A Fond Farewell

Once upon a time, there was a school librarian who retired to care for aging family and to celebrate books and reading outside the classroom.

Along with some middle grade writer folks, she had time to create her dream of many years: a regional history resource site for MG teachers and their students.

She sought other ways to celebrate reading, too, and when the perfect opportunity to cheer about books for her favorite age-range arose at From The Mixed Up Files, she jumped at the chance to join in.

She met many wonderful people and rejoiced in the new ways she could be a cheerleader for children’s literature. It was an honor to help to build the team and make things hum there, too.

Time passed, and things changed. The history website became the children’s imprint of the publishing company she had inherited from her father, and her path was clear. The school invited her back to work on making the library collection, system, and spaces better. Celebrating books had a different face for her once more, and it was time to bid farewell to this particular Middle Grade home.

I’ve had a wonderful time in this vibrant community of kidlit champions. I look forward to seeing what’s next for From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors.

Happy reading!

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Valerie Stein
In fourth grade, Valerie Stein touched an ancient artifact from an archaeological dig. Though she never got to travel the world in search of buried treasure, she ended up journeying to new and exciting places between the pages of books. Now she spends her time researching history, in museums and libraries, which is like archaeology but without the dirt. Valerie’s book, THE BEST OF IT: A JOURNAL OF LIFE, LOVE AND DYING, was published in 2009. Her current work focuses on historical fiction set in Washington State. Valerie is proprietor of Homeostasis Press, and blogs at The Best of It. She manages Gather Here, an online history site for middle grade readers and teachers.
12 Comments
  1. You will be missed, Valerie, but I know your next chapter will be an exciting one! Thanks for all of your wonderful posts and contributions!

    • Thanks so much, Trudi! I look forward to sharing exciting chapters with you in the future.

  2. You will be missed. I hope all your wishes come true!

  3. You’ve had an amazing story of your own! We’ll miss you and your guidance, but I look forward to hearing all about this next chapter you’re embarking on. Wishing all the blessings in the world!

    • I am pretty excited to see where my new adventures lead. Will miss all my pals at MUF.

  4. Wishing you a wonderful new chapter!

  5. We’re going to miss you !! Don’t forget to stop in every now and then to say hello. And thank you so much for everything.

    • I’ll miss you, too! But you know I’m not really gone… just 12 years old forever, with my nose in a good book. 🙂

  6. Thanks a bunch, Kate! It’s been wonderful to meet such lovely folks here.

  7. We’ll miss you, Valerie! Thank you for your contributions to this blog, and all you do for kid lit!