"Off the Page: A Morning with Charles Todd" at the Hockessin Public Library

Saturday, February 26
11:00 am

New York Times best-selling authors
Delaware- and North Carolina-based, mother-son writing team

Caroline and Charles Todd (writing as Charles Todd) will appear in Hockessin to talk about their work and sign copies of their newest book, A Lonely Death.

A Lonely Death, released in January, is the 13th book in the Todds' Ian Rutledge mystery series. The novel explores the effects of bullying and how the results of constant harassment can lead to the ultimate revenge. The New York Times Book Review wrote, "The tragic sweep of Charles Todd's historical mysteries grows more expansive with each successive novel in his stunning series."

FREE
Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis.

Books by the authors will be available for sale.

Hockessin Public Library
1023 Valley Road
Hockessin, DE

(302) 239-5160

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Dollars for Scholars Used Book Sale!

March 3-6
Concord Mall
4737 Concord Pike
Brandywine Hundred ~ Wilmington

42nd annual AAUW Dollars for Scholars Used Book Sale
More than 50,000 used books, 1,000 vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, a "Wizard of Oz" collection and other items will be sold at the 42nd annual Dollars for Scholars Used Book Sale, sponsored by the Wilmington branch of the American Association of University Women.

Most items are 75 cents to $5, with collectibles priced up to $100*
Starting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, most categories go to half price (except for collectibles). All day Sunday, the branch will sell you a supermarket brown bag for $7, which you can fill from all categories (except for collectibles).

* Female students in Delaware are encouraged to apply for college scholarships that the sale funds.

For more information:
www.aauwwilmington.org/booksale.html
(302) 428-0939
aauwwilm@gmail.com

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Barnes & Noble: Educator Appreciation Week ~ January 17-25!

Educators Save 25% in Stores!

During Educator Appreciation Week, Pre-K to 12 educators, media specialists, and homeschoolers save 25% in Barnes & Noble bookstores on most books for personal and classroom use. Plus, you save 10% on most CDs and DVDs during Educator Appreciation Week.

It's Easy to Save
Simply present an Educator Discount Card* and a state issued Photo ID at any Barnes & Noble bookstore to enjoy the savings.

Offer good January 17 - 25

Educators Save 20% All Year Long!
With the Barnes & Noble Educator Discount Card,* educators always save 20% year round in Barnes & Noble bookstores on the publisher's list price for most books used in the classroom. So be sure to take advantage of your educator benefits every time you shop.

* To get a Barnes and Noble Educator Card you must bring a photo ID and proof that you are a homeschooler. Your letter from the state of an homeschooler affiliate card, like your BVHERO membership card should be acceptable.

website


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Scholastic's Biggest Customer Appreciation Warehouse Sale of the Season!

Save 25-80% off the cover price on books, software, gifts, and more at the Holiday Warehouse Sale.

Warehouse sales are exclusively for educators, homeschoolers, and Book Fair chairpeople / volunteers.

Register for a sale now!

Sign up to get your Fast-Cart Pass to bypass the sign-in lines and you'll receive a valuable coupon worth $10 off a purchase of $50 or more.

• Save 25% to 80% off the cover price on a huge selection of books, software, gifts, and more.

• Hundreds of items for $1 or less.

• Over 180 locations, there's a sale near you!

website

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Books & Teaching Resource Materials, Deep Discount Prices at Teacherwide.com

Great Saving!
Great Selections!
Up to 90% off!

Books & Teaching Resource Materials

Website

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Delaware Book Festival

Saturday, November 1, 2008
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The First State Heritage Park
Dover, Delaware

* Meet more than 30 nationally recognized authors and illustrators of fiction and non-fiction books for children, teens and adults !
* Come and enjoy author discussions and workshops!
* See favorite storybook characters and create fun crafts — and more!

Visit the Delaware Book Festival website for details on participating authors, planned workshops, and other special events.

2008 Delaware Book Festival
Division of Libraries
Delaware Center for the Book
43 South DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901


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Scholastic Warehouse Sale!

Scholastic Warehouse Clearance Sale!

CLEARANCE!

Exclusive Invitation
for Teachers, Librarians, Administrators, Book Fair Chairpeople,
Book Fair Volunteers, and Homeschooers!

50 to 80% off
Huge selection of items under $5
Last in stock,
Books for all ages, school supplies,
software, and more!
Thu., 01/10/2008 - Sat., 01/12/2008
Thursday 01/10/08 9am - 6pm
Friday 01/11/08 9am - 6pm
Saturday 01/12/08 9am - 3pm

Scholastic Book Fairs
240-B Lisa Dr
New Castle, DE 19720
(800) 477-3247

Website

Register online for your Fast-Cart Pass!
You’ll skip the sign-in lines and receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase! www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/warehouse

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The Second Annual Delaware Book Festival!

Bring the Family for an Enchanting, Informative, and Fun-Filled Day!

First State Heritage Park At Dover
Saturday, November 3, 2007
10AM — 4PM / Rain or Shine
All Events Free!

Meet more than 35 nationally recognized authors and illustrators!
Come and enjoy a wide range of workshops!
Delight in enchanting performers, storytellers and musicians!

Now in its second year, the Delaware Book Festival is an intriguing and wonderful event for readers, writers, artists and book lovers of all ages!

Website

Directions
Download area map
Download 12 page Program Guide

Nitty-Gritty Grammar: A Not-So-Serious Guide to Clear Communication

Wow!
I love this book!

Nitty-Gritty Grammar has all the essentials laid out in a clear, easy to understand, and entertaining format. Complete with illustrations using some of the best contemporary comic strips! I really must get my own copy and add it to my collection of necessary reference books and teaching essentials!

Check it out.

Web English Teacher

Here's another site that links to reading and discussion guides for children's literature. This site lists materials by the author's name: Web English Teacher

The resources offered on this site are not limited to reading discussion guides and not just to fiction. Web English Teacher is the brainchild of teacher Carla Beard who urges visitors to think of her website... "as the faculty library and faculty workroom on a global scale." Carla is based in Indiana and specializes in effective technology integration in education. Her site is truly a gem!

This is how Web English Teacher describes itself: "Web English Teacher presents the best of K-12 English / Language Arts teaching resources: lesson plans, WebQuests, videos, biography, e-texts, criticism, jokes, puzzles, and classroom activities. "

Site Map

Literature Links

I am always searching for good, free, lesson plans and book discussion materials tied to the books the kids are currently reading. During one of my recent searches I came across this web site: Literature Links

This is not the most up to date site, many of the links no longer function, but the site still contains plenty of good resources making it worth bookmarking.

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan

"Find your Joy..." so says Zedediah Applewhite to the troubled youth whose very last, last chance is surviving Creative Academy, a homeschool, and its very eccentric extended family of artists and odd balls and a girl named E.D..

Lesson plans for Surviving the Applewhites:
Harper Collins - pdf file
Author Bio
Web Quest

Synopsis from the Harpers Collins Website:

Surviving the Applewhites
by Stephanie S. Tolan


Jake Semple is a scary kid. Word has it that he burned down his old school and then was kicked out of every other school in his home state. Only weeks into September, the middle school in Traybridge, North Carolina, has thrown him out, too.

Now there's only one place left that will take him -- a home school run by the most outrageous, forgetful, chaotic, quarrelsome family you'll ever meet. Each and every Applewhite is an artist through and through -- except E.D., the smart, scruffy girl with a deep longing for order and predictability. E.D. and Jake, so nearly the same age, are quickly paired in the family's first experiment in "cooperative education."

The two clash immediately, of course. The only thing they have in common is the determination to survive the family's eccentricities.

In Stephanie S. Tolan's hilarious tale, a local production of The Sound of Music directed, stagecrafted, choreographed, and costumed by Apple-whites -- brings the family together and shows E.D. and Jake the value of the special gifts they've had all along.

2003 Newbery Honor Book

What's The Big Idea? Science and Math Unit Studies In a Box! Available at the Library!

Wow! I noticed these kits on display at the Brandywine Hundred Library!

What's The Big Idea is a pilot program with the Vermont Center of the Book's Mother Goose Programs and the Delaware Public Library System. This program was underwritten by the National Science Foundation in an effort to bring Science and Math into the Library for Young Children.

These mini unit studies are wonderfully suited for those preschool years, ages 3+ to 5. The kits are not suitable for children 3 and under because they contain small parts.

Several Libraries in Delaware now carry these kits. If your library doesn't you the kits may be requested through the library system. New Castle, Sussex and Kent Counties are participating. This is a national program so the kits may also be available in libraries outside Delaware, call your local library.



The Brandywine Hundred Library has several boxes of each of a dozen topics; Building, Counting 1 2 3, Collecting and Sorting, Construction, Exploring Weather, Growing, Making Sets, Part-Part Whole, Number Patterns, Shadows and Recognizing Different and Same.





Each kit contains a picture book, a mini manual and materials to explore. For example the Part-Part Whole Kit includes the book "How Do You Count a Dozen Ducks," a mini manual and 100 snap blocks. The Exploring Weather Kit contains a rain meter and a couple thermometers and The Recognizing Same and Different kit contains a collection of items to sort.

You can check these kits out, one kit at a time, for three weeks, just like you would check out a book. So, check it out!

What's The Big Idea website

Counting Down to Harry Potter VII

The long awaited day is finally here. At midnight the final book in the Harry Potter Series will be released and all will be revealed! Check your local Newspapers for listing of the various celebrations in honor of this event. Or perhaps you are hosting your own HP party?

If you pre-ordered your copy at the Barnes and Noble on Concord Pike and plan to attend the evening's festivities, you can stop by the store anytime beginning at 6:00 this evening to pick up your bracelet. The bracelets will determine the order in which you may pick up your copy once the midnight release time has passed. The festivities will begin at 9:00, kids are encouraged to come in costume.

Harry Potter Movie Opens Today!

Today is the first of the two big days long awaited by Harry Potter fans. The movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in now playing on the big screen! I called a couple theaters and no one admits to offering any special events for this special event, though I am sure if you go today there will be plenty of young witches and wizards decked out in full regalia and some fan generated hoop-de-la for this event.


The biggest event remains. The 7th and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is coming out in just over a week. Barnes and Noble, as well as most book stores throughout the country, will be celebrating with late night events before the books' midnight release. These events are a thrill, a big party with Harry Potter fans of all ages. Catch up on your sleep if you go. Once you pick up your copy of the book, in those wee hours of the morning, there is no resisting a good all night read!

The Nitty Gritty:
If you have pre-ordered the book and plan to attend the evenings' festivities at Barnes and Noble on Concord Pike in Wilmington, the party starts at 9pm. However, they will begin handing out wrist bands at 6pm for those planning on picking up their copies of the book that evening. They will not begin selling the book before midnight, customers will pick up their copies in order based upon the number on their wrist band. In other words, the sooner you pick up your wrist band, the sooner you will get your book and start that final journey in Harry Potter's world!


To keep the excitement going between now and the day the book comes out be sure to visit JK Rowling's Official Website, WB's Harry Potter Website, or do an internet search and visit one of the thousands of fan driven web sites and blogs, but beware of spoilers!

Creative Home Schooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families

I think this is just one of those books that belongs in every homeschooler's personal library. Or at least on the shelves of the local community libraries for homeschoolers to check out!

My copy is full of highlighted sections and notes in the margins, mostly expressing my gratitude and relief as I came across passage after passage reinforcing my own thoughts about how my kids learn and why the public schools, though well meaning, seemed to be failing them so miserably. More importantly, this book contains priceless information and guidance to help form an educational program and philosophy best suited for bringing out the strengths of each individual child...

This book was originally published under a different name. I believe it was "Homeschooling the Gifted Child." It is my understanding that the author and publisher changed the name because the "gifted" label really drew too narrow a circle of those who really could and would benefit from the wealth of information contained within. This sounds right to me. Whether you see your child as creative or gifted or not, there is so much here to aid, encourage and reassure any homeschooler with their own personal homeschooling journey.


Creative Home Schooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families by Lisa Rivero. Great Potential Press (April 2002)