From The Mixed Up Files

Studying amphibians is a natural interest for most students.  After all, some amphibians hop, they stick out their tongues to catch their meals, and they go back and forth from land to water.  Studying amphibians is also a great way to expand students’ critical thinking skills through STEM.  Luckily, some great books can help teachers, parents, librarians, and others on this mission. First of all, what is an amphibian?  By definition, they are a cold-blooded vertebrate animal that usually has two different life stages in two different habitats.  That is, larval in a water stage,...

On March 19, Publisher’s Weekly reported that the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce moved forward with House Resolution (HR) 7661. As recorded on congress.gov, the stated purpose of this bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) is as follows: “To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the use of funds provided under such Act to develop, implement, facilitate, host, or promote any program or activity for, or to provide or promote literature or other materials to, children under the age of 18 that includes sexually oriented material, and for other purposes.”  ...

Changing the clocks for Daylight Saving Time reminded me of how disruptive losing one hour can be, and had me imagining if I could travel through time. These seven spectacular books feature diverse characters, each with a definite reason for visiting another time. Some go to the past for a...

Studying amphibians is a natural interest for most students.  After all, some amphibians hop, they stick out their tongues to catch their meals, and they go back and forth from land to water.  Studying amphibians is also a great way to expand students’ critical thinking skills through STEM.  Luckily, some...

When I learned about a new book coming out that had a character with OCD (which I also write about) but was in the paranormal genre, I just had to read it! I’m excited to share my interview with Melanie Dale, the author of Girl of Lore, due out on...

You turn the crank on the side of the colorful box once, then once again, and then wait.  You turn it slower and slower, rapt in anticipation of that freaky clown’s surprise appearance when the lid springs open. With every turn, your heart beats faster, and your eyes get a...

April showers bring….a storm of brand new Middle Grade Releases. Take a look at the books coming your way this month.     A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm by Philip C. Stead A plucky young goatkeeper sets out on...

I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author Fleur Bradley to the blog. I first discovered Fleur when I devoured her middle grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. With its clever clues and spectacular twist, it felt very Agatha Christie for kids. I became an instant fan. She followed with Daybreak on...