Dead Writers Podcast
Maine is something of a beacon for creative types–well known for our visual artists, of course, but also for writers. To learn more, tune into the Dead Writers Podcast and discover a wealth of information on Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and others!
Read MoreClimb the Steeple of Old North Church
While I’m waiting to hear back from my editor on a collection of poems about Paul Revere’s ride, I thought I’d share this delightful resource I came across on during my research–a virtual tour of the steeple and bell tower of Old North Church. Follow the stairs and ladders up to the top and imagine yourself as Revere’s two friends (or maybe just one, the historical record is a bit on the skimpy side) toiling up the tallest point in Boston to light a pair of lanterns and let watchers in Charlestown know that the redcoats were leaving Boston over the Charles River…
Read MoreYou’re Right, Books Are Dangerous
Blue paper covers shelves of books that students are being denied access to.
This just breaks my heart.
In a classroom–a classroom–books are being kept away from students. Students want to read, to learn, to feed their curiosity, to enlarge their sense of the world, to simply have fun, and they’re being told NO. Are being told that’s not what school is for. Are being told that curiosity and openness of mind and heart must be controlled. Are being told that THEY must be controlled, that they and their teachers cannot be trusted to make choices about their own reading. About their own minds.
The people who made these laws are right about one thing–books are dangerous. They tell facts. They explain ideas. They make change. They are change.
And if that scares you–you might do something like this to children.
But it’s about your weakness and your fears, not about the books. And not about the students. The only thing on display here is the cowardice of lawmakers who don’t deserve the title, don’t deserve their jobs, and who are cowering in fear of chapter books.
Shame, shame, shame.
Read MoreStoryCorps
Our stories are our history and our identity.
I’m so excited to announce that I’m going to working on a graphic novel–no, a piece of graphic nonfiction–boy, do we need a better term for this genre!–anyway–a work of historical nonfiction in a graphic format based on the wonderful, touching, and uplifting stories collected by StoryCorps.
I’m thrilled to get to work with such great material, and also excited to be tackling my first script for a graphic work. So far in my career I’ve published novels, picture books, chapter books, early readers, nonfiction, fiction, and poetry–delighted to add graphic work to the list!
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Reviews