Resource for Educators: Rockin’ Research
If you’d like your students to get a glimpse of a professional nonfiction author’s research process in action, check out the new Rockin’ Research video on my website. It breaks down the kinds of sources I used and describes how people I know and places I’ve gone inspired me along the way.
Eyewitness Books for High School Readers by Margaret Altman
During a recent conversation on Facebook, school librarian Margaret Altman shared some of the great ways she uses the Eyewitness Books in her high school collection. I was so impressed, that I asked her if she’d write a blog post with some of her ideas, and I’m delighted that she agreed. I’m a big fan of the […]
Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep
There are SO many reasons, I love writing nonfiction for children. One of them is my colleagues. I’m so grateful to be part of such a vibrant, supportive community. Many people warned me that overseeing an anthology featuring fifty award-winning writers with busy schedules was an act of insanity. But despite their many priorities, my colleagues […]
Getting Ready to Research, Part 6
Since the 2019-2020 school year marks the 10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays, I’m resurrecting and updating old posts that sparked a lot of conversation or that still have a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay is the final post in a six-part series that originally appeared in spring 2016. […]
Getting Ready to Research, Part 5
Since the 2019-2020 school year marks the 10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays, I’m resurrecting and updating old posts that sparked a lot of conversation or that still have a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay is number 5 of a six-part series that originally appeared in spring 2016. Because […]
Getting Ready to Research, Part 4
Since the 2019-2020 school year marks the 10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays, I’m resurrecting and updating old posts that sparked a lot of conversation or that still have a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay is number 4 in a six-part series that originally appeared in spring 2016. Because […]
Getting Ready to Research, Part 3
Since the 2019-2020 school year marks the 10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays, I’m resurrecting and updating old posts that sparked a lot of conversation or that still have a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay is number 3 in a six-part series that originally appeared in spring 2016. Because […]
Getting Ready to Research, Part 2
Since the 2019-2020 school year marks the 10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays, I’m resurrecting and updating old posts that sparked a lot of conversation or that still have a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay is the second post in a six-part series that originally appeared in spring 2016. […]
Getting Ready for Research, Part 1
Since the 2019-2020 school year marks the 10th Anniversary of this blog, on Fridays, I’m resurrecting and updating old posts that sparked a lot of conversation or that still have a lot to offer people teaching or writing nonfiction. Today’s essay is the first in a six-part series that originally appeared in spring 2016. Here […]
The Dangers of “Personal Knowledge”
When I do school visits, I often ask students where they get reliable information when they’re writing nonfiction. What kinds of sources do they use? Of course, they mention books and using the Internet cautiously. Some mention encyclopedic databases, such as PebbleGo. With a little bit of prodding, they’ll often realize that firsthand observations can […]