She's The Hero!

It started last summer.  I've always read book after book during June, July and August but the summer of 2012 was different.  I was participating in the #bookaday challenge.  I will be this year too; Donalyn Miller wrote about it yesterday on the Nerdy Book Club blog.

I was reading so fast I could not keep up with posts about them on my blog.  Then too, there were a handful of books so powerful I could not begin to express in words their meaning for me or for others readers. They are still in a small stack waiting for me to have the courage to write about them.  One of those books was by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, One for the Murphys. 

Summer ended, school started and the year was off and running.  In the middle of January Lynda Mullaly Hunt posted this tweet on Twitter.  It was a game changer for my students, their teachers and me.

Author's Confession Post--Huge giveaway for teachers and librarians. ARC, Skype, signed copies of One for the Murphyslyndamullalyhunt.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/ful…
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

It was followed by a series of tweets back and forth between Lynda and I.  Again, I can't stress enough the connections made on this social network between authors and illustrators and the people who wish to bring their work to readers.  This ability to converse with writers and artists still amazes me.

@loveofxena Thanks so much for the RT, Margie! Happy, happy Saturday :-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

@loveofxena & what a lovely, sweet comment it is--thanks so much, Margie. Do wish I could actually join you for hot chocolate. Some day!:-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

@loveofxenaIndeed It would.
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

When the deadline for the offer arrived, Lynda sent out this tweet to her followers.  Readers of her book already knew about her huge heart.  What she did for so many nearly leaves me speechless.

I just couldn't choose ONE!! The giveaway winners are:lyndamullalyhunt.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/ful…
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 24, 2013

When her original tweet was followed by this tweet, I literally started dancing.  I could not believe it.  I called one of our fifth grade teachers immediately.  We were like two kids laughing and talking a mile a minute; so excited by this opportunity for our students.

@lynmullalyhunt What!?Walking the dog, came in and saw this.Scurrying to the web site.
— Margie Myers-Culver (@Loveofxena) January 24, 2013

A literacy grant was already in place allowing for the purchase of a paperback copy of One for the Murphys for every fifth grade student.  In the months following the "win" all three classes read the book; the conversations between the students and their teachers were some of the best.  I reread the book, liking it even more, and wrote a review linked here.

Lynda and I continued to stay in touch via email planning for the Skype visit.  As the library filled with students eager to meet the author of a book they had shared together, anticipation was high.  I don't think any of us were prepared for how truly special April 25, 2013 would be.  As soon as I could I sent out a tweet, thanking Lynda Mullaly Hunt for one of the best author visits I have ever experienced.

@loveofxena Thanks, Margie--very sweet. :-)I loved your class--lot of enthusiasm and personality. Loved their reactions and questions. :-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) April 25, 2013

@loveofxenaWell, that foundation--enthusiasm-was laid before I met them #kudostoyouI like this mutual admiration society we have going
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) April 25, 2013

@loveofxena Well, it isn't every day you get perfect! :-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) April 25, 2013

I wish I could have recorded the event.  The personal level of information Lynda included in her presentation, how the story (One for the Murphys) came to her and how she developed it, her use of photographs and the possible covers for the book, her ease in speaking with the students and answering their questions thoughtfully and going to get her dog for part of the Skype was "one for the books".  It wasn't until I received an envelope filled with student letters two weeks ago that the full impact of her Skype was abundantly reinforced.  Here are some of the comments.

• I really liked the Skype. I had no idea you could not pick your own cover for the book.  The best part was when people read their questions and she really thought.
• I liked the Skype visit for One for the Murphys because we got to ask some really good questions about the book like for example "Why did you pick a girl to be in foster care instead of a boy?"
• My favorite part was when she told us about her next book and how it's about Toni's point of view.
• I really liked when she told us about her childhood.
• It was so cool to learn how she came up with the book. 
• What I really liked about the book was that it was all kinds of mixed emotions, like, happy, sad and tears of joy. 
• I love how she plays with words because it just makes you think harder about things.
• My favorite part was when she showed pictures of her house.
  

I know sixty plus people who will never forget April 25, 2013.  I know sixty plus people who will never forget reading One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  These are the moments to treasure; an author connecting with her readers.  You are our hero, Lynda and we thank you with all our hearts.

All For Love...

Within days of Superstorm Sandy striking the Atlantic coast on October 29, 2012, in what has gone down in the history books as the lowest barometric reading ever recorded for an Atlantic storm making landfall north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, super author Kate Messner put into action an enormous relief effort, Kid-Lit Cares.  She gathered in authors, illustrators, agents and editors, all part of the children's literature community, to create an online talent auction.  In the first round of the auction 41 people offered their very best.

An article about the auction quickly appeared in the School Library Journal on November 2, 2012. For the second round super author, Joanne Levy headed up the organization of another 81 auction possibilities.   Follow up articles were posted in Publishers Weekly on November 15, 2012 and December 4, 2012.  All total more than $60,000. was donated to the American Red Cross as a result of Kid-Lit Cares.

Word spread like wildfire on Twitter about Kid-Lit Cares.  Bidding was fast, furious and tricky.  What these people were offering to the highest bidder was nothing short of amazing.  When I saw #11, Skype Visit with Author Ame Dyckman,  listed in the second round I was determined to win.  This past summer I had read and reviewed her debut title, Boy + Bot, loving this delightful story of friendship.  The winning bid included:  a signed copy of Boy + Bot, a classroom Skype visit, Boy + Bot swag for the students and the students could choose what color Ame's hair would be on the day of the Skype.

The good news is I won!  The even better news arrived when I received my first email from Ame Dyckman.  I had also won a signed copy of Boy + Bot for myself.

The swag included bookmarks and stickers for the entire student body; plus bracelets for the Skype class.  It still gets better.  Ame signed a copy of her book for each of the four first grade classrooms, autographed with the teachers' names,  Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Mailloux, Mrs. Sterrett and Mrs. Wood.  Her graciousness continued when she did a separate Skype visit with each of them.

Over the course of several email exchanges plus about twenty DM messages on Twitter we finally had our four dates: February 21st, 22nd, 26th and 28th.  Thankfully we are in the same time zone. (I tend to have trouble with time zones.)  We were all so excited to see Ame with blue hair; the top vote of the students. (When I say blue hair, I mean electric blue.)

During those four Skype visits I have never been happier to see students so actively engaged with an author; their excitement was only exceeded by her sheer joy and enthusiasm.  From the second the connection was made until the final goodbyes were spoken, Ame Dyckman filled the room with conversation and information about her work and herself.  No question went unanswered.

Students discovered and learned:

• how many books she has written
• the titles of her new books
• how many books Dan Yaccarino, her illustrator for Boy + Bot, has illustrated
• how long it took her to write Boy + Bot
• how many revisions were done on Boy + Bot
• why she choose a robot to be boy's friend
• who Alaric is on the dedication page
• her daughter's name and age
• her favorite cereal
• her favorite toy
• what some of her robots look like
• her cats' names plus seeing them on screen
• the inside scoop on Willie and XL
• how she carries her works in progress in her pocket 
• where she writes
• her favorite picture books and 
• how important reading and writing are to her; encouraging the students to do both.

Ame read Boy + Bot to the students giving it her own special voice and emphasis drawing attention to those part she wanted them to notice in the writing and illustrations.  As she read she would pause, inviting comments from the students.  She spoke about how Boy and Bot were different on the outside but cared for one another the same on the inside.  

When I've returned to the classes since the Skype visits the students' beam when speaking about meeting Ame Dyckman; wanting to chat with her again.  After the first Skype the word was out about Ame; the principal and several parents appeared at the second and subsequent Skypes.  When someone as extraordinary as Ame Dyckman shares their time with you, it's the very best kind of day.

We all feel so very fortunate to have been able to have this delightful lady come into our classrooms.  There is never a dull or unhappy moment in her presence.  We all thank her from the bottom (and top and everything in between) of our hearts.


Please follow some or all of the embedded links to learn more about all these awesome authors and illustrators and the Kid-Lit Cares benefit.

The Force Was With Us!

For nearly ninety weeks the virtues of Twitter have been extolled through the Saturday posts titled Twitterville Talk on this blog.  Twitter is a source of collective wisdom, inspiration, shared experiences and unconditional support.  Of the educators, publishing people, authors and illustrators who are followers and who I am following, there is a spirit of incredible generosity.

This was never more apparent than this past Monday morning when I saw this tweet.

Free SCHOOL Skype Visit Tomorrow? Due to a mix-up there is a free Skype slot open tomorrow at 10:30 AM EASTERN time. Let me know ASAP!
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) February 4, 2013

After a moment of stunned disbelief the following exchange took place.

@loveofxena Not yet...
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) February 4, 2013

I quickly contacted one of my fifth grade teacher colleagues. Before I knew it, a dream was on it's way to becoming a reality.

@loveofxena Excellent! Send me an email and I'll send you the details... tom (at) origamiyoda.com
— OrigamiYoda (@OrigamiYoda) February 4, 2013

As a fan of Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset, Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O'Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U. S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book and The Secret of the Fortune Wookie: An Origami Yoda Book I was beside myself with joyful anticipation.  There is a reason authors and illustrators are called "rock stars" by educators. We've seen first hand the effect their books have on our readers.

As another sign of the huge hearts of many authors and illustrators, Tom Angleberger agreed to Skype with the entire fifth grade rather than a single class.  All three classes filed into the library and sat waiting for the connection.  What Angleberger did not know was all the students were wearing fake mustaches (so were one of the teachers and myself).

When he looked out at his audience and saw a sea of black paper mustaches he immediately tried to conjure up one for himself.  At this point the energy in the room was high and full of happiness.  Tom Angleberger then produced a parade of origami Star Wars figures to the delight of our students.

He held up examples of his books that had been published in other countries asking students which of them they had read.  (He tricked us once, which we laughed about along with him.) He then spoke about the process behind the writing of Fake Moustache and The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.  Our students hung on his every word.

Inviting students to come forward and ask him questions revealed the true spirit of Tom Angleberger.  Through his humorous and truthful responses he put every single student at ease.  For the moments they were speaking with him, he focused on them completely.  It was heartwarming to watch this best-selling author speaking to our students as if they were good friends.  As an educator these are the times you treasure.

Due to technical difficulties we were unable to complete the visit with each student making Origami Yoda but Tom Angleberger did message us with the final words of May the Force Be with You.  Trust me Tom, it was.  It was you.


Here are some of the comments from students about the Skype visit.

I thought the Skype visit with Mr. Angleberger was extraordinary.  I really loved when I got to go up there to the camera and he called me Larry.  Then some other kids went up there and he called them Larry too.  It was hilarious.   Maggie

First I love your BOOK and I would read it a million times.  Caeden

I think that the Skype visit with Tom Angleberger was very exciting because we got to ask him questions about his latest books and new upcoming books he's planning to write.  His books are great because they are fun, laugh-out-loud kind of books.  The Skype visit with Tom Angleberger was a BLAST!  Abby P

I am going to try to start the Fake Mustache.  That was one of my favorite video chats we have done this year and will probably always be.  Abby S

I'm guessing he really liked when we all had mustaches.  Catherine

I liked when he showed us the origami Star Wars figures.  Robin

It was great!  Tom Angleberger is a really nice person and has a good imagination.  Logan

This was a morning which will remain in the memories of our students, their teachers and myself for a long time.  Tom Angleberger is as full of life, fun, and a keen sense of adventure as his books.  We all are grateful for his generosity.  The link embedded in his name above takes you to his website which, not surprisingly, is a world of wonder for his fans.

Enjoy the book trailers and origami instructions below.