For three years, I have been monitoring awards announcements, checking in on Jennifer LaGarde and Donalyn Miller’s starred-reviews tracking, and reading book review journals. Two years ago, I spent some time at the GAP School library organizing their collection and seeing what flew off the shelf and what didn’t. I began checking best seller lists, […]
Croco by Azul López Translated from the Spanish by Kit Maude Winner of the 2026 Mildred A. Batchelder Award Poor Croco. This crocodile is going about his business when he stumbles into a large hole. Although many jungle animals offer Croco advice, none of it is quite right for him. This simple story is elevated to the […]
Author studies examine one author’s work using multiple sources. Author studies are undertaken by a whole class, small group, or even just the educator. These studies pack in multiple opportunities to explore reading, writing, and critical thinking. They expose learners to both literary and information texts. They deepen our reading while providing an opportunity to […]
I first fell in love with the work of Matthew Cordell when I read his 2018 Caldecott acceptance speech for Wolf in the Snow, followed by the book itself. Cordell says, On the other end of this human spectrum, children rather terrified me. With their keen, sometimes brutal insightfulness, their unpredictability, and their unrelenting energy. […]
Banned Book Week is Oct 5th to Oct 11th. As they do each year, ALA has published the top ten most challenged books of 2024. With book challenges and bans on the rise, nationally, I was interested in what we are experiencing locally. Via the JMRL contact form, I asked about book challenges at our […]
Rachel Vogus' Habits and Hobbies 