This year Liz Garton Scanlon published her first book for middle grade readers, The Great Good Summer.
 Meet Ivy Green, of Loomer Texas. Her  life has turned upside down. Mama has run off to Florida with Hallelujah Dave and she is left at home, trying to learn exactly where her mama is and why she left home. Searching for answers, she boards a Greyhound Bus with her friend Paul to find her mother and answers to her questions. Note: I think this was the year of the Great Greyhound bus odyssey. Young tweens and teens seek for answers and come to terms with loss while traveling via transit coach. Mary Iris Malone heads for Ohio in Mosquitoland, Eva Roth travels to California in Kissing in America, and now Ivy sets her sights on Florida.  Cue Simon & Garfunkel's  Look for American.
Road Trip! Get on the bus with Ivy and Paul as she seeks for answers. ​“My problem is, I’ve got a lot of voices inside,” I say. "They interrupt one another all the time.”

One of the nicest things that anyone can say is "Thank you." It's more than just good manners. It is an acknowledgement of the goodness and wonder in our lives. There are many ways to help students to become more aware and appreciative.  
​These picture books and the accompanying materials promote thoughtful discussion and exploration a variety of ways to express gratitude. The bonus video will give students the opportunity to learn to say thanks in another language. 

"For as long as anyone can remember, Mohawk parents have taught their children to start each day by giving thanks to Mother Earth. Also known as the Thanksgiving Address, this good morning message is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift. The whole universe — from the highest stars to the tiniest blade of grass — is addressed as one great family. "  Lee & Low Books

During his life, Chief Jake Swamp delivered the Thanksgiving Address to numerous groups including the United Nations. Listen to him recite it, accompanied by Erwin Printup Jr's evocative art.
TeacherVision offers ideas for enrichment activities. Reading extensions include making a thankful list, learning about the Wampanoags, and eating a seasonal diet.

DePaola's picture book illustrates the value of learning to "look", that is to see the beauty and joy in life. His soft images encourage readers to be more perceptive and receptive to their surroundings.

Teachers can find teaching suggestions aligned with Common Core Standards. I liked the suggestions for exploring the word "gift" by helping students create two lists. One enumerates gifts that can be wrapped and another describes those that cannot be wrapped.
Listen to this short interview with the author and learn about his favorite page in the book.

​The publisher offers a downloadable poster  as well as an activity page.

For the bees that didn't
sting me and turn me into
a pincushion, thanks.

Pat Mora's delightful bilingual book is filled with humor and warmth. The accompanying video trailer allows students to experience the language of gratitude in both Spanish and English.

In addition to exposing children to a bilingual experience, Mora gives students the opportunity to appreciate poetic language.

In her open letter, Mora offers some wonderful suggestions for incorporating poetry into the classroom, Poetry Resource Guide for Teachers.

The waitress is thankful 
for comfortable shoes.
The local reporter,
for interesting news.

Spinelli turns our attention to the often unsung, unnoticed individuals who bring joy to our lives.  Two children dress up and then role play various occupations.
What a terrific opportunity to recognize and thank community helpers.  
A picture book set in simple couplets and accompanied by soft illustrations that young readers will appreciate.

Bonus: Learn to say "Thank you" in 29 different languages.

One of my favorite things about Twitter:  the evidence that authors of books for young people seem to genuinely like  each other.  As I read the postings written by authors of children's literature, I note that many go out of their way to support fellow authors. They seem to find joy in the successes of their peers and will often promote the work of their colleagues.
Social Media is often associated with bullying, fault-finding, complaining and thoughtless attacks. But it doesn't have to be that way. I'm not surprised that so many authors, masters of the art of written expression, have found a way to use 140 characters to sing the praises of other authors and their work.  Here are some of the  Twitter author posts that give  Social Media a good name.

• Pan Munoz Ryan snuggling up with a young reader to share Marla Frazee's The Farmer and the Clown. 
• Gennifer Choldenko singing the praises of Mummy Cat.
• Debbie Ridpath Ohi's series of bookfriend spotting.
• Dan Gemeinhart's daughter in costume inspired by Heidi Schulz's Hook. 
• Katherine Applegate pointing her followers to Sue Fliess's posted video.
• Jarrett J Krosoczka gives a shout out to a Steve Light video on All the Wonders.
• A collaborative comic post created by Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Kelly Light.

YA author Beth Kephart is the epitome of "gracious goodness". Her Huffington Post article "I Want You: The Politics of Nice on "The Voice" fits perfectly with my thoughts on the importance of appreciation and the soul-saving value of just being nice.
Thanks to all those whose posts make social media a great place to visit.