Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Writers and Writing

Several recently published and upcoming titles explore writing and writers. From unconventional writing rules to new ways of presenting content, explore approaches to writing, spaces for creation, and techniques to jumpstart writing.

Robert’s Rules of Writing, Second Edition: 111 Unconventional Lessons that Every Writer Needs to Know

Robert Masello, 2021, Allworth, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Themes: Language Arts, Communication, Writing

Exploring problems and issues faced by writers across genres, the author challenges traditional approaches and provides over 100 useful and often humorous ideas.

Take-aways: Students will enjoy many of Masello’s practical writing suggestions. Weave them into classroom presentations or post “the rules” on a bulletin board.

The New Academic: A Researcher’s Guide to Writing and Presenting Content in a Modern World

Simon Clews, 2023, Sourcebooks

Themes: Language Arts, Communications, Writing

Although designed for academics, this book explores practical ways to think about sharing information for anyone interested in writing, speaking, profiling, and communicating. The hands-on approach provides useful examples and publishing ideas.

Take-aways: Use this book to make real-world writing assignments and encourage students to think about audiences that go beyond the classroom. Consider about ways to collaborate across the curriculum for authentic writing projects.

Write Away! Poetry: Guided Poetry Journal with 75+ Writing Prompts

Editors, 2023, Chartwell Books

Themes: Language Arts, Writing, Journaling

With over 75 writing prompts, this guided-journal provides ideas for playing with memory, words, senses, and form. Although designed for poetry writing, the ideas can be adapted for other types of writing experiences.

Take-aways: Weave the writing prompts in the classroom as part of springboard or reflection activities.

Writer’s Retreat: Literary Cabins, Creative Hideaways, and Favorite Writing Spaces of Iconic Authors

Neil Burkey, 2021, Imagine, an imprint of Charlesbridge Publishing

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Exploring the writing spaces of over 50 authors, this fascinating quick-read provides unique insights into the writers, their works, and the places they create.

Take-aways: Personalize your examination of the authors already found in the curriculum by adding insights about the locations where they wrote.

Rooms of their Own: Where Great Writers Write

Alex Johnson, 2022, Frances Lincoln, an imprint of Quarto Group

Themes: Language Arts, Literary Figures, Biography

Readers explore the spaces, habits, and rituals of 50 famous writers. Going beyond the locations themselves, the book examines how specific spaces impact the writing process.

Take-aways: Use the examples in this book to talk with students about the connection between authors and place. Also, connect to personal habits and writing rituals.

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Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

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Website: Authorial London

AUTHORIAL LONDON is a literary geography web project of the Center for Interdisciplinary Digital Research at Stanford University.

The project compiles and maps references to London places found in the works and biographies of writers who lived there. Users can research the literary works of writers who lived in London. It allows students to explore and analyze curated passages from literary, geographical, and biographical perspectives. User can find out where famous and lesser known writers lived and figure out which writers lived near each other. Users click on a particular point on the map to bring up a list of authors associated with the same neighborhood.

Librarians can browse more than fifty authors and explore the places they lived and their literary works within dimensions of genre, form, period, social standing and neighborhood. Connect this website with social studies and history teachers.

To learn more, go to https://cidr-authorial-prod.stanford.edu/

Website: Read.Gov

READ.GOV is website from the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.

The web resource links to key Library of Congress resources connected with reading. In addition to materials related to books and authors, users will also find many ways to participate with Library of Congress activities such as contests, events, and awards.

Students will particularly enjoy learning about the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and watching author webcasts.

Librarians will find this website to be a great way to weave literature, author, and reading activities into the classroom.

To learn more, go to http://www.read.gov/.

Website: National Book Festival

The LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL is held each Fall to celebrate books and reading.

The event includes a wide range of programs including dozens of author events.

The National Book Festival website allows people from around the world to participate live through video, audio, and social media activities. Videos and podcasts are also available from past events.

In addition to festival information, the website also links to a book festival blog and kids and teacher’s guide.

Librarians will find this website to be a fun way to kick off the school year or to weaving author and book activities throughout the year.

To visit the website, go to https://loc.gov/bookfest/.

Website Review: Origami Yoda

The ORIGAMI YODA website provides resources associated with Tom Angleberger’s books and characters.

Set up as a blog, the website includes news and information about the author’s books and characters. In addition, users can explore information about the author and his books. Videos provide step-by-step origami instructions. Lots of examples of origami projects are available along with the option to submit original designs. In addition, a newsletter is available for educators.

Librarians will find the website provides lots of ideas and resources for book-related activities. Create a makerspace featuring the books along with materials for making origami projects. Include nonfiction books on paper folding along with related titles.

To visit the website, go to http://www.origamiyoda.com/.

Website Review: Scholastic: Librarians

LIBRARIANS from Scholastic is a website specifically designed for school and public librarians.

The librarians section of Scholastic’s website features specific resources of interest to those working with children. In addition to featuring new books, the website provides direct links to major services such as Go!, TrueFlix, ScienceFlix, FreedomFlix, and BookFlix. Dozens of videos feature author interviews. Of particular note is the Idea Share section featuring resources and discussions related to holding book fairs. Be sure to download the “Scholastic Supports Librarians” PDF containing research about the importance of libraries and librarians.

Librarians will find this website to be useful in collection development, lesson planning, and book fair planning. Although it’s focused on works by Scholastic, it contains useful ideas connected all types of materials. Their research on libraries is also useful in preparing to meet with school boards.

To visit the website, go to http://www.scholastic.com/librarians/.

Digital Spotlight: Discovering Literature: Romantics and Victorians

DISCOVERING LITERATURE: ROMANTICS AND VICTORIANS from the British Library is a digital collection containing literary treasures and related resources.

Contents: This focused digital collection provides users with access to 1,200 Romantic and Victorian literary works, insights by 60 experts, 25 documentary files, and 20 teachers’ notes. A search tool can be used to locate specific historical materials such as diaries, letters, and photographs. Users can explore by author, work, theme, article, or video. A teacher resource section provides teaching ideas and educational materials.

Classroom Connections: English and history teachers will find this website to be a useful teaching resource.

Featured Digital Objects:
Goblin Market http://www.bl.uk/…/articles/an-introduction-to-goblin-market
Anthropomorphism in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland http://www.bl.uk/…/anthropomorphism-in-alices-adventures-in…
Child Labour http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victor…/articles/child-labour

To visit the collection, go to http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians

Book Review: Ideas Are All Around

IDEAS ARE ALL AROUND by Philip C. Stead tells the uplifting story of finding inspiration in everyday activities.

This charming picture book tells the story of an author who seeks writing ideas while walking his dog and talking with a neighbor. The simple story highlights the value of getting outdoors and interacting with others. While younger children will enjoy the whimsical story, older readers will appreciate the everyday places that can spark creativity.

Librarians will find something for everyone in this imaginative picture book. Connect with the physical education teacher to encourage students to use outdoor adventures as the source for writing inspiration. Work with the art teacher to arouse creativity through combining outdoor digital photography with other forms of art. Use this powerful book to jumpstart classroom writing activities.

To learn more about the author/illustrator, go to https://philipstead.com/.

Published by Roaring Brooke Press, an imprint of Macmillan on March 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Shakespeare for Kids

SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDS from the Folger Shakespeare Library contains eight, web-based learning resources for students.

Using primary source documents, the eight pages immerse children in the history surrounding Shakespeare and his works. While some resources focus on facts, others incorporate challenges and other activities.

Librarians will find this website to be an interesting way to explore facts related to Shakespeare and his works. However, much of the content relies on students having some background knowledge of the time period and Shakespeare’s works. Consider using the content to create your own bulletin board or display featuring the works of Shakespeare.

For older students, the main website contains a wealth of information about Shakespeare.

To visit the website, go to http://www.folger.edu/shakespeare-kids.

Website Review: KidLit TV

KIDLIT TV is a website exploring the world of children’s literature.

Designed for parents and educators, the online resource contains audio, video, and links to resources related to reading and children’s books.

The Storymakers series uses a talk show format to feature authors and illustrators.
The Field Trip section explores topics in children’s literature such as pop up books.
The Inside Scoop area features upcoming titles and kid lit news.
The Read Out Loud section contains videos of author’s reading their books aloud.

In addition, the website contains a community area featuring members of the children’s literature community from teachers and librarians to authors.

In addition to the website, the videos are available at YouTube. The YouTube Channel also links to book trailers and children’s videos from publishers and other sources.

KidLit TV is a fun way to keep up with what’s happening in children’s literature. Librarians will find the resource useful for locating new books and project ideas.

To visit the website, go to http://kidlit.tv/.

To visit the YouTube channel, go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmmQ9RQUy0ha9EZkIfwa5g.