Kellee – Unleashing Readers

Educators’ Guide for Dream by Barbara O’Connor

February 11, 2026 by Kellee

Dream
Author: Barbara O’Connor
Published: August 26, 2025 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Summary: Dream follows a small town girl with big aspirations of becoming a songwriter. Turns out anything is possible with your best friends and an adorable pup by your side!

The sky is the limit.

Idalee Lovett is content with her life in small-town Colby, North Carolina, living in her family’s huge house with rooms for rent. But she has big dreams, just like her mama. While Mama is on tour for the summer with her cover band, Lovey Lovett and the Junkyard Dogs, Idalee decides to hone her craft as a songwriter—since her truest wish is to hear her country songs on the radio one day.

When the local radio station announces a songwriting contest with the winning song being recorded by an up-and-coming singer, Idalee is determined to win. It would definitely be possible if only she could buy the shiny blue guitar in Asheville’s music shop. Idalee doesn’t have much money, but she knows exactly how to get it—the long-lost treasure her late granddaddy hid somewhere in their house. With the help of her friends Odell, Howard, Charlie, and an adorable little dog named Wishbone, Idalee is going to search in every nook and cranny until she finds it. But little does she know, the biggest treasure of all is only discovered when you believe in yourself with your whole heart.

In this standalone companion to the #1 New York Times bestseller Wish, nothing is impossible as Idalee learns the power of chasing your dreams one guitar strum at a time.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions:

Please view and enjoy the educators’ guide I created for Dream:

You can also access the educators’ guide here.

You can learn more about Dream on its MacKids page.

Recommended For:

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 2/9/26

February 9, 2026 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Heart of Everything by Marc Levy

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Teaching Activities Related to James Baldwin’s Extraordinary Life” by Michelle Meadows, Author of Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

Books I’ve read since 1/12/26

Picture Books

As you can probably guess, as the administrative assistant for the 2026 Caldecott Committee, I read A LOT of 2025 picture books. To keep with the confidentiality of the process, I am only going to share 5 that I read–the 5 that WON THE CALDECOTT! Here is our award winner followed by the four honors. As you can guess, I highly recommend all of these picture books. I think our chair and my friend Jewel Davis said it best about all of these books:

“Fireworks is distinguished by the way it captures the rhythm of a summer day,” Caldecott committee chair Jewel Davis said. “It is a rare book that trusts the quiet, lived-in moments of childhood to be just as spectacular as the main event.”

“Across the medal and honor books, a quiet throughline of belonging emerged,” said Davis. “The illustrations in each title approach this idea differently, through mood, setting, texture, and visual structure, but together they reflect a year of picture books that are both joyful and meaningful. These titles affirm children’s emotional lives and their connections to the world around them in ways that feel grounded, expansive, and deeply respectful of young readers.”

Middle Grade

Dog Man: Big Jim Believes by Dav Pilkey: Another funny and heartwarming edition of Dog Man. I love how Dav Pilkey never runs out of ideas and each book surprises me!

Young Adult

Fatal Thrones: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All by various: This book is told in chronological order through the point of view of each of Henry VIII’s wives with mini-chapters between each queen’s showing Henry’s point of view. I loved how the authors took their research and twisted it to tell the reader the history through the voices of women who did not get the chance to tell their story. And man, sometimes real history is more filled with drama and story than anything an author could make up.
Queen’s Match by Katharine McGee: Another historical fiction novel that takes a time in history that was pretty wild and turned it into a can’t-put-down historical fiction book. This is the sequel to Queen’s Game and continues the story of the 3 women, all connected to Prince Eddy, and how their lives fall into place. I loved researching as I read to see what was true and what wasn’t. Filled with romance and drama!
The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater: Dashka Slater’s other nonfiction book, Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Who Lives It Changed, showed me what a brilliant reporter and storyteller she is. I love that she tells a well rounded story, shows the humanity of all involved but also shows the consequences of mistakes, and writes it in a way that is interesting to read.
Queen Bee by Amalie Howard: Revenge and romance set ihn 1800s England!!! Once I got passed one believable aspect in the book, I really enjoyed it and didn’t want to put it down as I was totally invested in both the romance and the revenge plot!
Blue Lock Vol 1 by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Illustrated by Yosuke Nomura: So many of my students ask me about this manga, so I wanted to give it a try, and I CAN SEE WHY–dystopia + soccer + manga = a fanastic read.

Adult

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel: This was one of those audiobooks where I didn’t want to get out of my car because I wanted to keep listening to it. And I wanted to talk to everyone about it. It is an interesting look into human psychology around crime.
Miracle Children: Race, Education, and a True Story of False Promises by Katie Benner & Eric L. Green: This story is heartbreaking to read as an educator. Anyone who takes advantage of people who are trying to give their children the best they can are the worst. (Hence why I cannot support charter or private schools in most situations.) A well done book but definitely made me angry for all of these families.
The Pearl by John Steinbeck: Trente wanted to read The Pearl, so we listened to it together, and it is as tough a story. That ending was exactly what I remembered (from when I read it in 4th grade), and it is just as devastating. Definitely not a happy book but Steinbeck does know how to write.

And you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; see you next week!

Kellee

Rereading: Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
Reading: Sashimi by Dan Santat
Listening: The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win WWII

Wednesday: Educators’ Guide for Dream by Barbara O’Connor

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

Author Guest Post: “Teaching Activities Related to James Baldwin’s Extraordinary Life” by Michelle Meadows, Author of Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues

February 8, 2026 by Kellee

“Teaching Activities Related to James Baldwin’s Extraordinary Life”

James Baldwin wrote more than 20 works of fiction and nonfiction, including essays, plays, short stories, poems, and novels. Before he became a legendary writer and civil rights activist, he was a young boy from Harlem who loved books and the library. His friends and family called him Jimmy.

Here are five ways to inspire students to learn from James Baldwin’s phenomenal life and boost their self-awareness at the same time. These activities can be used as discussion points or writing exercises.

Set Goals

From a young age, Jimmy knew he wanted to be a writer. He devoured books, loved the rhythm of words, and felt that writing soothed him. One day, he shared his deepest dream with his mother: “I’m going to be a great writer when I grow up.”

Activity # 1: After reading the book JIMMY’S RHYTHM & BLUES: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin, students will enjoy picking out various moments that show Baldwin’s interest in writing. Explain to kids that they don’t have to know all their goals now, but that it’s wonderful to set goals related to activities you enjoy. Invite students to address: What are your goals right now? What are you doing to achieve them?

Celebrate Supporters

Jimmy’s teachers noticed he had a gift for weaving words together like musical notes of a song. This book highlights his most significant supporters, including a theater teacher named Orilla Winfield. Her nickname was Bill. Bill encouraged Jimmy’s interest in the arts by taking him to museums, movies, and plays outside of school.

Activity #2: Ask students to identify Jimmy’s main supporters and the nature of their support. Then ask them: Who are the supporters in your life? How do they show you support? How do you thank them for supporting you?

Face Challenges

While Jimmy found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books, he also found the blues, as a Black man dealing with discrimination and oppression in America. After he moved to Europe and no matter where he lived, he always cared deeply about the struggles of Black people back home. He took action by taking a tour of the Southern states in the U.S. He marched, protested, and wrote and spoke eloquently about the fight for freedom. Jimmy energized people of all ages and races to open their minds to new ways of thinking.

Activity #3: After inviting students to identify Jimmy’s challenges, ask students: What challenges have you experienced in your life? What actions did you or will you take to face those challenges?

Express Yourself

When Jimmy discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice and a channel to express himself. Jimmy also appreciated many types of artistic expression. He loved to sing and dance; music was an important part of his life. He was also interested in the colors of clothing, nature, and paintings. Hence the choice to tell his life story through the lens of a variety of colors. For example, one excerpt:

Writing is electric blue,
bright, brilliant swirls
of letters and words
flying, flipping,
flowing to the beat.

Activity #4: Explain to students that there are so many ways they can express themselves. Invite them to brainstorm: What are your favorite ways to express yourself? What colors do you connect with your different feelings and moods?

Writing Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin was one of the most exciting projects of my life. From the publication of his groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly. My hope: One day every student will know the name James Baldwin – one of America’s greatest writers and intellectuals.

Published January 30th, 2024 by HarperCollins

About the Book: Celebrate James Baldwin’s one-hundredth birthday anniversary with the first-ever illustrated biography of this legendary writer, orator, activist, and intellectual.

Before he became a writer, James “Jimmy” Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books.

But Jimmy also found the blues, as a Black man living in America.

When he discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice. And that voice opened the world to Jimmy. From the publication of the groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly.

Michelle Meadows, author of Brave Ballerina and Flying High, introduces young readers to the great American novelist, essayist, poet, playwright, orator, and artist James Baldwin, who, with the fire of his pen, dared a nation to dream of a more equitable world filled with love. Brought to life with warm illustrations by Jamiel Law, Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues chronicles the life of an incredible visionary who left an indelible mark on American literature and history.

About the Author: Michelle Meadows is the author of many acclaimed books for children. She loves dreaming up new projects and telling stories with heart. Some of her books include Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins. Michelle also contributed to Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy by Misty Copeland. With a passion for storytelling, Michelle graduated from Syracuse University with a dual degree in journalism and literature. Michelle grew up in Washington, DC, and now lives near the beach in Delaware with her husband. Visit Michelle at michellemeadows.com.

Thank you, Michelle, for this deep dive into Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues and James Baldwin’s life!

The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff

January 28, 2026 by Kellee

The Aftermyth
Author: Tracy Wolff
Published February 3rd, 2026 by Aladdin

Summary: In a world ruled by the tenets of Greek mythology, one girl’s fate is more than it appears in the first book in a new dark academia fantasy middle grade series from #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crave series Tracy Wolff.

What’s your myth?

Penelope Weaver has spent her whole life preparing to attend Anaximander’s Academy, where students learn how to bring to life the stories of Greek mythology as well as discover the Greek god whose principles they most embody. Penelope knows she’s an Athena—all smart, practical, and rule-following girls who take part in stories that matter are Athenas.

But when Penelope and her twin brother Paris arrive at Anaximander’s, it appears fate has other plans. Penelope isn’t placed with Athena but with students who are anything but practical and who prefer parties to rules. And that’s just the beginning. She’s given the world’s worst muse, her assigned tasks feel impossible, and the magic of Anaximander’s is overwhelming. Not to mention, there are two very different boys making her new life even more confusing.

But as things go from bad to dangerously worse, one thing becomes in a world where everything is fated to happen a certain way, some stories need to be rewritten. As the world around her shifts and cracks, Penelope is asked to forget everything she thought she knew to help create a better story…even if that changes every plan and breaks every rule.

About the Author: Tracy Wolff is the #1 New York Times, #1 internationally, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of the Crave series as well as many other novels. A lover of mythology, vampires, and getting lost in a great book, she’s spent her whole life asking “what if” and “what happens next”—questions being a writer has helped her answer again and again. At six, she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow, a unicorn, and a shapeshifting prince—and at seven, she forayed into the wonderful world of middle grade literature with her first Judy Blume novel. A one-time English professor, she now devotes all her time to writing fun, action-packed, romantic stories with fantastical worlds and characters who leap off the page. She has written all her seventy-plus novels from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her partner, her sons, and their three adorable dogs.

Review: There is so much that go on in this book, but I love that the author started directly with character development of Penelope followed by a wild event that helped the reader get to know the protagonist while also devleoping the plot. And this trend continues–each event allows the reader to get to know Penelope more while also moving along the plot simultaneously. It keeps the reader wanting to turn the page. The book has a quote: “Sometimes the goal isn’t really the point. Sometimes it’s how you get there that’s important.” This encompasses the book and Penelope’s journey.

This book is the exposition to a series that I look forward to following. I do have a lot of questions still about what is going on and why the mythology is how it is, so be ready for an open ended ending and so many questions swirling around in your head!

Educators’ Tools for Navigation: There is so much I wanted to do with this book!

Each god/goddess’s building has a banner, and it would be so much fun to have students make banners (after sorting them, of course!).
There are so many myths mentioned in the book: Hercules, Pandora, Muses, and Prometheseus specifically, so the parts that mention these would be great to look at when also reading the myths.
One main point of the book is looking at the point of view of myths, specifically Pandora in this book. Who is telling the myth? Who were those in power when the myth was written? How could the myth have been different when from another’s point of view?
The book also looks at how there are different versions of myths which is a great opportunity to talk about oral tradition and how stories were passed around before text.
I love the focus on constellations in the book and would be a fun way to have a science/oral tradition lesson!
Lastly, Fifi’s muse has pun-y muse shirts, and it would be so much fun to have students make their own.

Discussion Questions: Provided by Simon & Schuster (this is just a sample of the discussion questions on the reading guide; visit The Aftermyth page on Simon & Schuster):

1. Describe Penelope’s family and background. What are her parents like? What is her social life like before the book opens? Why do she and Paris end up going to Anaximander’s Academy?
2. Why is Penelope uncomfortable when Fifi starts to call her Ellie? What is Penelope’s image of herself and why is it important to her? Why is she anxious when Fifi wants to decorate the apple in front of Aphrodite Hall?
3. How does Penelope grow throughout the story? Contrast her self-image and her values at the beginning of Aftermyth to how she is at the end.
4. What is Penelope’s relationship like with her twin brother, Paris? In what ways are they close? How are they alike, and how are they different? How does their relationship change during their time at Anaximander’s? Who is Rhea, what is she like, and what role does she play in the changes between Penelope and Paris?
5. What are some examples of Penelope’s courage and leadership? How does she deal with the eagle in Dr. Minthe’s class? Later, during that class, how does she help others when her group is looking for the key to the door? (Chapters 27–37)
6. What is the purpose of Anaximander’s Academy? Describe the five halls, the gods to which they are each dedicated, and how the halls are different in spirit. Which hall does Penelope hope and expect to join? Which one does she end up in?
7. On the way to Anaximander’s, Penelope and her family meet PT. What is he doing? How does he respond to Penelope blowing out the lantern fire? Who does PT turn out to be in Greek mythology? What is his role in the story about Pandora’s box? What effect do Penelope’s actions have on him and his story?
8. How does Penelope initially feel about Fifi? Why does Fifi become, according to Penelope, “the best friend I’ve ever had”? (Chapter 41) What do they have in common? How are they different? How do they help each other?
9. Describe Fifi’s personality and style. Discuss her statement about herself, “‘I’m not good at much except directions and people.’” (Chapter 20) What are examples that show she is right about her strengths? What else is she good at? When does she show leadership? Explain why Penelope thinks, “I’ve learned that Fifi is a force of nature.” (Chapter 38)
10. What role do muses serve at Anaximander’s? What is Fifi’s muse, Frankie, like? How do they get along? Contrast Frankie with Penelope’s muse, Calliope. What is Calliope like? What is her role in Greek mythology? When do the muses help their students?

Flagged Passages: Read a sample of this book on its Amazon page.

Read This If You Love: Greek mythology

Recommended For:

**Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 1/26/26

February 1, 2026January 26, 2026 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

Happy reading!

Tuesday: The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell

Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

I am in Chicago for the ALA Youth Media Awards since I am the administrative assistant for the 2026 Caldecott Award. Tune in today at 10 a.m. CT to see all the award winners and honors!

Even without me posting, you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off; see you next week!

Wednesday: The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff

and

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite by Christyne Morrell

January 20, 2026 by Kellee

The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite
Author: Christyne Morrell
Published February 24, 2026 by Delacorte Press

Summary: In this middle-grade mystery, a twelve-year-old obsessed with Agatha Christie suspects every guest at her mother’s bed-and-breakfast of hiding secrets. That is until a real crime rocks the quaint B&B, and her mother is framed for it.

When the wealthy Willoughby family checks into her mother’s bed-and-breakfast for the weekend, Amber Adler is certain a crime is going to be committed right under their roof. And she should know—she’s read every Agatha Christie novel in the library and her father is a world-famous detective. Sure, Amber has made a few false accusations (and once got the SWAT team sent to her math teacher’s house), but this time, she’s positive that one of their guests is up to no good.

So it comes as no surprise to Amber when someone steals a priceless ruby belonging to the crotchety Willoughby patriarch. But what she didn’t expect was for her mother to be framed for it. Now, Amber must call on everything she knows about solving mysteries to find the stone and catch the real culprit before the family checks out—and learn that sometimes, people are the greatest mystery of all.

About the Author: When she’s not writing for kids, Christyne Morrell is busy raising one. She is a corporate attorney, and in her spare time enjoys reading, baking, and watching House Hunters marathons. She lives with her family in Decatur, Georgia. Kingdom of Secrets is her debut novel. Visit her online at christynewrites.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @christynewrites.

Review: Amber is always looking for crimes to solve, even when there is no true crime, but when she overhears a phone conversation about a crime by someone staying at her bed and breakfast, she knows this time there is truly a crime, and she is going to be the one that solves it. But this crime is different than she guessed but still full of twists & turns.

My middle schoolers are always looking for murder mysteries, but so many of them are teen; I am so glad that there are more and more middle school ones coming out, including this one. A truly fun middle grade mystery!

Educators’ Tools for Navigation: This book has so much that educators can use to expand on it!

First, I love that the author/publisher included a suspect tracker in the end. I WISH I had noticed it at the beginning because I would have loved to have utilized it, so I want to make sure educators know about it because it would be so much fun to take notes along with Amber.

Second, there are so many fun word play times throughout the book. For example, Amber would hear “betrayal” when it was actually “bee trail.” There would be some fun word games that you could do with this.

Lastly, with Amber being obssessed with Agatha Christie, there were definitely allusions to Christie’s work throughout.

Discussion Questions:

What predictions did you make while reading? What clues made you make these predictions? Were your predictions correct?
Do you think Amber’s mom has justification to be upset with Amber throughout the book?
What do you think is the biggest mistake that Amber made throughout her investigation?
Why do you think Amber didn’t want a sidekick?
Why do you think E.B. trusted Amber so much?
Do you think Amber really thought her father was a investigator like Sherlock Holmes or do you think she had tricked herself into believing it?

Flagged Passages/Spreads:

Chapter 1
Friday, 12:00 p.m.
(16 hours earlier)

I nudge the door open, and it releases a long, slow wail. This building is hundreds of years old, and it acts its age—everything creaks and moans and rattles. Everything makes a fuss. But all that racket makes my job easier, so I can’t complain.

I’m wearing all black, down to my ballet flats. The only glint of color comes from the gold name tag pinned to my shirt with Amber Adler etched in block letters. I creep silently into the room and flit from place to place, my toes barely grazing the floor as my eyes dart around, taking in every detail—the disheveled bed, the damp towels strewn on lampshades, the bottles littering the desk, leaking sticky puddles of who-knows-what onto the antique wood.

I unzip the black faux leather pouch around my waist and remove a pair of latex gloves. I slide them onto my hands one at a time, snapping them at the wrists to make sure they’re good and tight. They release a puff of sterile powder into the air. I run a fingertip over every surface—nightstands, doorknobs, windowsills—then examine the residue in the light. Messy, yes. But not criminal.

I make my way into the adjoining bathroom. Like the rest of the place, it’s in disarray. I shake my head, and as I do, something near the floorboards catches my eye. The light spilling out of the vintage sconces glints off a shard of metal.

“Well, well, well,” I mutter to myself. “What do we have here?”

I crouch down for a closer look. The object is small but incredibly sharp. I count four blades jutting from its squat handle, each one angled and gleaming. I know I shouldn’t smile—not in the midst of an active crime scene—but I can’t help myself. From my pouch, I remove a plastic evidence bag with a ziplock top. I carefully pluck the weapon from the floor and drop it inside. “Gotcha.”

I rise and spin on my heel, prepared to disappear as silently as I’d arrived. But first, for a split second, I’m confronted by my own reflection in the bathroom mirror—reddish-blond hair scraped back into a messy bun, with escaped strands waving around my face like Medusa’s serpents; an all-black ensemble designed to escape notice; and permanently narrowed eyes overshadowed by two thick brows known to have a life of their own. It’s a good thing I work in the shadows.

And then I see something else in the reflection—or rather, I don’t see something in the reflection—and my eyes grow wide as I realize what’s missing. “Eep!” I squeal louder than I should. But that doesn’t matter now. The time for sneaking around has passed. On to my favorite part: the big reveal.

I burst out of the room and onto the landing at the top of the stairs. My entrance gets everyone’s attention, as it’s meant to. At the bottom of the staircase, three heads turn to face me, all wearing matching looks of confusion. I barrel toward them, not caring anymore if the decrepit wood snaps, crackles, and pops with every step.

“Amber?” says Mom. Her brief moment of confusion has passed. Now she’s giving me a silent warning with her eyes. Not again, she’s saying without saying it.

Read This If You Love: Secrets of the Broken House and all books by Taryn Souders, The World’s Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson, Undercover Latina bby Aya de León, Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

Recommended For:

**Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review!**

Author’s Guest Post: “Teaching Dual Perspectives Through Adventure Stories”by Sarah Branson, Author of For the Love of Glitter & A Pirates’ Pact

January 18, 2026 by Kellee

“Teaching Dual Perspectives Through Adventure Stories”

One of the quiet joys of writing for middle-grade readers is witnessing how fully they step into a story. Young readers don’t hover at the edges—they immerse themselves. They imagine what they would do, what choices they might make, and how differently those choices might turn out.

This becomes especially powerful when a story offers more than one perspective.

In my middle-grade novel, A Pirates’ Pact, twin brothers Kik and Mac navigate challenges that stretch them—sometimes together, sometimes apart. Although the story is written in close third person, readers are given a front-row seat to how differently each boy interprets the same moment. Kik tends to observe, reflect, and question, while Mac leaps, tests boundaries, and charges ahead. Their contrasting instincts reveal not only who they are as individuals, but how perspective shapes story.

For teachers and librarians, this contrast is an opportunity: dual perspectives naturally spark conversations about point of view, empathy, voice, and character motivation.

Why Teach Dual Perspectives?

It deepens empathy.

Students begin to understand that even people who care deeply for one another experience the world differently. This opens doors to discussions about intention, impact, and the many ways identity shapes perception.

It strengthens comprehension.

Comparing two interpretations of the same event helps students practice inference, identify bias, and attend to textual clues—skills essential as they progress toward more complex texts.

It supports writing craft.

Once students see how worldview shapes voice, they begin to use it intentionally in their own writing. They hear the difference in pacing, tone, and vocabulary when they slip into another character’s skin.

Mini-Lesson: How Would the Other Character Tell This Scene?

Choose a short, high-tension moment from A Pirates’ Pact—for example, when the boys break a treasured family heirloom and uncover a hidden piece of a map.

After reading together, ask students:

What does Kik believe just happened?
How does Mac interpret it?
What assumptions does each brother make about the other?

Then invite students to rewrite the scene from the other brother’s perspective.

As they write, students quickly discover:

how word choice shifts with personality,
how pacing reflects impulsiveness or caution,
how emotional tone changes the entire moment.

This often opens into a personal reflection:
How do you see events differently from your siblings, friends, or classmates—and what value lives in those differences?

Classroom Project: Two Voices, One Story

Have students write a short narrative (1–2 pages) from two viewpoints—siblings, teammates, rivals, or even two sides of the same protagonist (the brave self vs. the uncertain self).

Encourage them to explore:

what each voice wants,
what each misunderstands,
how the conflict shifts when both perspectives matter.

This project helps reluctant writers focus not on inventing an entire story, but on exploring interpretation. The heart of the work lies in how each character experiences the moment.

Why Adventure Stories Enhance Perspective Work

Adventure applies pressure—and pressure reveals character.

When students watch two characters navigate the same storm, literal or metaphorical, they begin to understand that perspective is not an ornament; it is the engine of story. Kik and Mac model how two people can move through the same world and come away with entirely different truths.

This is fertile ground for literacy learning, SEL conversations, and writing craft exploration.

Classroom Connections

A Pirates’ Pact can be used to support discussions about sibling dynamics and interpretation, point-of-view analysis, comparing character motivations, writing voice exploration, empathy, and social–emotional learning. It also pairs well with books like Wonder (multiple perspectives & empathy), Because of Mr. Terupt (group POV), and The View From Saturday (interwoven voices).

Final Thoughts

Stories give students a safe place to practice perspective—one of the most essential skills they will ever learn. Over and over, young readers tell me how much they love slipping between Kik and Mac’s viewpoints, and how those shifts help them better understand their own lives.

If you bring A Pirates’ Pact into your classroom or library—or if you’d like discussion guides or additional activities—I’m always happy to share. I hope your readers find their own unexpected connections as they explore these two voices, one story.

Published February 20, 2024 by Sooner Started Press

About the Book: Two brothers, a hidden secret, and an adventure of a lifetime.

On the pirate island of Bosch, almost eleven-year-old twins Kik and Mac are facing a storm of changes. With a father from Edo and a Bosch mother, the brothers navigate the challenges of identity, friendship, and family in their own unique ways.

Mac, daring and mischievous, finds himself in a whirlwind of trouble as he strives to impress new friends. Meanwhile, Kik, quiet and observant, grapples with his heritage and a heartfelt secret he’s not ready to share.

When a ball thrown in anger fractures a family heirloom, a hidden piece of a pirate treasure map emerges, setting them on a quest that will shake up their relationship and reshape their understanding of family.

A Pirates’ Pact is a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the enduring strength of family ties. Will Kik’s and Mac’s pact withstand the challenges ahead? Embark on this middle grade adventure where bonds are forged, secrets are unveiled, and treasures go beyond gold and jewels.

Published September 29, 2025 by Sooner Started Press

About the Book: A rebellious heart. A tempestuous romance. A plot that could bring down a nation. In Bosch, loyalty isn’t just earned—it’s tested.

Grey Shima has her future all planned graduate, enlist, and follow in the footsteps of her fearless mother, Master Commander Kat Wallace. But when Grey meets the magnetic and passionate Edmund Sinclair, her world tilts.

He’s not just another boy with good hair and dangerous ideas—he’s a revolutionary, dead set on exposing the ugly truth behind the glittering power that fuels Bosch. Caught between love and legacy, Grey finds herself questioning her training, her purpose, and her heart.

But she’s not alone. Sy Mercer, Grey’s best friend, has stood by her side throughout her childhood. Smart, steady, and secretly in love with her, Sy sees the danger Grey can’t—or won’t—acknowledge. As Grey spirals deeper into a movement that may not be what it seems, Sy must confront his own fears and decide how far he’s willing to go to protect her… even if it means losing her.

Because love, like revolution, is rarely without sacrifice.

In a postapocalyptic world rebuilding from ruin, For the Love of Glitter is a YA speculative romance about betrayal, resistance, and finding your true north—even when everything else is falling apart.

About the Author: Award-winning author Sarah Branson was a midwife for close to thirty years, helping families welcome their little ones into their arms in the hospital, at a birth center, and at home. Now she writes feminist speculative fiction with plenty of action, adventure, revenge, and romance. Her stories are firmly rooted in the strength and resiliency of the human spirit.

Sarah first started conjuring stories of pirates when her family hopped a freighter to Australia when she was seven. As a child and as an adult, she traveled extensively across the US and the globe. Her children grew up in Northern Michigan, swimming in Sturgeon Bay and Little Traverse Bay. Over the years, she has worked as a receptionist, retail clerk, writing tutor, business owner, and certified nurse midwife. She also taught science and history to middle school and high school students in the U.S., Brazil, and Japan. Through these myriad experiences, Sarah developed a deep appreciation for people’s strength and endurance.

Her debut novel, A Merry Life, has been honored as the 2022 Connecticut Adult Fiction winner by the Indie Author Project, and was the 2022 Kindle Book Award winner for science fiction and was named a 2022 Book of the Year finalist in the action/adventure and science fiction categories by the Independent Author Network. It is the first book in the four-book new adult series Pirates of New Earth. The second book in the series, Navigating the Storm was a finalist for The Eric Hoffer Award. The series was followed by a young adult spin-off, Unfurling the Sails, a finalist for the 2023 Foreword Indies Award and for the 2024 Independent Author Network in both action/adventure and young adult categories. In 2024, A Pirates’ Pact, her first middle-grade book, was released and garnered a Best Book Cover Page Turner Award. A stand-alone novel North Country, A Kat Wallace Adventure, was released in January 2025. Her latest book For the Love of Glitter was released in September 2025.

Readers can connect with Sarah Branson on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

To learn more, visit SarahBranson.com

Thank you, Sarah, for this lesson!