Suggested Reading
My friend Annie O’Brien, a writer and illustrator of children’s books, has a middle grade novel coming out soon, and it’s a must-read. It’s a gripping story about one girl’s high-stakes jaunt through dangerous North Korea. As she struggles to survive in hostile territory, she grapples with questions of family, identity, politics, and privilege. An excerpt of the novel is now posted on Entertainment Weekly–take a...
read moreFor the Love of Learning
Thanks to Lainie Liberti, host of the alternative education movement webcast For the Love of Learning, for having me as a panelist on her show about unschooling fiction writers. Lainie invites a panel of guests to take on a different topic each week. Recently, she gathered several writers who have written fiction about unschooling. Sheila Baranoski, Kristi Howe, Nicole Olson, Crispin Bateman and I all talked about our experiences as authors. While the others are all active unschoolers and unschool advocates, I had the distinction of being the...
read moreDeck the Mall
Fellow middle grade novelist and Islandport Press author Elizabeth Atkinson and I signed books at the Islandport Press kiosk at the Maine mall this past Saturday. Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a chat, a signed book, or a piece of candy. We met teachers, parents, and kids, including a home(un?)schooler who left with both Azalea, Unschooled and Beth’s book The Sugar Mountain Snow Ball. The event was a lot of fun, and a nice kick-off to the holiday season....
read moreAzalea Signing
What are you doing Thanksgiving weekend? Perhaps braving the crowds at the Maine Mall in South Portland? I’ll be there on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Islandport Press kiosk from 11-1, signing books along with fellow middle-grade author (and fellow 2015 Maine Literary Awards finalist) Elizabeth Atkinson. Stop...
read more“The Guardian” Looks at Unschooling
As the parent of a conventionally-schooled child, and the author of Azalea, Unschooled, a novel that explores the life of an unschooled child, I’ve thought a lot about the limits and potentials of different types of education. The British newspaper The Guardian today takes an interesting look at the unschooling movement, exploring both pros and cons of an entirely child-driven educational experience. Read the article...
read moreNinjas!
I’m feeling a little braggy today about my friend Sarah L. Thomson’s recently-published book, Deadly Flowers. It’s not just because she dedicated it to me and to our fellow writing group member, Anne Sibley O’Brien. It’s because it’s a really spectacular middle grade novel. I remember one time not too long ago, the three of us were having a conversation about middle grade books–I think maybe we were talking about what publishers are looking for. I can’t remember exactly. But I...
read moreThe Old Bait and Switchel
Due to an unexpected scheduling change, we’re having to cancel this afternoon’s Family Fun event at Vena’s. We’ll be rescheduling, so stay tuned!
read moreSwitch it Up!
Join me for a fun, fizzy family event at the fabulous Vena’s Fizz House in Portland, Maine! I’ll be reading aloud from Azalea, Unschooled and we’ll be mixing kid-friendly drinks with help from the terrific Vena’s staff. For tickets, visit Vena’s events page or call (207) 747-4901. Hope to see you...
read moreReading at Sherman’s Books in Portland, Maine
Join me for an informal event on Saturday June 25th from 1-3 at Sherman’s Books at 45 Exchange Street in Portland, Maine. The event is co-sponsored by the Maine Women Writers Collection at UNE. I’ll do a short reading from Azalea, Unschooled and then I’ll be hanging around to sign books and talk. Refreshments will be served and children are welcome! Even if you have already bought enough copies of the book to last you a lifetime, drop by just to say hi and enjoy a terrific local bookstore (not to mention the great ice cream...
read moreFour Stars from HomeschoolLiterature.com
HomeschoolLiterature.com says of Azalea, Unschooled, “What a unique book…from the very beginning it caught my attention and kept it…it’s a funny and rather sweet story.” Read the full review here! And see YouTube version...
read moreLiza Kleinman
A writer of fiction for adults and children, and a freelance writer specializing in language arts educational materials.
Liza's latest release is the children's book Azalea, Unschooled from Islandport Press.
