Day 1 of #NCTE16: Honesty, Hope, & Renewal

Hi, friends. I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I always start the school year with the best of intentions, and then the semester starts and undermines these intentions. Someday I'll figure out the school-writing-life balance. Additionally, the news of late has made it hard to write.

However, I am writing this from my hotel room in Atlanta, where I am for the 2016 NCTE Annual Convention. While I had a hard time to muster up my usual enthusiasm for the conference this year, today's events reaffirmed the importance of having organizations like NCTE. Today, I had the chance to see Shakespeare's First Folio and participate in a workshop led by some excellent scholar-teachers from the Folger Shakespeare Library. I heard Doug Hesse's moving and powerful speech regarding the importance of teaching writing and critical thinking during a time when these things might seem optional (or even unnecessary) rather than fundamental. I got to see Maureen Downey interview Diane Ravitch regarding the state of education and the possible changes that might be coming under the new administration in a way that was both honest and hopeful.

Banned Books Week 2016

Today is the start of Banned Books Week for 2016, and as I've written in 2014 and 2015, it is a week and a topic that is near and dear to my heart. This year's topic, which is spotlighting diversity, is especially timely and relevant. Research indicates that minority authors are often victims of having their books banned or challenged. Additionally, the books that are most likely to be banned are books that focus on some type of diversity. Although this isn't surprising, it is disheartening, since recent events as well as many of the close-minded sentiments that are said in this country and in the world illustrate the importance of reading books from diverse perspectives and about people who are different from us. While I wish that this focus wasn't needed, I'm thrilled that this year's Banned Books Week emphasizes it, and I hope that it helps continue the dialogue about diversity in books.

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association

YA Book Review: Ghosts

When I found out that Raina Telgemeier had a new book coming out this fall, I immediately added it to my wishlist. I always enjoy her work (as a former backstage theatre nerd, Drama rings particularly true to me), and I admire her ability to deal with topics in a way that is age appropriate and realistic. This ability comes to the forefront in Ghosts, her latest book, as she addresses themes of illness and death with compassion and sensitivity while tempering the seriousness of the issues with humor.

August's and September's Online Professional Development Opportunities

Despite my best intentions, class prep and beginning-of-the-semester meetings got in the way of posting this month. However, before the month is out, I wanted to do a quick round-up of the upcoming professional development opportunities that August and September still have in store!

Book Round-Up for August 29: Finishing Up Summer Reading

Something I've learned about myself is that I have a latent competitive streak. While it doesn't always manifest itself, it can be a dangerous and powerful thing when it does emerge. It doesn't translate to sports (at which I am terrible at) or even in situations that seem competitive (think trivia night contents). However, it comes out in full force when I am competing against myself. This is particularly true when it comes to reading and books. I keep up with the books I read each year on my personal LibraryThing account, and I always want to beat my previous year's tally.

This usually translates to a great excuse to spend lots of quality time reading during the summer, which is really one of the only times I have to dedicate myself to pleasure reading for an extended period. However, summer is also a time to read books for the new school year, particularly in preparation for the YAL and trade book suggestions I provide for my students. So, without further ado, here are some books I read this summer but that I didn't write about in another round-up.

picture from
Jacqueline Woodson's website

Two Exciting Online Professional Opportunities for August 2016

I can't believe today is the first day of August (seriously, where did July go?)! This means that the start of school is just around the corner for most of us, and it also signals a prime time for some before school inspiration and professional development. Fortunately, there are two excellent (and free) online opportunities coming soon. This means that you can get ready for the school year and hear from some wonderful speakers without having to leave your couch. While I'll be posting about other PD opportunities later this week, I wanted to highlight these two before it is too late (as you'll see, one starts tomorrow).

EdmodoCon 2016 is August 2 (aka tomorrow) and 3. The conference focuses on how teachers can use Edmodo and other digital tools and resources to improve students' learning. Both days of the conference features numerous speakers and sessions on a number of topics related to education and education technology.

SLJTeen Live is on August 10, 2016. As I've mentioned before, this is a great opportunity to listen to authors speak about their work (this year's keynote speakers are Meg Medina and Maggie Stiefvater) and to interact with young adult publishers to learn about the different books and materials they offer.

Book Round-Up for June 27: Exploring Superheroes

I've always been intrigued by literary criticism and analysis of popular culture, and lately, I've been indulging this interest by reading books that examine the meaning and reach of superheroes. In many ways, these books act both as literary analysis and social commentary. While literature, and the arts and humanities, have always shaped and reflected culture, this seems to be especially true when it comes to thinking about comics. Superman, Batman, and others not only cater to the needs and interests of their readers, they also leave indelible marks on popular culture and society's mindset.

The following books would be great to offer as options for independent reading or as a way of engaging reluctant readers (even though they are a bit on the long side). Additionally, they can provide a fun way of introducing students to literary criticism and analysis while using texts and subjects students are familiar with.

The Perfect Poem for Hard Times: Lin-Manuel Miranda's Sonnet

After the tragic events in Orlando, Florida yesterday, the many people involved with the Tony Awards had a difficult decision to make. Should they postpone the show, as was done with the Emmys in the wake of 9/11? Or should they go ahead with the show and the telecast? If they decided to do the show, how could they strike the balance between celebrating Broadway while also acknowledging the grief that the nation was feeling?

Fortunately, at least from my point of view, the Tony Awards did go forward and found the right tone. This was due, in large part, to many of the speeches. From host James Corden's opening at the very beginning of the telecast (with him and the awards show audience facing the camera) to Frank Langella's acceptance speech for his best actor in a play, the Tonys showcased not just the immense talent found on Broadway but also the kindness and compassion that many theatre people have. Additionally, and in contrast with some of the horrible things that people were saying online after the shootings, the show highlighted the ability of words to heal and provide comfort during times of despair.

As a poetry lover, I found Lin-Manuel Miranda's acceptance speech for best score particularly moving. Done in sonnet form and directed to his wife, Miranda, as he often does, found a way to make his message moving on a public and personal level.

My wife’s the reason anything gets done

She nudges me towards promise by degrees

She is a perfect symphony of one

Our son is her most beautiful reprise.

We chase the melodies that seem to find us

Until they’re finished songs and start to play

When senseless acts of tragedy remind us

That nothing here is promised, not one day.

This show is proof that history remembers

We lived through times when hate and fear seemed stronger;

We rise and fall and light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer

And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.

I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story

Now fill the world with music, love and pride.

Book Round-Up for June 6, 2016

After dedicating the first book round-up post on nonfiction picture books, I thought that this second post would be a great time to write about nonfiction YAL. I have long enjoyed nonfiction (in fact, I often prefer nonfiction to fiction), and I especially love the nonfiction YAL that is available. Besides being engagingly written, these books offer some great opportunities for interdisciplinary connections and readings in various subject areas.

A few notes regarding these book round-ups, if you have any suggestions for books I should feature, please let me know! Also, I plan on posting these semi-regularly. I initially planned on doing them on a weekly basis, but given other responsibilities, I've decided to do them a minimum of once a month.

picture from Sarah Miller's website

June's Online Professional Development Opportunities

I know - it can be a little hard to even think about professional development in June, just as you are coming off of (or finishing up) another busy school year. However, kicking off your summer (or ending your school year) with some professional development can be great; besides being a chance to connect with other educators and reflect on the past year, it also can be nice to be in more of the student role for a change. With this in mind, here are some intriguing online professional development opportunities that are being offered this month.

Book Round-Up for May 30, 2016

Over the past few months, I've been fortunate to receive a number of books from Macmillan and other sources, and I've been trying to think of a way to share my thoughts on these books and help others learn about them. To do this, I'm experimenting with an ongoing series of posts for this blog in the form of a semi-regular book round-up. These will consist of quick takes and some brief reviews on books that I find interesting and/or notable. Many of these books will be new, some will be new-to-me, and others will be some of my old favorites.

SLJ TeenLive 2016 is Coming!

This week, I got an email about SLJ TeenLive 2016 event, which will be on August 10, 2016. This free virtual conference, which used to be called SummerTeen, is in its fifth year, and it just keeps getting better and better. The conference features keynote speakers (this year they are Meg Medina, the author of Burn Baby Burn, and Maggie Stiefvater, the author of The Raven King), panel discussion, and a virtual exhibit hall where attendees can ask questions, learn about new books, enter contests, and more. If you are interested in young adult literature, I highly recommend this event! It's fun and informative, and you can do it at your own pace (and in your pajamas if you are so inclined).

For more information or to register, click on the banner above or go to the registration page.

The Young Adult Library Project, Part III: LibraryThing App & TinyCat

Happy (almost) summer! After an unanticipated hiatus, I'm back to blogging, and I hope to keep it up on a semi-regular basis this summer and into the new academic year. One of the things that has spurred me to resume blogging are some new features, the LibraryThing App and TinyCat, that LibraryThing (which I have blogged about several times before) has unveiled over the past few months. These features add a great deal of functionality to what was already a great resource, particularly when it comes to maintaining a small library.

February's Online Professional Development Opportunities

While January can be a bit of a slog (the holidays are over, the weather is usually not so great, and teachers and students are trying to get back in the swing of things), I'm always amazed at how quickly the month can pass by. Now we're one month into the new semester, and things are, at least in theory, starting to settle down, which means it's the perfect time for some professional development.

January's Online Professional Development Opportunities

Happy (belated) new year, and I hope your 2016 is off to a good start!

While January can be a bit of a letdown after the excitement and stress of the holidays, I like to think of it as a time of renewal and starting fresh. If one of your resolutions for this year is to take part in more professional development, then here are some resources to help you.