Books

When Your Daughter Gossips

January 23, 2012

There’s nothing like kids to make you justify every piece of advice you give. Any stated opinion can raise a multitude of objections. As in the case of discussing gossip and rumors, I can say, “Don’t talk about people. Don’t talk bad about people. Don’t repeat everything you hear” but it is often met with [...]

Read the full article →

Alexis Jones-I Am That Girl

February 11, 2011

Alexis Jones paid a school visit this week to talk to our middle school girls and present her program, I am That Girl. Alexis is a graduate of Westlake High School and the University of Southern California where she received a Bachelor’s in International Studies and Spanish and a Master’s in Communication. She achieved fame [...]

Read the full article →

Girl Bullying-When Your Daughter Doesn’t Want to Go to School

January 26, 2011

You are walking down the hallway with a friend. Girls say hello to her but not you. You sit down at the lunch table, and everyone mysteriously gets up. You speak to a close friend and she gives you a blank stare. Have you become invisible? Yes, you have. Without even knowing it, you’ve been [...]

Read the full article →

Dear Teen Me Project

January 4, 2011

E. Kristin Anderson and Miranda Kenneally invited me to take part in the Dear Teen Me project. It’s a website for teens where a variety of authors write letters to their teenage selves in hopes of encouraging and inspiring teens of today. It’s a great project, and I’m so excited to be a part of [...]

Read the full article →

This American Life-Held Hostage

October 20, 2010

Here’s a quick follow-up to yesterday’s blog. Make sure you listen to Act One.

Read the full article →

Austin Teen Book Festival

October 3, 2010

I can’t believe how cool the Austin Teen Book Festival was at Westlake High School. We had so many fabulous writers. Ellen Hopkins (Have you read CRANK?) Nancy Werlin (Have you read IMPOSSIBLE?) Catherine Jinks, (Want to read EVIL GENIUS if it’s ever available in our school library) Pam Bachorz, (CANDOR is on my list of must reads) [...]

Read the full article →

Sonya Sones and verse novels

September 14, 2010

In case you’re venturing into verse novels, I highly recommend trying Sonya Sones. They are short and to the point. They are a fast read. The mother is depressed and watches soap operas. The father is stern and distant. The stories are about teen love, finding love, liking the nerd, fitting in, not fitting in. Back stabbing. Alliances. Broken alliances. Envy. Keeping [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries