Category Archives: Reading

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Out of My Mind’ by Sharon Draper

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

I wanted to love this book. I was introduced to “Out of My Mind” by fourth-graders at McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa, Ill. During a round of questions and answers, they asked me to name my favorite books, then shared … Continue reading →

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Thoughts sparked by the death of Lois Duncan

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

The news of Lois Duncan’s death reached me today. Lois, a revolutionary author who essentially created her own genre of young adult suspense, died yesterday at her home at 82 years old. Her best-known title is probably “I Know What … Continue reading →

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A reading challenge for picky young readers

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

As a kid, I wouldn’t touch food with coconut. Or onion. Or green peppers. Or mushrooms. The list goes on. I was a picky eater back then. Even though I still avoid dishes with mushrooms (I just can’t bring myself … Continue reading →

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Today is Multicultural Children’s Book Day

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

It’s Multicultural Children’s Book Day! One of my favorite multicultural books growing up was “Julie of the Wolves” by Jean Craighead George. (It’s not like the titular character’s name is what originally attracted me to the book … or like … Continue reading →

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Storytelling without words

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Julie Stroebel Barichello

There are so many ways to tell a story with words. First-person or third-person point of view, poetry or prose, short story or novel. But words aren’t the only way to tell a story. Natalie “Tally” Nourigat is a writer, … Continue reading →

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