12 Days of #Bookmas 2019!
Okay, so it's been a couple of days since my official "1st Day of #Bookmas." So, for the 2nd - 6th days of my "12 Days of #Bookmas," (or...
- Dec 11, 2019
- 2 min
Friday Five: Gift Books: YA Lit Edition
These are some of my favorite 2019 titles for those in grades 6-12 (and Adults!). Some work for younger, some for older, so watch the...
- Dec 10, 2019
- 2 min
Friday Five: Gift Books: Elementary edition
Today I am highlighting some of my favorite 2019 titles that would make good gifts for the elementary (PreK - 4th grade+) kiddos on your...
- Dec 10, 2019
- 1 min
Check It Out: November/December Newsletter, Holiday edition
October marks the official "Scary Stories" season in the library (or classroom). And while readers of all ages always seem to ask for a...
- Dec 10, 2019
- 2 min
Friday Five: Gift Books: Hawaii Life Edition
December marks the holiday vacation season also. If you cannot come visit me in Hawaii for the holidays, I'm highlighting some books...
- Dec 9, 2019
- 1 min
Books Make Great Gifts!
On the 1st Day of #Bookmas, Mrs. Yusko gave to me... a great list of gift books for all ages (PreK- Adults). Before we get to the list,...
- Dec 6, 2019
- 1 min
Friday Five: Gift Books: Holiday Reads Edition
The holiday gift-giving season is upon us, and the countdown to winter break is... So. Very. Close. For this week's Friday Five, I am...
- Nov 11, 2019
- 1 min
3 on a Theme: War Stories by Walter Dean Myers
Highlighting books about soldiers in honor of Veterans Day wouldn't be complete without these three by one of the greats, Walter Dean...
- Nov 10, 2019
- 5 min
Top 10: Veterans Day
Bumping the Tuesday Top 10 up a couple of days this week in order to honor our Veterans by highlighting some of my favorite YA (and...
- Oct 21, 2019
- 1 min
Check It Out: October Newsletter, Scary Stories edition
October marks the official "Scary Stories" season in the library (or classroom). And while readers of all ages always seem to ask for a...
- Sep 27, 2019
- 1 min
Friday Five: 5 Star Books, episode 2
I should actually be preparing for the seminars that I'm presenting in a couple of weeks, but it's been such a great week of reading that...
- Sep 20, 2019
- 1 min
Feed n Read FUN! Back to School edition
This week was our first #FeednRead of the new school year! Even though students have been in school for a month, we kicked off all the...
- Sep 13, 2019
- 1 min
Friday Five: 5 Star Books
It had the potential for being a crazy week... Full moon... Friday the 13th... not just in the same week but on the SAME DAY! I was...
- Sep 12, 2019
- 1 min
Top 10 Tuesday: Never Forget
Wednesday is September 11th. Before I talk about books, I want to highlight an essay by one of my favorite authors, Meg Cabot. Every year...
- Aug 30, 2019
- 1 min
Check It Out: Back to School Newsletter
It's the Back to School edition of the newsletter! Check out all the things you'll need to get your students excited for a great year of...
- Aug 30, 2019
- 2 min
Hitting the Books: Back to School Reading!
I hope that your summer was restful, relaxing, rejuvenating... everything that you needed it to be. And that you read a good book or two,...
- Aug 29, 2019
- 1 min
Book to Movie NEWS!
So many books being made into movies! I'm not even sure what is the most exciting... Sarah Dessen coming to Netflix! I'm so very excited...
- Aug 6, 2019
- 3 min
Summer Reading, Round #3
It's the middle of summer and typically a time when people (myself included) hit a summer reading slump. Maybe you're still in the queue...
- Jul 24, 2019
- 3 min
Summer Reading, Round #2
WOW! Time sure flies when it’s summer and you’re reading good books. If you missed the first 12 books I recommended, click here. Books...
- Jul 16, 2019
- 1 min
Top 10: Fly Me To The Moon
This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In honor of that momentous occasion, here are my Top 10 books...
- Jul 12, 2019
- 2 min
Summer Reading, Round #1
Hard to believe, but we are 20% of the way through #60DaysofSummerReading. Time flies when you're reading books. I thought I would pause...
- Jul 11, 2019
- 1 min
3 on a Theme: Venus & Serena Williams
Today's #3onatheme (+1) honors the Williams sisters, Wimbledon, and women in sports! Game Changers by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E....
- Jul 10, 2019
- 1 min
It’s Wednesday, Here’s What I’m Reading
Today I found two new FAVORITES for the newest readers. Bruce's Big Fun Day by Ryan T. Higgins: Bruce is having a day of "fun" is this...
- Jul 9, 2019
- 1 min
Top 10 Tuesday: Can’t Get Enough World Cup
If you're already missing World Cup action, build your stack this week with great soccer books for kids, tweens, and teens... including...
- Jun 28, 2019
- 1 min
3 on a Theme: Beatles
Every time I see a preview for the movie "Yesterday," all I can think about is how it seems VERY similar to the story in a book I used to...
- Jun 16, 2019
- 1 min
Top 10 "Tuesday": Father Figures in Books!
Happy Father's Day! #buildyourstack this weekend with my favorite dads, granddads, and father figures from books. Real Life: Devoted by...
- Jun 11, 2019
- 2 min
QuiverVision is MAGIC
One of my favorite apps right now is QuiverVision, a 3D augmented reality coloring app (available in IOS, Android, and Amazon). It...
- Jun 9, 2019
- 1 min
Check It Out: June Newsletter
June means the end of the school year and the start to SUMMER READING! Check out the June edition of my newsletter for all things to...
- Jun 8, 2019
- 1 min
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Retirement...
Four years ago I moved to Hawaii to start the "Life is Too Short" chapter of my life. It was time to live the dream. And that dream...
- Jun 7, 2019
- 1 min
3 on a Theme: D-Day
Three on a Theme (+1) today in honor of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Pair these excellent D-Day nonfiction titles by Deborah Hopkinson...
- Jun 5, 2019
- 1 min
Top 10 Tuesday
Looking to #buildyourstack or #readtherainbow this month? Here’s my Top 12 picks to help you do both! All of these are #mustreads for...
- May 31, 2019
- 1 min
Friday Five: Summer of SYNC Audiobooks
We are about 1/3 of the way through SYNC's Summer of Audiobooks. This is year #10 of the service that provides FREE AUDIOBOOKS (to...
- May 28, 2019
- 2 min
2019 Summer Reading Book Lists! Are You Summer Reading Ready? Part 2
My seniors graduated over the weekend, and my last middle school class was YESTERDAY! Hooray, I officially survived my 20th year in...
- May 27, 2019
- 3 min
Reflections on Senior Year
Or, what happens in 6th period stays in 6th period. So, my first ever class of seniors have graduated and I poured my heart and soul (and...
- May 24, 2019
- 4 min
Choice: It's Not Just For Reading
Besides talking about books at my #yalit seminars, I also share real-world examples of student success stories, classroom activities, and...
- May 24, 2019
- 1 min
Feed n Read: Getting Summer Reading Ready
Stories and smiles and books, oh my! Our last #FeednRead of the school year was a success and a chance for many students to get SUMMER...
- May 22, 2019
- 4 min
It's Wednesday, Here's What My Seniors Want You to Read: Top Books for High School 2019
Monday was the last day with my senior Contemporary Lit class. While I'm still trying to unpack what an amazing experience it was to...
- May 21, 2019
- 2 min
Are You Summer Reading Ready? Part 1...
It's the madness that is May: you survived testing season only to be rewarded with too many things to do before summer vacation and not...
- May 17, 2019
- 1 min
Mrs. Yusko Reads: May Newsletter
Check out the latest edition of the newsletter to get you in the mood for SUMMER and Summer Reading! New books with a summer vibe, how...
- May 7, 2019
- 1 min
Teacher Appreciation Sale!
In honor of Teacher Appreciation AND the fact that I just finished my LAST #yalit seminar of the 2018-2019 school year, I've lowered the...
- May 1, 2019
- 2 min
Team Challenge Tuesday: Digital BREAKOUT
I was scrolling through my camera roll last week and I came across this picture from the first part of April. My middle school classes...
- Apr 27, 2019
- 1 min
April Webinar
Looking for the Best Books to add to your classroom, library, or even your personal #TBR list? The April Webinar is live! Filled with...
- Apr 27, 2019
- 1 min
Friday Five: TED Talks
Each week in my high school Contemporary Lit class this semester we have "TED Talk Tuesday." It is a chance for my seniors to hear ideas...
- Apr 25, 2019
- 1 min
Mrs. Yusko Reads: April Newsletter
Check out the latest edition of the newsletter for all things celebrating WORDS! Poetry, writing, authors, and language are highlighted...
- Apr 25, 2019
- 2 min
It’s Wednesday, Here’s What We’re Reading!
If you follow me on social media, or here on the blog, you know that I'm currently teaching a Contemporary Lit class of high school...
- Apr 23, 2019
- 1 min
Maker Monday: Easter Edition
This week’s #makerspace highlight was Easter Egg themed. Here are some of our successes! I challenged students to choose one of the...
- Apr 17, 2019
- 2 min
Feed n Read FUN!
Last night was another successful Feed n Read! And I think this photo really captures the spirit of the evening. If you can’t tell from...
- Apr 13, 2019
- 1 min
Favorite Feedback Friday
I’m gearing up for my last round of #yalit seminars this school year. The end of April may possibly find me coming to a city near you. As...
- Apr 10, 2019
- 1 min
It’s Wednesday, Here’s What I’m Reading
In 2017, I included Meagan Spooner’s “Hunted” in my #yalit Best New Books seminar. A darkly atmospheric, Russian firebird-inspired...
- Mar 28, 2019
- 1 min
It’s Wednesday, Here’s What I'm Reading
If you saw last week’s Friday Five, you know that I’m currently reading an advance copy of “Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus” by...