This is a heartbreaking video to watch (and long at 10 minutes) from a librarian in Brooklyn, NY. Suzanne put her heart and soul into turning her library into a vibrant, exciting learning environment (with help from many, many volunteers) only to have it taken away to be used as a teacher's lounge for a Charter School. Suzanne is obviously a passionate librarian who puts kids first. The first two minutes fills us in on the background story and school law (she knows her stuff!) and then the pictures of the AMAZING transformation begins. I feel so sad for her and for all the kids who lost this amazing library and the right to choose their own books.

I want to dig deeper and hope to find a major uproar going on with the staff of MS 126 and parents.

Got my covers for the five classics yesterday. The illustrators did an amazing job! Click over to my website if you'd like to see them. As soon as Matthew saw the cover for The Red Badge of Courage, he said, "Ohhhh! I want to read that one first."

If you click on the sell sheet below, you'll recognize a few author friends who also adapted stories for the series. I'm in great company!

My kids are going to be thrilled when they get home...

Staples is running a deal on photocopying until November 14th. I usually run copies off my printer but decided to make life easier and go there. You get half of the cost back on your Staples Rewards card. So, if you spend $40, your check for $20 will arrive not too long after.

I have to admit, I was SHOCKED how much the copying came to. Why do they charge 8 cents for a single-sided copy and 18 cents for a double?? Does that make sense? You use one less sheet of paper. I guess I could see 16 cents. But 18? Boo!

My copier takes about a minute to print four copies so I saved a ton of time. I don't know how great the deal was but for me, it worked.



Side note: Why would my highly educated husband waste money on one of those annoying "That Was Easy" easy buttons as soon as he saw the commercial a few years ago? It's been sitting in the drawer ever since. But I did smile as my son climbed the steps on the bus the first day of school and "That Was Easy" came singing out of his backpack.

is illustrating my adaptations of Tom Sawyer and King Arthur.(January 2010) Lucky me! With permission, here's the cover and an inside illustration of Tom and Becky.





Howard is SO talented, isn't he? Check out his website:

http://www.mcbill.plus.com/

My kids own every Little House season on DVD. I can't tell you how much they love the series. So much so that several years ago, they wrote and put on a play with some neighborhood friends in our yard.



Although the last child had to be cropped for the web and her hair is dark, I'm sure you can see she's a dead wringer for Nellie with those curls. The first girl played Mary, Sarah played Laura, and Matthew played Pa, Willie, Albert and Adam. (He's quite the talent!)

So seeing Little House at the Paper Mill Playhouse was thrilling yesterday. Sure, they've seen other versions before. What made THIS ONE extra special? Melissa Gilbert played the role of Ma. It was amazing! (Although a bit jarring near the end when they showed grown up Laura in scenes with Ma. Hard to tell them apart! I kept thinking Melissa/Ma was still Laura. On a side note, Melissa's son played Willie. A family affair!



It was an excellent production. Melissa, along with the new Laura, got well-deserved standing ovations. I was awed by the singing voices of Laura, Mary and Carrie. Beautiful! Melissa's was pale in comparison but she's not a singer. (Although she's a good dancer!) That being said, her performance was magical and she proved that she's still a spunky Laura/Half Pint deep down.



If you love Little House, visit Jama's wonderful blog for another dose of Little House love!http://jamarattigan.livejournal.com/tag/little+house+on+the+prairie

National Library Card Sign-Up Month! It originated in the late eighties as a way for librarians to remind kids not to forget to get their most important back-to-school supply. Yep, a library card.



When I visit schools, I ask the students how many of them have a library card. Most hands go up. When I ask how many actually use it, at least half the hands go down. Boo! What good is having one if you don't use it? Out of those who have one, at least a quarter of them say it's their mom or dad's card. Boo again! Kids should have their own. It's a pretty powerful thing to have in your pocket. Pretty much one of the most important things a person can own.

I think every child born should be given a library card before leaving the hospital. Blanket? Check. Suction thingy. Check. Bill? Check. Library Card? Check. Why not? It would send a powerful message to parents.

Around here, getting your own card was a reason to celebrate. Here's Matthew signing his own card when he turned four. I still remember how Sarah squealed in delight after he signed his name. She hugged him so hard that he had a red mark around his neck for an hour.



Although we had them at home, he checked out these two books:





This is one of the slides I use in my school visit presentation. It's the Mullarkey's cards. If you click on the pic, you can see the large periods that both kids wrote after their names. Don't all beginning writers tend to do that? Makes me smile every time I see them. I still remember how hard the kids concentrated to write their names and in such a small space.



When I show this slide, I do sort of a warm-up with the younger kids and sing the "Library Card Song" written by yours truly, Sarah and Matthew. It's sung to the tune of the "Army march" song and kids repeat each line after I sing it:

I don't know what you've been told...
But a library card's worth more than gold...
Sign up now and get the power (show muscles!)
Feel your brain grow by the hour.
Read Caldecotts and poetry too.
Scary Stories, Boo to you (always "scare kid near me with the Boo)
Sign Up
Today
Sign up
Hooray!

I use this song as a springboard to explain that song writing is just one of the many forms of writing they can explore. Many kids associate writing/creating with words means books only.

It probably won't surprise you to learn that one of my favorite books is Jerry Spinelli's The Library Card.



In June 2008, I sat next to Jerry at lunch at an SCBWI event. Lucky me- we had assigned seats! When I told him my favorite books of his was The Library Card, he shared two things with me: He was tickled pink because no one ever named that book and it was optioned two weeks prior for a movie.

Can you believe I forgot to bring my copy to get signed? Ugh! But he did sign other books that I bought that day.


If you're a teacher and looking for a great book to share with intermediate grades, look no further. It's four short stories. In each one, a little blue plastic card mysteriously appears and rescues the characters in some way. Only Spinelli could pull this off without sounding preachy. Boys especially love the first story of Mongoose and Weasel.

Here's a short study guide: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=1007_type=Book_typeId=3750

Okay, I'm off. Guess where I'm going? Nope. It's not the library. I'm off in search of some chocolate! Yum!

I just finished adapting/abridging five classics for ABDO: Peter Pan, King Arthur, Tom Sawyer, The Wind in the Willows, and The Red Badge of Courage.

It feels odd to fiddle around with another author's words. And these are some authors, huh? It was very intimidating which is why I hesitated to take on the assignment. I am SO GLAD I did! I fell in love with Tom Sawyer all over again! Seriously, what an awesome story: friendship, betrayal, mystery, adventure, murder and lots of humor all wrapped up in one book.

I had read The Red Badge of Courage in high school and hated it with a passion. I never would have reread the book unless I had to. Reading it through the eyes of an adult is so very different from reading it as a 15 year-old. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and how I identified with Henry on so many levels.

I was just asked to work on five more and can't wait to get started. This is what I'm about to tackle:















ABDO has been incredible to work with and their illustrators are fantastic and top notch. You already know how much I admire and adore Phyllis Harris for her work on my Katharine series. Well, when I saw the cover of Tom Sawyer and an inside illustration, I was beyond thrilled again. I think Mark Twain would be amazed too. I'll be able to post some images/links for the illustrator this week or next.

Last night, I met someone who was shocked I used to be a librarian. Based on our convo, (her sterotyping!) I suspect this person hasn't stepped foot inside a library in years. Gone are the days of this:




I wish I could introduce her to Beth Hollis who "breaks sterotypes and, occasionally, bones."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/08/31/roller.derby.librarian/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/04/future.library.technology/index.html


Thoughts, anyone?

Good news: Major Mama Drama was recommended to K-5 students.



Bad news: Despite what the review says, Peter Pan/Wendy/Plays aren't even mentioned in the story. (Posted on a Denver Public Schools site.)

Their review:

"Katherine can’t believe how insistent her mother has become about her trying out for the part of Wendy in the school production of Peter Pan. Her mother keeps pulling out photos and old costumes from when she played the part of Wendy. She keeps talking about making it a family tradition. How is Katherine ever going to break it to her mother that she doesn’t want the part of Wendy?
Books in this series, Katherine the Almost Great, are full of family drama and fun. These books are for middle elementary age readers who are ready to step up from beginning reader books to easy chapters. Scattered pen and ink drawings add interest to the story but don’t overwhelm.

(It does sound cute but I digress...)

The blurb on my book:

Major Mama Drama: Katharine knows her mom’s super-duper secret and thinks it’s a super-duper dud! Mrs. Carmichael is the new cook at Liberty Corner School—Katharine’s school! When her mom blows her kisses, bans fries from the menu, and delivers sour milk to her classroom, Katharine’s stomach does a flip-flop belly drop. Can Katharine survive her major mama drama?

At least they correctly summarized (and recommended!) The Red, White, and Blue Crew.

While seeing UP two weeks ago, I saw the trailer for this movie. (Coming out in 3D in September.) I LOVE this book. It's clever and fun and makes me laugh.



After seeing the trailer, I'm not sure what I'll think about the adaptation. Here's a link to the trailer.

http://www.cloudywithachanceofmeatballs.com/

I've read this book at least 50 times as a librarian, teacher, grad student in a kid lit courses, and as a mom. Each time I read it, I always came away with a new discovery. Okay- to be honest, it was usually due to an observant student. For example, after at least 3 dozen readings, a kid remarked how he thought the "Look Out" written in Alphabet Soup was funny. I had NEVER noticed it! Seriously. The whole book is a visual feast. You can see part of the words here:



I don't see 90% of movies adapted from books I've read. I can't bring myself to see the ones that I felt such a strong emotional connection with like Because of Winn Dixie. I didn't even watch the made-for-TV movie Pictures of Hollis Woods.

Against my will, (those five year olds can be ruthless!) I saw The Polar Express. I didn't think I'd like it. That was an understatement. Blah. Ick.

Will I see this one? Yes. It's just a fun romp for me. I'll take it for what it is and hopefully enjoy it. Will you see it?

Yesterday, I got to be involved with a photo shoot for my cheerleading series for Enslow Publishers.

Give me an F!
Give me an U!
Give me an N!

Okay- you get the picture.

Months ago, I was asked about the possibility of getting some of the girls from my squad together for a shoot. I sent a letter out to the girls and these are the ones that were able to make it. (Boy, it's tough scheduling with softball, dance recitals, etc.! These girls have busy lives!)


My daughter is the third from the left.

My lovely editor, Mary O'Connor, came along with Nicole diMella, the Photo Editor at Enslow. We were so glad the rain held off and actually had sunshine for part of it. (NJ is water-logged these days.) This photo was taken at the end. At this point, the sun was long-gone and we were FREEZING!



Here's Nicole in action:



I wasn't sure what to expect, so I brought extra clothes and lots of props like cheer trophies, spirit stick, etc. The girls liked changing for the second set of shots. This was snapped while Nicole was getting the next shot ready.



The girls were great through the 90-minute shoot. Hundreds of pictures were taken. We can't wait to see how they turn out. Nicole was terrific and patient as can be. Some shots had to be taken multiple times so each movement could be taken. (Like a jump.)

Special thanks to my good friend and co-coach, Ellen. Although I don't have a pic of her to share, her feet will make it into the book wearing funky spirit flip flops!

After the shoot, Mary, Nicole, fellow Enslow writer writerlinda and I went out to dinner. We talked for hours and had lots of laughs. As soon as we left the restaurant, the downpour came.

I feel really lucky that I'm part of the Enslow Family!

Dear April~

I just checked this out of the library ten minutes ago:



As always, I look at the author bio first. Since I "know" you from LJ, I already knew the background of Torched. But what exactly did I discover? Umm..just the tidbit that ROALD DAHL helped you get your first story published in a magazine at age 11! Whoa. Very cool. Spill the beans. Details, April. Details.

If he could see you now...

Best~
Lisa

http://www.booksnj.org/

If you are in the area of Paramus, NJ on Sunday, come out and meet 93 authors (childrens and adult)...

Or...

If you have a book coming out, bookmark the info for next year. I think it's going to be a great day.

It's been heavily advertised in the NYT and in every paper/magazine in the area. Here's an article I saw today:
http://www.northjersey.com/entertainment/Celebrating_a_comeback_for_books.html

From the article, a mind-boggling number:

"Arlene Sahraie sees blood pumping through the veins of the 75 libraries she helps run. Their total circulation vaulted over the 10 million mark last year."

Wow! TEN MILLION books?

Arlene rocks and has done an amazing job organizing this event. Thanks, Arlene!

Do your kids sign up for your library's program? Mine do. They read every day anyway so they figure why not get some prizes for it.



Yesterday I volunteered in my daughter's school and was lucky enough to hear the sales "pitch" for the program. They had the teen librarian come in from our public library.

When she initially asked how many people planned on joining, not too many hands went up. After her talk, hands shot into the air. Lots of kids were hooked after she 1. shared that graphic novels count and 2. showed some very cool new books. Some kids were sucked in after they heard that they've graduated to the TEEN section where little kids are forbidden to enter.(Several kids cheered upon hearing that tidbit.) MANY were lured by the loot:











Each week you go and log in your minutes, you get a ticket to drop in a bucket for the prizes above. It keeps kids going back. Let's hope the Mullarkey luck continues!

All kids get books, baseball tickets for local minor league team, and Applebee dessert coupons just for signing up and reaching milestones like 500 and 1,000 minutes. It's really amazing! Can you imagine all the work that the librarians put into this? Just to get the sponsors must be so time consuming. Last year, almost 3,000 kids signed up. The Library rocks!

John joins the adult program every year which has great prizes as well. This year, I'm thinking I should sign up and make it a

1. Matthew's been down that we haven't seen UP yet. Going today. Yea!

2. Yesterday I had my LAST school visit of the year. This is SO EXCITING! Love them, but...

3. Came home yesterday to a million little flags on my lawn. That can only mean one thing: the pool and deck guys are getting ready to turn our backyard into Camp Mullarkey. We can't wait!

4. I knew the time would come but didn't know it would come on like an avalanche: Sarah discovered the Twilight series. She's read all of them and paid for two herself. (Um...isn't the last one way way too old for her? Sigh.) I confess that she's so addicted and yes- she even stayed home from school to read one. She never wants to stay home and well- she REALLY, REALLY needed to finish it! I understand. Been there. Done that.

5. The number one question I am asked in small groups during school visits: Do you know Jeff Kinney? I wish! His impact on getting kids to read has been, IMO, just as great as JKR and SM. He rocks!

for school visits! Although it was a three hour drive, it was an easy I-did-not-get-lost- drive! Yea!

I visited Nellie Stokes and Simpson Schools. Here's the very enthusiastic media specialist at Stokes, Laura Wright, and her adorable kids that she had visit in the afternoon. What cuties!



Laura had everyone dress up in beach clothes and gave everyone leis. Here's the kindergarten class I met with. A fun group of kids! See that chair I'm sitting in? They asked me to sign in. But...I forgot! Sure enough, when I was at Simpson the next day, Laura brought this massive rocker over for me to autograph. (All visiting authors/illustrators are asked to sign it. A cool idea!)



Here's Laura with her principal, Christine Alois. As soon as I met her, I knew Christine was a dynamic principal. Very hands on and very proud of her students and staff. What my dad would call a "mover and a shaker." She was warm and "real" and adored by her staff. Although I only spent the day (and dinner and an evening event) with her, I was thoroughly impressed with her on so many levels. Not surprisingly, the day I left, she was named Delaware's Principal of the Year. Well-deserved. CONGRATS, Christine!



Dover Air Force Base was across the street from my hotel. It seemed like everyone I met was from a military family. Walking through the school, I saw lots of areas like this:

These areas are used for kids who need a mentor in their lives. They meet here and talk several times throughout the year. The connections made are strong and powerful. Many of the mentors throughout the years have been volunteers from the base. However, since September 11th, the teachers have been taking over the mentor roles since many of the former mentors have been called to active duty.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Stewart, the media specialist at Simpson. It was a treat to finally meet the person I had been emailing back and forth with for months. When I have a few minutes, it's always fun to look through the library and discover new books. Jane had been working on processing book fair materials so I got to see what was "hot" at the fair. Always a good way to add to my reading list! (Lots of graphic novels and The 39 Steps seemed in demand.)



Look what caught my eye as soon as I stepped into Laura's library:



Staff members pose with their favorite books. Of course they end up being the most circulated books in the library. If I were still in the library, I would "borrow" this fantastic idea.

Here's another idea I'd want to implement in school: all teachers who retire make a stepping stone for the garden. Lovely!


One of my favorite parts of visiting schools is getting to read the letters/cards kids write. Often, it's in conjunction with a contest to have a 20-minute Q&A Dessert Time with me. With permission from Mya, here's her letter (love the comment about my website) that made me smile:



Dear Lisa Mullarkey,
It would be an honor if you would spend twenty minutes with me so we could chat and talk face to face. I have read your fantastic books. Another little thing I would like share with you is that I think you are a very talented person because your books are so wonderful. I have been on your website. It was a very fine piece of grateful work. And the pictures are just magnificent. One of your magnificent pictures that was very sweet to me was Sharkey Mullarkey. It was just so kind of your class to give him to you. And don't get me started on the awesome recipes! We'll I just can't! The Moon Rock Pizza one is so cool. How did you come up with those lovely recipes? Well, that's all I can say in twenty minutes. Thank you for taking the time to read my message/letter. Tick,Tock. Ding Dong Man. Gotta go! READING TIME!!!
Stoke Colt,
Mya

Thanks, Mya! And thanks to all of the students and staff members who made my visit so special. Delaware rocks!

What the Mullarkey Family bought today...



Hope all my friends and family had a wonderful Mother's Day!

A year ago, I posted about Matthew winning a contest to be bat boy at the Somerset Patriots (minor league team) game. He got to meet the manager, Sparky Lyle (in 1977, he became the first AL reliever ever to win the Cy Young Award) and sit on the bench for a while. I posted this picture which I love.



Last week, John went to a diner and when he looked to the left, was surprised to see the picture on a promotional Patriots box. They were having the contest again. John entered both kids.

EXACTLY a year later, Matthew's name was picked again! He was bat boy for the same game: the game for which my daughter's softball league got to walk the field beforehand.

When Matthew walked into the dugout, everyone recognized him. The hair I thought. Nope! Apparently, Matthew is a STAR! He's featured on all the promotional videos/ads for the Patriots. (I guess the contest had a disclaimer on the back.)

Anyway, here are some 2009 pics:









He had a blast. Yep- right up until the point when we got home at 10:30 and he got sick- over and over again. We sure hope Sparky didn't catch it!