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Dead End in Norvelt, predicting Newbery, Mock Newbery, predicting Caldecott

Predicting 2011 Caldecott and Newbery Winners

Posted on September 12, 2011May 29, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I think Fuse #8 Productions is one of the best children’s lit blogs around. Her predictions for Caldecott and Newbery Winners is usually dead on and I use her list to buy Christmas and birthday books for my kids because the timing of the actual awards comes in early January which is not perfect timing for the holiday season gift buying. Last year based on her list, I bought my oldest a stack from her list.

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How To Get Reluctant Readers Who Can Decode Reading

How To: Get Reluctant Readers Who Can Decode Reading

Posted on September 12, 2011May 29, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I think children who do not struggle with decoding the words can find reading boring for many reasons. Here are three of them: They have not found the right book. Their limited word and world knowledge makes many texts too difficult to understand. They are so used to reading not making sense, that they do not put much energy into making it make sense.

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Newbery Winners by Grade Appropriateness

Newbery Winners by Grade Appropriateness

Posted on September 11, 2011May 29, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Thank you to Hubpages for this information. There are additional book suggestions by grade if click here to see their post. I have added an asterisk to the books that I’ve read and loved (and two astericks for must reads!).

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Bilingual Japanese Books for Kids

19 Bilingual Japanese Children’s Books

Posted on September 11, 2011March 23, 2025 by Pragmatic Mom

I am always delighted to help find books for kids. I received an email asking for book recommendations for Japanese themed and Japanese/English bi-lingual books and this is what I came up with.

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Best Books on Children’s Learning Disabilities (ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia)

Posted on September 9, 2011June 5, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

This is a really helpful post from The Children’s Book Writer about best books for children’s learning disabilities and special needs including ADHD, ADD, and dyslexia.

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white noise such as vacuuming effective as drugs for adhd, http://PragmaticMom.com, Pragmatic Mom

Non-Drug Solution for ADHD

Posted on September 9, 2011June 6, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, are often prescribed powerful medications to help them stay focused in school. But adding white noise to a classroom may be just as effective as drugs at aiding learning among these pupils, suggest the surprising results of a Scandinavian study.

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best books for boys middle school elementary school 3rd 4th 5th 6th third fourth fifth sixth reluctant reader pragmaticmom pragmatic mom

Best Books for Boy Readers, Reluctant or Otherwise (ages 7-14)

Posted on September 8, 2011June 6, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

Reading list for boys, grades 1-6. I love to find books that excite reluctant readers. The key is to find that magic intersection that marries your child’s just-right level with content that matches their interest and a layout that is visually appealing (small chunks of text broken by pictures, larger font size, etc.). Alas, this is a moving target. I have an actual person that I select these books for, my youngest son’s best friend’s older brother who is a 4th grader with my oldest. My mom friends have had success with these books for their reluctant boy readers and suggests you try them. If you want to purchase a book, click on the image of the book to buy at Amazon.com.

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I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen by Jerry Russo
Mia Wenjen
(photo by Jerry Russo)

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog about diverse children’s books, co-founded Read Your World on Jan 29, 2026, and write children’s books.

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Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación

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Fortune Cookies for Everyone (click to purchase)

FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE! by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, Published by Red Comet Press

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The Traveling Taco (click to purchase)

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https://youtu.be/KWTuCwbWLXs

We Sing From the Heart (click to purchase)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlDdwUZpcNI

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

Food for the Future Song created by Daria – World Music for Children

https://youtu.be/uTw6y3EjeOA

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CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

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Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

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How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley

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Recent Posts

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  • BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US Makes Kirkus’ Spring 2026 Preview of Must-Read Children’s Books March 9, 2026
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