by Phil | Jan 26, 2016 | Books, Education, Ideas
When we lived in Brooklyn, whenever we saw our friends, it was usually only for a quick bite or a drink or to chill on the roof. More often than not, we all had one eye on our screens because someone was always running to pick up the kids at afterschool, heading to...
by Phil | Dec 8, 2015 | Books, Ideas, Social
If you’ve seen the book trailer for my middle grade novel, A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME, you know who Reece is. Well, Reece needs our help. Reece Simmons is a fifth grader at Hamilton Elementary in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Texas. He was one of the students who helped...
by Phil | Oct 29, 2015 | Books, Education, Ideas, Tips
Last week, I went back to high school. When I visit schools these days, more often than not, I’m visiting elementary and middle schools. But every once in awhile, I’ll get the opportunity to visit a high school, and my October visit to Cedar Ridge High...
by Phil | Oct 5, 2015 | Books, Ideas
On Friday, I received a pretty awesome piece of snail mail — the certificate designating MARVELOUS CORNELIUS a Junior Library Guild selection! Hootie-Hooooo!! All this week, we’re going to be celebrating Marvelous Cornelius with a little (big) blog party....
by Phil | Sep 30, 2015 | Books, Ideas
This is Kaylee. She’s holding her new writer’s notebook. During all my school visit presentations, I always hold up my writer’s notebook. I tell kids I take it with me wherever I go because I never know when I’m going to be inspired. I also...
by Phil | Sep 23, 2015 | Books, Education, Ideas, Memories
MARVELOUS CORNELIUS is a modern day folktale. If you teach folktales in your classroom or library, please consider using this text. Here are some of the ways that MARVELOUS CORNELIUS fits the criteria: Generally speaking, folktales are short stories or legends that...
