Hooked

 Hooked brings to life the hook-ups, break-ups and make-ups of 20-somethings over the course of a Columbus Day weekend in a cramped, New York City apartment.  Written by Danielle Burby, this production was staged by The Bare Bones Theater Company, in Northport.  The intimate venue really helped me feel like I was right there in the apartment as this group of friends and lovers navigated the rocky road to romance.

Ms. Burby, the playwright was in the audience, and I couldn't help wondering what it must feel like to see your  own words performed live on the stage!  (I'll have to ask her client, Mimi Cross, the fellow writer who gave me the tickets. Thanks, Mimi!)

Tonight is the last performance of this production, so if you are free, I highly recommend that you go see it.

Happy reading,

Christine

My Article Out Now - Learning Disabilities

The May, 2014 issue of Scholastic Parent and Child is out now, and in it is my piece on learning disabilities.  While researching this piece, I learned many interesting things from the National Center for Learning Disabilities and Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, Ed.D.

Happy reading,
Christine

Middle School Math Materials for Common Core

Here is a link to PBS resources for Common Core math in the middle school.  Enjoy!

Happy reading and computing,
Christine

Book Bliss

I just finished reading the aptly-named Bliss, by Kathryn Littlewood.   This middle-grade novel combines magic, mystery, muffins and a motorcycle-riding aunt.  Rose, the twelve year-old protagonist discovers that her family owns a magical cook book.  When her parents are called out of town, Rose and her siblings cook up some chaos.  Hungry for more, I just ordered the sequel, A Dash of Magic.

Happy reading and baking,
Christine

Joy Cowley - Writing Workshop

Loved the book, Mrs. Wishy-Washy?  Want to write for children, but not sure where to start?  Join Joy Cowley and Suzanne Bloom for a week long  writing workshop offered by The Highlights Foundation.  Click here for details, and maybe someday I'll be reviewing your book on this blog, or in a national magazine!

Happy reading and writing,
Christine

What I'm Reading Now

I just finished reading Still Life with Bread Crumbs, by Anna Quindlen.  If you've read my blog before, you know that I love the way Anna Quindlen writes.  I found this book a little more difficult to get into than some of her others, but about halfway through, I was really hooked.  Of course, what I really loved was the dedication:
                     "For all the teachers who helped make my work possible- and for my favorite teacher, 
                      Theresa Quindlen"

How can you not like someone who appreciates teachers and gets the fact that the teaching profession makes all other professions possible?

Happy reading,
Christine

My Article Out Now!

No Foolin' - the April issue of Scholastic Parent and Child is out now.  Here is a sneak peek at my "Field Guide to Class Clowns."

Happy reading,
Christine