Today is my book birthday for Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Human Rights Activist by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown, and published by Red Comet Press. A moving portrait of Yuri Kochiyama—an ordinary woman who became an extraordinary activist—and her bond with Malcolm X When Japanese American activist Yuri…
Here is the Teacher’s Guide for Barbed Wire Between Us: Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación This is a free and downloadable guide: Barbed Wire Between Us Teacher’s Guide Related Barbed Wire Between Us Videos Interview with illustrator Violeta Encarnacio: Original song music video for Barbed Wire…
There are a lot of holidays in October to celebrate! I’ve listed my resources below each celebration. Banned Books Week Banned Books Week is October 4-10, 2026 22 Banned Asian American Children’s Books #fREADomToRead 12 Banned Books in New England #fREADomToRead Top 10 Must-Read Banned Books for Kids Top 10: Challenged or Banned…
My Book News! How To Coach Girls books are back in print! Teacher’s Guide for BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US in Read Across America calendar The original song “Barbed Wire Between Us” by Daria Music won a Bronze Global Music Award in the category of Protest Music in July 2026: …
When I started my manuscript on Yuri Kochiyama nearly seven years ago, there weren’t any books on her. I have always vaguely known about her growing up. It could be that she is close to my mother’s age, also a Japanese American forced to leave her home during WWII. Yuri also grew up not too…
Maverick Kings: Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. This was an amazing exhibit if you love ancient Egypt like I do! The “Maverick Kings: Three Visionary Pharaohs of Egypt’s Golden Age” exhibition runs from September 6, 2026, through December 6, 2026, at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (MFA). …
Please join Kathy Choi and me for a storytime and craft at Newtonville Books! Saturday, November 6th 11 am Newtonville Books 10 Langley Rd Newton, MA 02459 We will be reading Giving Thanks with Halmoni: Celebrating Chuseok, the Korean Harvest Festival and The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of…
This book, Body Beautiful by Susan Verde, illustrated by Steph Littlebird, inspired me to make this list. I am giving away a copy of Body Beautiful. To enter, please leave a comment. 17 Body Positive Children’s Books Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali “A beautiful person is someone who…
If you are attending the CT Association of School Librarians, I hope to see you there! I will be there on Monday, November 2nd, between 9 am and 3 pm. p.s. Related posts: 22 Life-Changing Librarians in Children’s Books 50+ Best Books for Middle Schoolers: From Our Wonderful Middle School Librarian! Holiday Gift…
Even with your best efforts to make your child comfortable with reading, they may still experience reading anxiety or reluctance. Some may even have unresolved reading trauma from years of past reading failures. On October 19th, I will be speaking at the Close the Reading Gap Summit. This free event is for parents and teachers….