Augusta Scattergood is an author, a librarian, a book reviewer, and one of the nicest and most hospitable people you'll ever meet. I invited her on Watch. Connect. Read. to finish my sentence starters about Glory Be, school visits, and reading. Thankfully, she said YES!
I wrote the words in red, and Augusta wrote the words in black. Thank you, Augusta!
Glory Be tells the story I've always wanted to share with kids but never quite knew how to. I hope Glory makes accessible, with a touch of humor, what could have been a somber tale of a swimming pool closing in a racially charged time and place. Historical fiction is right at the top of my favorite genres to read, but I think it must be a story kids not only relate to and learn from, but also enjoy.
I took Glory Be on the road.
Historical fiction is (see above!). I'm intrigued with the idea that, for young readers, it's anything that occurred before their lifetime. This seems to be a newish, ongoing debate.
In graduate school, studying for my MLS, I was taught that historical fiction took place at least 50 years before the time it was written.
 |
| Check out Scholastic's booktalk for Glory Be. |
Whenever I visit a school library, I want to stay a while. Shelve a few books. Chat with the kids.
The thing I miss the most about being a school librarian is sharing new great books. Poetry Assemblies, Birthday Book celebrations, Breakfast Chat Club—all those special activities librarians get to experience with their students. Now I mostly read great books and shout about them into cyberspace, hoping somebody's listening.
 |
| Click here to hear the excerpt. |
When a child meets an author a magic connection happens for them both.
Picture books are not just for little kids.
Mr. Schu, you should have asked me about my (thankfully) short career as an Elvis impersonator. Maybe not.
I am giving away one copy of Glory Be.
Rules for the Giveaway
1. It will run from 12/7 to 11:59 p.m. on 12/9.
2. You must be at least 13.
3. Please pay it forward.
Borrow Glory Be from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.
