Author Archives: Jennifer Sniadecki

#WhyIWrite — I answered questions, made lists, reflected on my reading, and held conversations.  I wrote that chapter about my teaching life called “Shut Up!” (Thank you in advance @lester_laminack.) I write to learn. I write to wonder. I write to celebrate. #NationalDayonWriting

After last week’s amazing reunion with Kwame Alexander, I re-read Swing, since I have my signed copy in my hands now. This reading was “way” better than the Net Galley version. (No offense to Net Galley, but I feel that the digital copy did not support the intended view and flow of the lines ofContinue reading “IMWAYR: A Big Week of Reading”

Hey, Kiddo‘s subtitle is “How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction.” Jarrett’s brave memoir is a graphic novel commentary for our times. Jarrett is brave to share his story in this memoir, and I’m so glad he did. We book lovers say, “Books save lives,” and I’m sure thisContinue reading “Book Review: Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka”

“Rick Riordan Presents” title, Aru Shah and the End of Time, by Roshani Chokshi is my new pick this week. It came to me highly recommended, so I moved it to the top of my “To Be Read” list. Here’s what the back cover has to say: “Percy Jackson meets Sailor Moon in this inauguralContinue reading “IMWAYR: Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi”

I was not as much of a dedicated reader as I wanted to be last week. Migraine headache vs. reading brain = knocked out. To overcome, I spent the weekend with a light a funny read and a dark, yet important graphic novel. Santa Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins is the third in the MotherContinue reading “IMWAYR: Light/Dark Reads and an Anniversary”

Consider this colorful picture book for your first days of school…for all ages and grades. Yellows, Blues, and Reds live peacefully in a city, until one day, a Red declares, “Reds are the best!” The whole community is thrust into chaos — so much so that the three color groups must live apart, forming segregatedContinue reading “Book Review: Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung”

To kick off the school year and prepare for Banned Books Week (September 23 – 29), I’m revisiting these two 2017 fabulous titles: Our Story Begins, edited by Elissa Brent Weissman I sat with Elissa at dinner during Nerd Camp Michigan this summer, and she is amazing! She put together stories and snippets of workContinue reading “IMWAYR: We Have Stories! Let Them Read!”

In another amazing collaboration from Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess, we follow Noah and his best friend, Walt through the ups and downs of high school life. Noah and Walt are NOT on the school baseball team, but Walt hits the batting cages with fierce commitment and passion, channeling his love of jazz toContinue reading “Book Review: SWING by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess”

One of the most important aspects of my job as a librarian is to spread the book love! I want students to know what books are out there, and I want to supply them with those books. There are so many choices! This week I’m excited about… SWING by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand HessContinue reading “IMWAYR: Choices!”

I’m moving to a new school, and I couldn’t be happier with my fine arts academy middle school staff. I am lucky to be a part of the arts integration movement, and the school library will be the best place to support our curriculum. Here are ten picture books I will share with my newContinue reading “#PB10for10: Picture Books I’m Sharing with My New Staff”