A Long-Unpaid Debt

Here’s a funny little story. Judith Freeman, author of such books as The Long Embrace: Raymond Chandler and the Woman He Loved, says that Republican U.S. presidential nominee Willard Mitt Romney owes her family money -- and has for more than a century.

“The financial connection,” explains the Los Angeles Times, “was between Romney's great-grandfather Miles P. Romney and Freeman’s

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8/27/12

Jen and Kellee host a weekly meme called "What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA." It encourages you to share what you read during the previous week and to plan what you're going to read/review during the current week. Thank you, Kelly and Jen, for hosting this fun meme.

Unusual Creatures. By Michael Hearst. Illustrated by Arjen Noordeman, Christie Wright, and Jelmer Noorderman. Chronicle, 2012. Interest level: Grades 3-7.

Pretend you asked me to share five adjectives that best describe this book: UNIQUE. INFORMATIVE. WELL-DESIGNED. ENGAGING. FUNNY.

Bad Apple. Written and illustrated by Edward Hemingway. Penguin, 2012. Interest level: K-2.

Yes, you asked for five adjectives about this book, too. COLORFUL. SWEET. DIDACTIC (IN A GOOD WAY). SIMPLE. TIMELY. (Because it deals with bullying.)

The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Written by Elizabeth George Speare. Houghton Mifflin, 1958. Interest level: Grades 5-9.

I talk more about The One and Only Ivan in the video, so I'll share five adjectives about it. POIGNANT. CONCISE. POETIC. THOUGHT-PROVOKING. A MASTERPIECE. (I realize masterpiece is a noun.)

Onion John by Joseph Krumgold

Yesterday's Book Purchases

Adding books to my school library's collection is one of the best parts of my job. I have an open purchase order with Anderson's Bookshop, which means I visit the bookshop every week (sometimes every day) to pick up a handful of new titles for my students. I like having an open purchase order with Anderson’s for three reasons.

1. I'm supporting a local independent bookshop.

2. I often call Anderson's throughout the day if a student requests a specific title that we do not carry.

3. Anderson’s is a magical place.

Yesterday afternoon, I selected the first books for the 2012-2013 school year

(The numbers in the photograph match the books below.)

1. Kel Gilligan's Daredevil Stunt Show by Michael Buckley and Dan Santat. Interest level: Grades K-3.

2. Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer. Interest level: Grades K-2.

3. Dog Gone by Leeza Hernandez. Interest level: Grades K-1.

4. Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkes. Interest level: K-1.

5. Big Nate Makes the Grade by Lincoln Peirce. Interest level: Grades 4-7.

6. One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale. Interest level: Grades 3-6.

7. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Interest level: Grades 4-8.

8. Freedie Ramos Makes a Splash by Jacqueline Jules. Interest level: Grades 1-3.

9. The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm by Patricia MacLachlan.