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Aug 15, 2012 
Summer is a great time to clean up – in your classroom or library, at home, and especially here at the Mixed-Up Files! We’ve been busy updating the For Teachers/Librarians page to help you make middle-grade books an even more effective and engaging part of your classroom and library/media center!
You’ll notice that, like all thorough cleaners, we’ve tried to reorganize and streamline the information. We hope you find that the alphabetized list of categories helps you scroll quickly to the topic you’re looking for. We’ve also updated all of the links and added some new ones!
Please help us continue to grow by adding your requests/suggestions in the comments section below!
Here’s an overview of the specific additions you’ll now find on the page (marked on the For Teachers/Librarians page with New!):
AUTHOR VISITS
- MUF Blog Posts on author visits: We’ve collected all that we’ve had to say about author visits in one place.
AUTHOR WEBSITES with discussion/activity guides
- Additional links to middle-grade authors who offer helpful classroom activities and discussion guides on their websites: Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, Judy Blume, Jack Gantos, Jean Craighead George, Will Hobbs, Deborah Hopkinson, Gary Paulsen, Rodman Philbrick, Gary D. Schmidt, Jerry Spinelli, and Jane Yolen
BLOGS
- American Indians in Children’s Literature: Debbie Reese helps teachers and librarians find resources and consider issues related to the representation of American Indians in children’s books.
- The Reading Tub: Extensive collection of middle grade and YA book review blogs (previously under General Resources)
BOOK CLUBS
- MUF Blog Posts on Book Clubs: Collected MUF posts related to starting and sustaining book clubs for middle-graders.
- Book Clubs for Kids from PBS Parents: Great resources for teachers and parents.
- Literature Circles Resource Center: Resources and information on book clubs and literature circles from the College of Education at Seattle University.
BOOK LISTS
- Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC): Recommended Book Lists
- IRA Children’s Choices Reading List
- IRA Teachers’ Choices Reading List
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Children: Annual list compiled by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council
- Outstanding Science Trade Books: Annual list compiled by the National Science Teachers Association
- Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 2011: Children’s Fiction
- Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 2011: Children’s Nonfiction
GENERAL RESOURCES
- Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)
- Children’s Book Council (CBC) Diversity Committee
- Exploring Diversity: Resources related to diversity compiled by author Cynthia Leitich Smith.
- Horn Book Magazine: Resources for Educators
- International Reading Association (IRA)
- National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
- ReadWriteThink: Literacy resources for teachers at all levels.
- Scholastic Teacher Resources: Search for both free and paid curriculum resources.
- Scholastic Librarian Resources: Search for both fee and paid resources for your library.
- School Library Journal
- Themed Literature Units: Resources for teaching children’s literature using social justice themes such as speaking out for justice, persevering to overcome obstacles, reaching out to others, and many more.
We hope you find some gems that will make your classroom or library the sizzling spot for middle-grade readers and writers! We urge you to offer your own suggestions in the comments section below. And finally, a hearty thanks to our MUF colleagues who developed this wonderful resource page in the first place!
Bruce Eschler and Katherine Schlick Noe took off their writer hats and put on their well-worn teacher beanies to update this page. Bruce teaches junior high school students most of the year, writes speculative fiction for kids as much he can, and is hoping he’ll soon be done with his pesky doctoral program. He has occasionally been spotted at www.bruceeschler.com. Katherine teaches beginning and experienced teachers at Seattle University. Her debut novel, Something to Hold, was published by Clarion Books in 2011. Visit her at http://katherineschlicknoe.com.
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librarians, resources, teachers
