Authors are the best. I emailed Nic Stone after NCTE to tell her how much my own kid loved Dear Martin and Dear Justyce and that he read them in record (for him) time. Also told her he was so mad he’d have to wait til March for the new one. SO SHE SENT HIM AN ARC! The best. He’s going to be stoked!

One of the random ways I’ve connected with students this year is through my clothes. Several kids (mostly girls) give me a “fit check” and troll me on what I’m wearing or tell me the outfit is acceptable.

It’s pretty hilarious, but today I had a realization…am I Ms. Geist??

So glad I got to end my #NCTE24 with this incredible panel about novels in verse! Stories do indeed help and heal us. 💙💚 @mrschureads.bsky.social @maerespicio.bsky.social @katemessner.bsky.social

We did it! We spoke about poop at length at a national conference. 😂 So much fun sharing about using “gross” topics in the classroom to connect to kids’ humanity, raise engagement, and give kids agency! #NCTE24 @chthompson.bsky.social @kassiaowedekind.bsky.social

And! This was such a fun announcement for Orbis Pictus! If this sounds like a book you’d want to read, too, come hear me, @kassiaowedekind.bsky.social, and @chthompson.bsky.social talk more about poop books at 4:15 in Room 252A!

And, so special that I got to announce @andreaywang.bsky.social ‘s Summer at Squee as an honor book! Loved, loved this one and am so happy for you, Andrea!! #NCTE24

Hooray to the winner of this year’s Charlotte Huck award! The Last Stand is beautiful and so necessary. Read it! Share it!! #NCTE24

So thrilled to hear from Sarah Everett, winner of the 2024 Charlotte Huck Award! If you haven’t yet read it, you NEED to!

Love love love reconnecting with favorite authors at #NCTE2024!

@soontornvat.bsky.social is the best! 💙💙

So full of hope after this session on intergenerational resistance. Glad to be reminded that in this time of grief and turmoil and often helplessness, we can look to our elders and ancestors and remember that “they did a lot more with a lot less.”
@maggietokudahall.bsky.social

Ready to do more.

Here all day…wish us luck!

Taught for most of the day, flew to Boston, got picked up by my bestie, stuffed our faces, and I’m now officially ready for #NCTE24! So excited to be in community in person! 💚

I am passionate about matching readers to books, especially when I can help students see themselves in stories. #RepresentationMatters
I believe centering choice & authenticity in teaching & learning goes a long way for all ages.
Here are snippets of two pieces I’ve written about these topics! 4/5

Here’s are two recent favorites! Everything We Never Had was really healing a thoughtful way of bringing the pandemic into a story about generational trauma. The White Guy Dies first felt redemptive and was so well done. I don’t even like horror (see above 😂), but loved this!

Hiiiiiiiiii 💙
Leaving the dumpster fire and hoping to connect with people here.
If you’re heading to #NCTE24, I hope to I see you there! I’ll be presenting on Saturday about all things 💩!