Classroom

Michaela MacColl is a history scholar drawn to strong female characters, both historical and literary. Her latest novel, Nobody's Secret, features the poet Emily Dickinson, on the trail of a murderer.

Tackling the subject of refugees from war-ravaged nations who find an outlet in playing soccer, Maria Padian's Out of Nowhere and Warren St. John's Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town explore the devastating pasts and impoverished situations of these athletes, as well as the bigotry they encounter in their new homes.

Vibrant illustrations, illuminating representations of basic math concepts, and dynamic storytelling add up to offerings that entertain as they educate.

Inquiry and nonfiction are closely related and books that explore the work of scientists can be ideal mentor texts as students develop skills that are essential for learning.

Join Mary Ehrenworth, the Deputy Director at the Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College, Columbia University, and co-author of Pathways to the Common Core, as she explores creating a school culture of reading, the challenges and methods for getting just-right books into kids' hands, increasing nonfiction engagement, and building structures for clubs and parent involvement through the central core of a school’s reading life— the library. Archive now available!

Recent statistics from the CDC reveal that 1 in 88 children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent titles for students, teachers, and families, broaden our understanding of individual needs, and highlight the enormous potential for achievement for children and teens on the spectrum.

When it comes to putting Common Core Standards into action, there’s one word for where we’re at as a nation: patchwork. Marc Aronson points out what school librarians can do to remedy the situation.

As this article goes live, we are three—count 'em!— three days away from opening the new Gum Spring Library. I've been here since mid-January, and I'm just beginning to realize that the expectations I had in my head were way off base. Between preparing volunteers, planning opening day activities, and training pages, few things have gone exactly as planned. Yet despite the many changes we've made in our schedule, our confidence grows as we learn what must be done now and what can wait.

"Yes: I think it is fair, appropriate and altogether fitting that we share our passion for media. I think a great question to ask anyone and to demand an answer to is: why are you a fan of __(fill in the blank)_?"