park, a well-kept secret operating under the code name Station X. Award winning author Candace Fleming spins an engaging narrative based on true facts.

Unbreakable: The Spies Who Cracked the Nazis’ Secret Code by Rebecca Barone

Rebecca Barone jumps across the European continent to trace the history of the Enigma machine, an encryption device invented by the Germans and thought to be unbreakable. Barone highlights the international collaboration among Polish, French, and British spies and codebreakers that made it possible to break the Enigma cipher and secure victory for the Allies during World War II. This well-researched nonfiction book reads like a spy novel, and readers will be riveted from the first page to the last.

Can You Crack the Code? written by Ella Schwartz and illustrated by Lily Williams

This book focuses on the history of ciphers and codes. It’s well laid out with great illustrations and would be a great fit for aspiring cryptographers and anyone who loves secret codes, ciphers, and puzzles. It includes historical stories and explanations on how letters, numbers, and symbols can translate into understandable text. The book also features sample codes to solve yourself and resources at the end.

Create Your Own Secret Language written by David J. Peterson and illustrated by Ryan Goldsberry

This how-to book will help children learn how to create their own secret language, codes, ciphers, and hidden messages. David J. Peterson is an expert language creator who invented languages for Game of Thrones, the Marvel Universe, and more. KIds can learn how to communicate in secret whether it’s written, drawn, or spoken. The illustrations are especially useful.

Code Cracking for Kids by Jean Daigneau

Another essential volume about codes and ciphers, this book provides a comprehensive history of “secret writing,” from hieroglyphics and invisible ink to ciphers, bar codes, and semaphores. Sprinkled throughout the text are instructions for 21 hands-on activities that give aspiring cryptologists a chance to try their hand at making and breaking their own codes.

CodeBreakers by DK Publishing

This book provides an overview of the greatest code makers and code-breakers in history through easy to read stories to engage young readers. Examples are deciphering the Rosetta Stone and cracking the Enigma code during World War II. The book includes a reference section with key facts, timelines, and a glossary of terms. It’s easy to navigate with eye popping illustrations.

Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers by Lee Francis IV, Roy Boney Jr., Arigon Starr, Jonathan Nelson, Renee Nejo, and Lee Francis III

Created by six Native American authors and illustrators, this fascinating graphic novel tells the history of Native American code talkers in the United States military. While the Navajo code talkers of World War II are the best known, this book sheds light on the many other tribes who served in Navy, Army, and Marines, beginning with the Cherokee and Choctaw during World War I. Because tribal languages were not based in Latin or written down, they became the basis for an unbreakable code that led to victories in both world wars. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in codes and cryptography!

Top Secret: Spies, Codes, Capers, Gadgets, and Classified Cases Revisited by Crispin Boyer

This book is essentially a kid-focused encyclopedia covering a slew of interesting and historical information in a fun and creative way, from Egyptian hieroglyphics to gaming nomenclature. Young readers will learn tricks of the spy trade, get the scoop behind sleuthing, and discover all kinds of skills, like how ninjas walked on water. The texts are easy to read and are paired with engaging pictures and illustrations.

How to Be an International Spy by Andy Briggs

Structured as a training manual for wannabe spies, this engaging book contains factoids about intelligence agencies around the world, demystifies the lingo used in espionage, and features profiles of real spies from history. There are extensive sections devoted to cryptography, digital espionage and cybersecurity, high-tech tools (including instructions for how to make your own), and even tips and tricks for conducting surveillance and going off the grid.

Top Secret Science: Projects You’re Not Supposed to Know About by Jennifer Swanson

Scientists have been on the front lines of secret projects throughout history, from encryption to weapons development to human experimentation. Part of the Scary Science series, the six short chapters in this easy-to-read book introduce readers to the Manhattan Project, Operation Vegetarian, Nazi experimentation, and more.

This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Author Lydia Lukidis

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023), which is a Crystal Kite winner, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, and Cybils Award nominee. A science enthusiast from a young age, she now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.

Callie Dean is a researcher, writer, and musician living in Shreveport, LA. She writes stories that spark curiosity and encourage kids to explore their world. Her first picture book will be published in 2026. For more information, please visit https://calliebdean.com.

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