Canadian Teacher Magazine

My interview with author Frieda Wishinsky is now online in Canadian Teacher magazine. Click here and download the current issue: http://www.canadianteachermagazine.com/currentissue.shtml

Coming soon: Bucket Books!

Stayed tuned! Soon I will be featuring something new and exciting on my blog! BUCKETBOOKS: 365 books, one book a day to keep boredom away! A list of the best books I've read. I will keep you posted.

Canadian Teacher Magazine

Check out my interview with children's author Chris McMahen, in the current issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine: My new interview in Canadian Teacher Magazine with Canadian children's author Chris McMahen is now online: http://www.canadianteachermagazine.com/currentissue.shtml

Bookmatchmaker

Please read my latest posting about adopting a library in Zambia, here:

http://bookmatchmaker.blogspot.com/2012/01/books-for-zambia.html

Wisconsin State Reading Convention

On February 3 and 4 I will be speaking at the dynamic WISCONSIN STATE READING Convention in Milwaukee. I am doing sessions on nonfiction writing, on poetry in the classroom as well as a Young Authors Conference.
If you live near there, come join us.
Authors Gordon Korman, Stephen Swinburne, Mary Casanova and other will also be presenting!
Check out the program: http://www.wsra.org/index.php?option=com_flashmagazinedeluxe&view=magazine&Itemid=186

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

Wishing you many books for Christmas, a happy holiday season and a New Year full of good books!

The boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Wow. I just finished reading THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS by John Boyne. What a story. Told from the viewpoint of a 9 year old, it is the story of Auschwitz through the eyes of an innocent child. Whose father is in charge of the camp. Wow.
My head is still spinning. It is so well written, so engaging, so lovely and yet so cruel and scary. A great book to use in high school.
I do feel that you need a lot of prior knowledge in order to be able to place the book in its proper context. The story also demonstrates the importance of communication. Bruno, the 9 year old with an annoying 12 year old sister, is lonely within his family. Father is solely preoccupied with his work as Commandant for the Fury (Fuhrer) and Mother is self centered and into 'medicinal sherries'.
If only they had talked to Bruno who is desperate for friends and belonging...

I can see amazing discussions after reading it, with a book club or with high school students.

Wonder Struck

Is it a graphic novel? Is it an illustrated novel?
I'm not sure but I do know that it is an amazing book. Author Brian Selznick has invented his very own genre in WONDER STRUCK, the book he wrote after his awardwinning The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
Wonder Struck consists of two parallel stories: one in words, one in illustrations until the two become one towards the end of the book.
An incredible amount of detail and research makes this feel like a true story, and it fact it has many true elements, including the Panorama of New York City built for the 1964 World Fair.
The story has elements of mystery and suspense, the characters come to life and evoke emotions. A wonderful tale to share between a parent and children before going to sleep!

http://www.wonderstruckthebook.com/

Facebook Updates

Join me on Facebook for recent updates, including my presentation at the Vancouver International Writers festival, as well as an amazing animal video: penguin babies in Antartica.

https://www.facebook.com/margriet.ruurs?ref=profile

The importance of school libraries

If only politicians will read this:

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/891612-312/something_to_shout_about_new.html.csp#.TnpqanRnQ3x.facebook