Phil Shapiro

Designed to provide practical information to library workers of all types, this book offers specific strategies for supporting trans people in their libraries. As trans people (including those on the nonbinary spectrum) start to feel safer expressing their identities in public, libraries are making an effort to show that they welcome people of all gender identities. Yet there are many potential barriers to actively supporting trans people, including lack of knowledge about the needs of the trans community and lack of funding or institutional support. This book, written entirely by trans library workers, is designed to dismantle some of these barriers. Supporting Trans People in Libraries is relevant for library workers of any background and position. People with little knowledge about trans identities can start with the opening introductory chapters, while those looking for guidance on a specific situation―such as adding all-gender restrooms, interacting respectfully with trans coworkers, deciding what information to require on library card applications, writing inclusive job postings, making collection development decisions, and more―can jump to a particular chapter. For each topic, there are sections on easy fixes, best practices, and example language. Readers can easily adapt the information to benefit their libraries and communities in concrete ways.

Featuring 500 book recommendations covering a wide range of subjects, this preteen and teen reading guide is a "go-to resource for parents, students of young adult literature, teachers, and librarians" (School Library Journal) Needed now more than ever: a guide that includes 500 reading recommendations for preteens and teens with the goal of inspiring greater empathy for themselves, their peers, and the world around them. As middle-school and high school students are diagnosed with anxiety and depression in increasing numbers, or dealing with other issues that can isolate them from family and friends—such as bullying, learning disabilities, racism, or homophobia—characters in books can help them feel less alone. And just as important, reading books that feature a diverse range of real-life topics helps generate openness, empathy, and compassion in all kids. Reading lists are organized around topics, including: * Adoption and foster care * Body image * Immigration and diversity * Learning challenges * LGBTQIA+ youth * Mental health * Nature and environmentalism * Physical disability * Poverty and homelessness * Race and ethnicity * Religion and spirituality Each chapter explores a particular issue affecting preteens and teens today and includes a list of recommended related books—all published within the last decade. Recommendations are grouped by age: those appropriate for middle-grade readers and those for teens. Better with Books is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, therapists, and all caregivers who recognize the power of literature to improve young readers' lives.

Free yourself from writer’s block and inner critics with the creative power of improv! “Jorjeana Marie’s generous, joyful, and oh-so-useful book shows writers—both seasoned and new—how to unleash their creativity and find their best story.”—Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and I Have Lost My Way Improv instructor and writer Jorjeana Marie reveals a new way to generate idea after brilliant idea. Applying the rules of improv to fiction writing, Marie presents fun games and exercises you can do from the comfort of your desk at home. Surprise yourself with new plots, infinite characters and settings, and a supreme confidence in your own process. Armed with the power of improv—and liberating exercises like Ad Agency, Raise the Stakes, and Family Portraits—you’ll soon be an idea machine. With Improv for Writers, your creative storytelling well will never run dry again. Advance praise for Improv for Writers “Here’s a secret. Many authors started out as drama geeks and later found that theatrical skills like deep-diving into character and improvising on the fly were essential tools for writing fiction. Jorjeana Marie’s generous, joyful and oh-so useful book applies the principles of improv to writing and though a series of targeted, fun exercises shows writers—both the seasoned and the new—how to unleash their creativity and find their best story.”—Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and I Have Lost My Way “Part practical, part playful, part encouraging and affirming, Jorjeana Marie’s Improv for Writers is a certain antidote to writing blocks—and writer’s block! This book is a necessary and vital tool for authors and storytellers everywhere.”—Karma Brown, bestselling author of The Life Lucy Knew “Thank you, Jorjeana Marie for infusing joy and play and experimentation in the often-arduous act of writing fiction. I'll be turning to these exercises whenever I need to jump-start my writing session and will be recommending many of my writing students to do the same.”—Nina LaCour, Michael L. Printz Award-winning author of We Are Okay, Hold Still, The Disenchantments, and Everything Leads to You; and You Know Me Well, a novel written in collaboration with David Levithan.

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER BY THE AUTHOR OF TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING LUCY HALE & KUNNAL NAYAR “A fun, page-turning delight.” —Minneapolis Star-Tribune “Funny, tender, and moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry reminds us all exactly why we read and why we love.” —Library Journal (starred review) A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. He lives alone, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, its unexpected arrival gives Fikry the chance to make his life over—and see everything anew. “This novel has humor, romance, a touch of suspense, but most of all love--love of books and bookish people and, really, all of humanity in its imperfect glory.” —Eowyn Ivey, author of The Snow Child “Marvelously optimistic about the future of books and bookstores and the people who love both.”—The Washington Post “You won’t want it to end.” —Family Circle “A natural for book groups.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “A reader’s paradise of the first order.” —The Buffalo News “Captures the joy of connecting people and books . . . Irresistible.” —Booklist “A wonderful, moving, endearing story of redemption and transformation that will sing in your heart for a very, very long time.” —Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain “Readers who delighted in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,  The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and Letters from Skye will be equally  captivated by this novel.” —Library Journal, starred review

Schools struggle with budget-breaking software bills while students endure locked-down computers and closed technology policies. But there’s a better way to empower and inspire students: the open source model. The Open Schoolhouse is a candid story and practical guidebook for school administrators and educators seeking affordable and powerful technology programs. Follow Penn Manor School District's open technology journey from the server room to the classroom. Learn how open source software and values helped the district cut costs, design a one-to-one laptop program, and create an internationally recognized student help desk. You’ll discover: The secrets behind free and open source software and how open source principles ignite classroom collaboration, design thinking, and communities of practice How LibreOffice, Linux, Moodle, WordPress, and other open source programs can save schools hundreds of thousands of dollars How open source culture and software tools can help school technology teams improve infrastructure and support systems The step-by-step story of dreaming, planning, and launching an open high school one-to-one laptop program and student-led technology help desk How a remarkable team of high school technology apprentices created innovative software for thousands of students and teachers If you like clear examples, abundant anecdotes, and inspiring student success stories, you'll love this behind the scenes look at how one school district rebooted classroom technology and empowered students to rewire their world. Read The Open Schoolhouse and be inspired to upgrade your school to open source!

If you are a young person, and you work hard enough, you can get a college degree and set yourself on the path to a good life, right? Not necessarily, says Sara Goldrick-Rab, and with Paying the Price, she shows in damning detail exactly why. Quite simply, college is far too expensive for many people today, and the confusing mix of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid leaves countless students without the resources they need to pay for it. Drawing on an unprecedented study of 3,000 young adults who entered public colleges and universities in Wisconsin in 2008 with the support of federal aid and Pell Grants, Goldrick-Rab reveals the devastating effect of these shortfalls. Half the students in the study left college without a degree, while less than 20 percent finished within five years. The cause of their problems, time and again, was lack of money. Unable to afford tuition, books, and living expenses, they worked too many hours at outside jobs, dropped classes, took time off to save money, and even went without adequate food or housing. In many heartbreaking cases, they simply left school—not with a degree, but with crippling debt. Goldrick-Rab combines that shocking data with devastating stories of six individual students, whose struggles make clear the horrifying human and financial costs of our convoluted financial aid policies. America can fix this problem. In the final section of the book, Goldrick-Rab offers a range of possible solutions, from technical improvements to the financial aid application process, to a bold, public sector–focused “first degree free” program. What’s not an option, this powerful book shows, is doing nothing, and continuing to crush the college dreams of a generation of young people.

Do you know children who experience attention, anxiety, and learning issues? The ABCs of Learning Issues is a valuable resource that "helps parents better understand and support their children's learning issues and behaviors by providing concrete strategies to help children reach their full potential," according to Special Needs Book Review. Available in English and Spanish, the book helps parents and professionals work together to bridge the home-school gap, covers current educational topics, provides a glossary of terms professionals use, and identifies community resources where parents can find support. It also features an Ask Dana component where readers can ask the author confidential questions about their child's individual profile. Winner of a 2019 National Parenting Products Award, The ABCs of Learning Issues is an empowering guide that's been featured on Up Journey's Best Parenting Books to Read in 2019 list and called a "great read" by MDR.

Learn how to harness students' natural curiosity to develop them into self-directed learners. Discover how technology allows students to take ownership of their learning, create and share learning tools, and participate in work that is meaningful to them and others. Real-life examples illustrate how every student can become a teacher and a global publisher. The embedded QR codes link to supporting websites. Benefits: Read real-life examples that illustrate how technology is revolutionizing instruction and learning. Develop techniques that will enable your students to own and direct their learning. Discover hidden opportunities to create your own Digital Learning Farm communities. Contents: Chapter 1: Welcome to the Digital Learning Farm Chapter 2: The Student as Tutorial Designer Chapter 3: The Student as Scribe Chapter 4: The Student as Researcher Chapter 5: The Student as Global Communicator and Collaborator Chapter 6: Joining Forces in Purposeful Work: The Legacy of Student Contribution