What to pair with THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN?

...why DON'T FEED THE BOY, of course!


That's what I'm hearing from teachers who have booked me for Skype visits on World Read Aloud Day (March 6).

Ivan and Whit have a lot in common actually... they're both stuck in places they don't belong. And the friendships the make are the key to everything. And yes, there's much to discuss about zoos and captivity and the part we humans play in all of that. There's friendship and adventure and characters with pretty unique perspectives on life as we know it.

What a wonderful choice IVAN is for Newbery! I like that it's one I can recommend without reservation.

Back to World Read Aloud Day: I don't know who started it or how long it's been happening -- and if I wasn't in a hurry I would totally google it.

Alas.

I wouldn't even know about the event if not for Kate Messner, who knows pretty much everything. (Thanks, Kate!) And thanks to her post listing authors willing to Skype with students on World Read Aloud Day, my schedule is nearly full already. But I do have a couple of spots left, so teachers, if you want to Skype with me, please get in touch very soon! I've got bookmarks for your kids, and I promise we will all have a fun time.

And be sure to check out all those other fabulous authors on the list -- so much generosity in ye olde kidlitosphere!