Book Review: Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata

While my son was in the library, I decided to pick up a graphic novel from the middle grade/young adult section to read over while he ignored storytime and played with all the hands-on activities in the children’s section. This story caught my eye because of its multicultural elements: it …

When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka

When I was in college, I heard an author speak. I did little research about her before I went to hear her read a passage from her book, When the Emperor was Divine, but I do remember a poignant passage she read about a woman, a shovel, and a dog. …

Book review: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

I picked up this book in a classroom one day while substituting for another class, and it was a super easy and fast read, but with complex themes that would be good for a reader in the coming-of-age years, someone confronting the drive to be independent of parents and their …

Flash fiction: Served by Val Muller

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is to write a story that involves worms. Today’s tale comes to us from Val Muller, author of the Corgi Capers mystery series. Served By Val Muller It was June 2—exactly two days of school left after today. Marsha had been a …

Flash fiction: Currents by Val Muller

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month’s prompt is, “Let’s write a story using the following words: boat – flowers – snow.” Today’s story comes to us from Val Muller, author of the Corgi Capers kidlit mystery series. Currents Val Muller The sun ticked past noon above, but it was …