Naturally, any visit by my family to Scotland includes a stay in Edinburgh and a stop at my beloved Edinburgh Castle. Rebuilt considerably over the centuries, the fortress in Scotland’s capital has a rich history with many fascinating stories. “Castle at War,” a new exhibit in Argyle Tower, was spectacular, a dramatic multi-media display with… Read more »
August 2019
Real Medieval (and pre-Medieval) Scottish Weaponry!
In my school talks, I chat a wee bit about the weaponry mentioned in my books. And after a visit early this summer to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (my favorite museum ever, by the way), I’ve some wonderful examples of medieval weaponry and armor that link nicely to my books. First, here’s… Read more »
Book Review: TIN by Pádraig Kenny
It’s not much, really, but the orphan Christopher is pleased to be the only “real” boy among his companions in Mr Absolam’s scrapyard, a place where mechanicals—boys with some human parts but mostly metal ones, parts joined by magic—train to be as real as possible for the human families that will, they hope, one day… Read more »
Teacher’s Guide: Update
With the school year about to begin (and having already begun in some parts of the country), I’ve finally got around to updating the Teacher’s Guide for The Mad Wolf’s Daughter to include some new resources, as well as discussion questions for The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter. I realize that sequels are rarely used in classrooms as… Read more »
These lilacs have the most glorious scent, but are pretty modest in their way. The former colleague I lost over the weekend to cancer would have liked them for both those reasons.
#flowers #grief #lilacs
It’s been a tough week. A moment with a few flowers can make a difference.
#flowers #azalea #springflowers