From The Mixed Up Files

Books Read From Here to There: Inventions that Changed the Way the World Moves by Vivian Kirkfield and Gilbert Ford This book highlights some of the key inventions that changed how people and things move around the world. Rather than explaining the science of these inventions, it contains mini-biographies about the inventors who created these ground-breaking devices. I learned a lot about how and when different modes of transportation came about, in addition to learning about the people who made them happen.   Since I didn’t have easy access to many of the books on...

In just the past few weeks, multiple kidlit authors have seen their author visits canceled. Talk on the True Story of the First Woman to Bike Around the World: CANCELED According to author Mary Boone’s piece in The Seattle Times, she was scheduled to talk about her book Pedal Pusher: How One Woman’s Bicycle Adventure Helped Change the World at the Tacoma Children’s Museum site on the U.S. Army base Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The book tells the true story of Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, the first woman to bike around the world. However, a few days before the event, Boone was...

Raise your hand if you grew up learning the scientific method. Me too. In fact, for thousands of years, all the way back to Aristotle in Ancient Greece (and possibly earlier), the scientific method has been the way science is done. And it still is. Sort of. When the Next...

Books Read From Here to There: Inventions that Changed the Way the World Moves by Vivian Kirkfield and Gilbert Ford This book highlights some of the key inventions that changed how people and things move around the world. Rather than explaining the science of these inventions, it contains mini-biographies about...

I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Liza Cooper, author of Meems and Feefs, to the blog today! I can’t wait to hear how these adorable characters came to life. As someone who once had a ferret named Fern, I’m especially excited to learn what sparked the idea for this charming story....

Middle grade readers often have strong opinions. In earlier From the Classroom articles we shared how to Build Reflective Readers and reasons why we Don’t Pigeon-Hole Middle Grade Readers. This time I’d like to share a sure-fire way to get kids interested in new books: “If you like…” posters and...

Happy Autumn! When you get tired of raking leaves, escape with one of these new releases coming out during the month of November. Lots of adventure and mystery. Chris Makes a Friend  by Alex Gino. 240 pp. (November 4, 2025) Chris does not want to be spending the summer with...

Why we love podcasts about kids books? Podcasts are the perfect way to consume quality material while running errands, cleaning, driving, getting ready for work, etc. We build connections, learn, are entertained, expand our thoughts and opinions, and get inspired to be and do better. With so many great hosts...