Book Lists!

Raise your hand if you grew up learning the scientific method. Me too. In fact, for thousands of years, all the way back to Aristotle in Ancient Greece (and possibly earlier), the scientific method has been the way science is done. And it still is. Sort of. When the Next Generation Science Standards were released in 2013, it was immediately apparent that they are very different than previous standards. The NGSS are written in three dimensions that work together to help students make sense of the world: the Disciplinary Core Ideas, the Crosscutting Concepts, and the Science and Engineering Practices. What are the Science and Engineering Practices? In this post, I’m going to address the Science and Engineering Practices because they describe the actions we want our students to be engaging in. In other words, what we want our students to be able to do. Take a look at a comparison between the scientific method and the practices. What similarities...

You don’t have to be a super sleuth to discover these recently published mysteries written by diverse authors. Readers will be intrigued trying to puzzle out whodunit in these page-turning stories. Yes, they will encounter clues, red herrings and action packed scenes, but, most importantly, they will be thrilled to...

Elephant Appreciation Day occurs during the month of September. What better time to read a book with one of these magnificent animals as a main character. Elephants, the largest land animals in the world, are intelligent, affectionate, and fiercely protective. Enjoy a story where they are front and center. Chained...

“What’s your favorite book?“ That’s one question that often gets asked to authors during author visits or events. That is a tough question for me. To some, though, it’s an easy question, and many of the authors list their favorite book titles without hesitation. I’ve always been envious of the...

Unlike most kids I knew, my family moved almost every year. New town. New school. New hallways to navigate. And nearly every time, I was the only kid of color in the room. This not only left me feeling unsure about who I’d sit with at lunch, but unsure about...

Summertime!  A time to dream of adventures, heroes, magic, and saving the world – all ingredients found in a good book. “Trans kids lives, not only matter, but their lives and stories are magical.” – Aiden Thomas In this list, you will discover stories that feature trans and nonbinary characters...

Summer is the best time to find that perfect spot of shade under a large tree, or snuggle up with a comfy blanket on your favorite chair and read a good book. If you’re looking for something extra cozy to read this summer, here are a few cozy middle grade...