Blog
Audio review: Actress captures essence of woman and autistic child at center of novel
October 9, 2017(Published in the News and Observer, October 1, 2017) Audios provide an amazing escape from unrelenting sad-bad news, especially those with wit and humor. There’s plenty of both in Julia Claiborne Johnson’s “Be Frank With Me” (book from HarperCollins; audio read more »
The characters in these series – for ages 3 to 14 – are worth revisiting
October 2, 2017(published in the News and Observer, August 20, 2017) I avoid series that have numbers as their most distinguishing feature. I adore those in which characters grow, plots expand or I can return to locales I love. In Kes and Claire read more »
Meet ‘Nyxia,’ the debut novel from a former Wake teacher–He’s signing tonight!
September 27, 2017Interview Published in the Raleigh News and Observer September 10, 2017 You won’t find Apex author Scott Reintgen in a high school classroom this year. Instead, he’s working hard to finish his trilogy of young adult novels that read more »
Here’s a bookbag full of stories to help your new learner
September 26, 2017published by the News and Observer SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 9:12 AM It seems my granddaughter was born just the other day, and now she’s in kindergarten. I sent books to ready her (and her parents) for this transition. My granddaughter read more »
STEAM Workshop
September 24, 2017I fell in love with a picture book this week–Dave Egger’s Her Right Foot (Chronicle, ages 8 and up). I can’t wait for my STEAM class to begin on Friday so I can share it!! Eggers begins by read more »
Actor Rory Kinnear and author Ian McEwan a perfect pairing in ‘Nutshell’
August 1, 2017published in the Raleigh News and Observer July, 28, 2017 I don’t know if I’ve ever been so aware of a narrator’s importance than when listening to Rory Kinnear’s reading of Ian McEwan’s “Nutshell” (book from Doubleday, audio from Recorded read more »
These books can help you have difficult conversations with your kids
July 26, 2017Published in the Raleigh News and Observer, JULY 21, 2017 Adults broaching difficult situations or subjects with children can initiate hard conversations with books like these new publications. The uncertainties of today’s world can be overwhelming. Holly McGhee offers read more »
Franken, Sedaris memoirs entertain, of course
June 25, 2017(published in the News and Observer June 22, 2017) Listening to recently released memoirs written and read by famed humorists had me thinking about their commonality, though the two relate very different life experiences. “Al Franken Giant of the Senate,” read more »
Keep your kids reading all summer with these books
June 24, 2017(published in the News and Observer on June 18, 2017) In 1990, I discovered Mildred Taylor’s Newbery-winner “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” (Dial), a book which has just re-released with new cover art and an introduction by Jacqueline read more »
‘Days Without End’ boasts miraculous match
May 30, 2017published in The Raleigh News and Observer on May 28, 2017 A miraculous match happens when a fabulous written voice is paired with an incredible narration. This combination characterizes Aiden Kelly’s reading of Sebastian Barry’s “Days Without End”(book from Viking, read more »
