February 2015

Featured Article

Library Lessons: Judith Viorst’s Alexander Series

by Boni Hamilton

Alexander, a rascally redhead, has been entertaining young readers for more than forty years. He first appeared in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. He told a humorous tale of one aggravating event after another. His lot did not improve, as his talent for making poor spending choices overshadowed any attempt to make money in Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday. When Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move appeared two decades later, our feisty main character, the youngest of three sons, was still working very hard to make his opinion heard. The release of a new title, Alexander, Who’s Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever, provides an excellent opportunity to introduce Alexander to a new generation.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE…

Meet the Author

TeachingBooks.net’s complete interview with Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.

Read the Article

Additional Resources

• Character Education
  Thank-you note templates
• Curriculum Connections
  Well-Equipped Set or Stage crossword puzzle; Pennies, Shillings, Crowns, and Pounds worksheet
• Freebies, Doodads, & Helpful Hints
  All the World’s a Stage word find
• Gaining STEAM
  Thaumatrope activity sheet
• Keep’em Reading
  Sample screenplay format
• Library Lessons
  Visuals, worksheets, and activities for Judith Viorst’s Alexander series
• Strengthen Your Core
  Listening & Speaking rubric
• Tips from the Trenches
  Library Sweethearts trivia game