Author Archives: Val

Book Review: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Val

I read this book as part of my young adult professional development reading group. The book follows a 17-year old girl named Charlie who has been through more in her young life than most of us experience in all of … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Wolves Don’t Knock by Cathy MacKenzie

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Val

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s theme is “monster,” to be interpreted in any way. Today’s post comes from Cathy MacKenzie, who is hard at work finishing her first (and only) novel, WOLVES DON’T KNOCK. The following is an … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Capsuling Hope

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Val

Last year, I read an article in National Geographic magazine about Emily Briere, an aerospace engineering student who started a student-run project to send a small time capsule to Mars. Her goal in orchestrating the project is for future generations … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Monster by Val Muller

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Val

This month’s theme is “monster,” to be interpreted in any way. This week’s story comes to us from Val Muller, YA author of The Scarred Letter and The Girl Who Flew Away, both discounted to $2.99 for the rest of … Continue reading →

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Writer Wednesday: My Reading Nook

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Val

Hearing about the terrific destruction of the recent hurricanes has made me think more carefully about my house. What I took for granted only a few weeks ago now seems palatial. I recently read a post by Nick Maley, the … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Swimming in Kindness

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Val

As the end of summer draws near, I wanted to share one of my favorite news stories from the season. It seems that hatred is so contagious, and the media seems to ignite the worst feelings we have. For several … Continue reading →

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Writer Wednesday: Fall for Reading

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Val

One of my favorite things about autumn is the “back to school” feel. Something about cooler temperatures, sweatshirts, blankets, and warm beverages makes me think of cuddling up and reading. In fact, one of my friends recently posted on Facebook, … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Flash Fiction–Toddler’s New Friend

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Val

This post comes when some parents will be glad that school is back in session–and teachers will remember just how hard their jobs are. Earlier this year, I attended a writing workshop, and we were asked to respond to several … Continue reading →

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Flash Fiction: Suffice by Dorothy Colinco

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Val

Welcome to The Spot Writers. September’s prompt:  Write about a character whose one ability is to amplify the best traits in others. Who would they hang around? Who would they choose to avoid? Suffice by Dorothy Colinco It’s hard to love … Continue reading →

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Fantastic Friday: Shakespearean Toddler Humor

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Val

Since I teach Shakespeare as part of the AP Literature curriculum, I’ve read several plays multiple times, and often lines pop into my head at relevant—or irreverent—times. Recently, Shakespeare and Toddler has been merging in my brain, so I thought … Continue reading →

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