The Original Earth Day
Tomorrow (March 21) is the original Earth Day. So how did April end up becoming Earth Month? I asked an expert on the environment, middle-grade author Bonnie J. Doerr, to tell us the story. Along the...
View ArticleI’ll Take a Little Science with my Fiction, Please
I have a confession. I’m a huge science geek! That’s probably why I write nonfiction books– mostly about science and engineering. But I also like to read fiction, too. Even though I tend towards...
View ArticleChicken!
No, I’m not calling you a chicken. I’m just really excited to talk about live poultry. Isn’t everyone? Wait, that’s just me? Oh. Oops. In all seriousness, I am a farm girl at heart. As a child I spent...
View ArticleSurging into Nonfiction!
The last few months have been a whirlwind of events for me. I’ve attended three different conferences, where I either presented or attended workshops — all about nonfiction. Why? Nonfiction is HOT...
View ArticleThey may be prehistoric but they never get old…(a giveaway)
What it would be like to see a living, breathing dinosaur? The Early Cretaceous brings readers close to prehistoric life. By combining the latest paleontological findings with highly detailed, intimate...
View ArticleCooking for Middle Graders
When my son was 8, he invited a new friend to sleep overnight. As I was passing the kitchen the next morning, I overheard the following conversation: Bjorn: So do you want pancakes, waffles, or eggs...
View ArticleSeptember New Releases
Ready to FALL into some great reads? I’m especially looking forward to CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND A MEMOIR BY JAQUES PAPIER by Michelle Cuevas and CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate. Hey, I still...
View ArticleMeet the Illustrator: Lauren A. Mills
Today we’re lucky to have a behind-the-scenes peek at the work of award-winning author/ illustrator, Lauren A. Mills. Many people know Lauren as a picture book author and illustrator, but Little, Brown...
View ArticleCut to the Chase – Resources for Middle Grade Teachers (wIthout a lot of fuss)
Sometimes, as a teacher, you need resources right away – time is short and the need is huge to help a student find exactly what they need to practice a skill, or maybe you’re looking for one more idea...
View ArticleI Have a Dream…
Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who encouraged people to use peaceful protests to fight injustice. Listen to one of his famous speeches, I Have a Dream. King dreamed of a...
View ArticleAvian Flights of Fancy: MG Books That Feature Birds and Birdwatchers
I am a self-confessed bird brain. My Mom got me hooked as a bird watcher in the 4th grade. Something about watching birds go about their daily lives outside my window, and in the larger world, has...
View ArticleMarch New Releases
Happy March! Here are some of the of the fabulous books hitting the shelves this month, including our own Jen Swanson’s EVERYTHING ROBOTICS: ALL THE PHOTOS, FACTS, AND FUN TO MAKE YOU RACE FOR ROBOTICS...
View ArticleWeird and Wacky Facts
Sometimes while authors are researching books, they run across strange and interesting facts. Some of these discoveries make it into the book, but others don’t. Editors may decide certain facts...
View ArticleInterview and Giveaway with Science Author Patricia Newman
I’m so excited to welcome Author Patricia Newman to the MUF blog today. She writes SCIENCE books! YAY! Patricia (middle) is shown here with Lilian Carswell (L) and Brent Hughes (R). Photo credit:...
View ArticleEnvironmental Issues: What Would Harry Potter Do?
Teachers: with Earth Day approaching (April 22), you might be spending time going over the [now] 4 R’s with your class. Maybe you’re discussing environmental issues. With the pressure of addressing...
View ArticleWinners of the STEM Tuesday Book Blast!
THANK YOU for all of the wonderful comments about STEM! We are thrilled to hear of your excitement for our new blog and hope you will join us this Tuesday, November 7th, for our very first post. As...
View ArticleSTEM TUESDAY: Zoology – Book List
Welcome to the STEM Tuesday launch! In this first week of November, we’re happy to be here to share some terrific books for your STEM bookshelf . This month our books focus on ZOOLOGY. Zoo Scientists...
View ArticleSTEM TUESDAY: Zoology – In the Classroom
Welcome to the Second STEM Tuesday of the Month! This inaugural post offers some really wild ideas for connecting zoology books, activities, and kids. With this month’s selections and ideas, your...
View ArticleSTEM TUESDAY: Zoology – Craft & Resources
Reading Like a Writer I am a student of nonfiction. If you hope to write nonfiction well, you have to be. When studying a book, I prefer to read it three times: That first read is for pure enjoyment:...
View ArticleDecember New Releases!
The holidays are almost here. What makes a better gift than a book? NOTHING! As you start your shopping, consider looking for great books to buy for all of your friends, relatives, and well, just...
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