 My 9-year-old self is squealing with glee! My book PURE GRIT appears in this month's Scholastic Reading Club form in schools across the country. This may be the most exciting thing yet in my writing career. When my elementary school teachers passed out those book club flyers, I couldn't wait to look through and see what books were available. I usually could only afford one book each month, so sometimes the decision was rough going. Nothing compared to seeing the box arrive, my teacher slitting the tape, the books coming out and one getting passed into my hands. Maybe my dream of writing books for kids started right there. Scholastic buys the rights to publish cheaper paperback editions of books for the reading club, to make it easier for kids to own their own books. Teachers pass out the order forms and students can bring money to school or their parents can purchase the books online.  Scholastic awards points to teachers for all the books their students purchase. Teachers can use these points to buy books for their classrooms. I'll take this opportunity to acknowledge that a book is a team effort, and to thank the team that produced PURE GRIT.  Since the advent of e-mail, going to the mailbox has lost most of its excitement and gravitas. So it was a red letter day when I received the envelope from my publisher containing a strip of silver stickers. I had know that PURE GRIT had been named a 2014 Eureka! honor book, but it really hit home when I stuck that sticker on the cover. The California Reading Association established the Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award to celebrate and honor nonfiction children’s books and to assist teachers, librarians, and parents in identifying outstanding nonfiction books for their students and children. Click here to see all the books on the list. Also, thank you to readers, librarians, teachers, and Veteran's organizations--I am humbled by your response to the book. |
I'm fascinated to discover little-known history, stories of people and events that provide a new perspective on why and how things happened, new voices that haven't been heard, insight into how the past brought us here today, and how it might guide us to a better future.
I also post here about my books and feature other authors and their books on compelling and important historical topics. Occasionally, I share what makes me happy, pictures of my garden, recipes I've made, events I've attended, people I've met. I'm always happy to hear from readers in the blog comments, by email or social media. Archives
September 2023
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