Kathryn Erskine, Author
NEWS!!
FACING FREEDOM
(Scholastic 2013)
THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE
(Philomel 2011)
MOCKINGBIRD
(PhilomeL 2010)
QUAKING
(Philomel 2007)
5/13/13 The Absolute Value of Mike is nominated for YALSA’s “Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults” in the humor category!
5/8/13 Poetic Tools for Writing Emotion, Part 1 and Part 2, with thanks to Jen Bailey, MFA, for using Quaking to illustrate her points! :o)
5/7/13 Beautiful (and very useful) review of Mockingbird -- thanks, Brian!
5/6/13 The Absolute Value of Mike is on a list of books (from 1792 - 2012) specifically set in Western Pennsylvania -- what fun!
4/30/13 Mockingbird nominated for the Sasquatch Award -- thanks, state of Washington!
4/27/13 See my blog post for the story behind the story of my upcoming novel, SEEING RED.
Click on “Books” above to see cover of SEEING RED!
4/26/13 Congratulations and thank you to Kenadi Swendsen for the beautiful--and winning--letter she wrote about Mockingbird!
Level 2 Winner
Dear Kathryn Erskine,
I had never read a book that has changed the way I look at the people around me, until I picked up Mockingbird. Before starting this book, I was (to put it bluntly) a jerk to the people around me. I had never stepped into someone else’s shoes before, and I was quick to judge others. I hated to think about how others felt or how they were treated by the people around them. To be honest, I would rather sit in my little selfish world and complain about my life.
All of that changed one day, at a Scholastic Book Fair at my school, when I saw this book sitting on a shelf. It didn’t look as flashy or shiny as the other books, but for some reason, I felt in my heart that I needed to read this book. When I looked at the summary on the back cover, I cringed. It forced me to think about how I treated Marie (name changed) a girl in my class who has autism. Still, the promptings in my heart told me to read it. I bought the book and as soon as I got home, I began to read.
At first, I didn’t understand how Caitlin looked at the world. But in a few minutes, I became conscious of the fact that I was in her shoes. I started to understand the way everything seemed to her. I understood why she didn’t understand emotions, and throughout the book, I thought about Marie. Occasionally, I would put down the book and understand the girl’s thoughts and why she acted the way she did. I read about Emma, Mia, Anna and Laura, the popular girls at Caitlin’s school, thinking, “How could anyone be so mean?” and I became aware that I was the Emma in Marie’s life. I tried to be nice, but then I would just turn around and ignore her, so she was confused. I answered my own question: “I could.”
Three days later, I finished the book. After reading the last page, I put down the book, stunned. I had finished the book. What now? I thought about how the book applies to my life. I thought about Marie, and how I treated her. I finally comprehended that not only did I ignore Marie, I ignored everyone! I was determined from that point on that I was going to change my ways, and my selfish attitude towards other. I immediately tried to say something kind to my classmates every day.
A couple of months later, I reflected about how I had changed my life, and I realized that I was a happier, more optimistic person. I went to school, and I didn’t focus on flaws anymore, I would look at someone and think, “Wow, he or she is just the kindest person ever!” I could find something positive in everyone. I made a lot more friends, and Marie even walked up to me one day and said, “I used to think that you were so mean, but now that I’ve met you, you’re really nice!”
Now, I am still like that, I seek the light in everyone. By reading this book, I have learned a valuable, lifelong lesson: that you don’t judge a book by its cover, in fact, you shouldn’t judge at all! I never thought that I would or could step into another’s shoes, and yet here I am!
In closing, I would just like to say thank you for writing this book, which has changed not only my life, but also the lives of everyone who picks it up.
Sincerely,
Kenadi Swendsen
4/22/13 Happy Earth Day! Also, a happy day for me because here’s the link to my new book!
3/27/13 Common Sense Media gives Mockingbird 5 stars for teaching empathy.
3/27/13 Thanks to all the students and organizers of the Racine/Kenosha English Festival -- what a wonderful event!
3/27/13 Using The Absolute Value of Mike as a read-aloud.
3/14/13 A teacher’s view of Mockingbird--thanks, Sarah!
3/13/13 Fun week:
Today: Speech to school librarians
Friday: Skype with 4th graders
Sunday: Interview with SAfm, South Africa!
3/12/13 Mockingbird shortlisted for the U.K. Redbridge Book Award!
3/9/13 Click the “Resources” tab above for a (long) list of some of my favorite recent kids’ & YA books on a variety of themes.
2/28/13 Sneak preview of my next 2 books here!
2/27/13 I missed this review of Quaking --thanks, Bermuda Onion!
2/15/13 The Absolute Value of Mike is a 2014 Sequoyah (Oklahoma) Book Award nominee!
1/29/13 Mockingbird is a 2014 Illinois Book Award (Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Book Award) nominee. Thank you, Illinois teachers and librarians!
1/12/13 Thanks for including Mockingbird in this great list of autism spectrum books, Nerdy Book Club!
1/11/13 Check out the latest writing prompt (click “Writing Prompt” above) :o)
1/1/13 Happy New Year, everyone!
Wishing you health, happiness, and great reading in 2013!
I’m excited that SEEING RED (Scholastic) is coming out this year, and that I’m working on many more books.
And here are some reviews from my blog of recent or 2013 books you might enjoy:
Hope’s Gift, Kelly Starling Lyons (picture book, illustrated by Don Tate)
The Center of Everything, Linda Urban (middle grade)
The Coming of the Dragon and Peaceweaver, Rebecca Barnhouse (middle grade/young adult)
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, Meg Medina (young adult)
coming soon: Operation Oleander, Valerie Patterson (middle grade/young adult)
12/9/12 Mockingbird reviews: National Geographic Kids’ blog and one from a young man -- thanks, Cam!
12/5/12 The Absolute Value of Mike review: “heartwarming and comical.” :o)
12/2/12 For information on my next book, Seeing Red (Fall 2013), check under the “Books” link above!
11/26/12 Mockingbird has been long-listed in the children’s category of the Redbridge Award, thanks to British school librarians and students!
11/22/12 I’m grateful for this Mockingbird review by a middle schooler, and for all the wonderful readers out there, in school and out. Happy Thanksgiving!
11/11/12 Thinking of all veterans and those currently in the service, with thanks. Here’s a link to my blog for some great reads for kids that have to do with service and the military. Feel free to add more!
11/11/12 Thanks, Mrs. Kalush, for giving The Absolute Value of Mike a 10 out of 10!
11/10/12 Another U.K. review of Mockingbird: I would very highly recommend it to anyone, from age 10 to 100
Thanks, Maya!
And from the U.S. -- Thanks, Annemarie!
In my opinion "Mockingbird" is must read. Most anyone would be able to relate to the feelings in this book. It also opened my eyes to the world of autism that I never really knew much about. This book really proves that just because a person has a "disability" it doesn't make them any less of a person or their emotions any less human.
10/28/12 Mockingbird review from Scotland, my old stomping grounds.
10/22/12 Here’s a useful breakdown of Mockingbird for use in the classroom and in the library.
And The Absolute Value of Mike recommendation by a librarian.
10/16/12 Thanks to Allison’s Book Bag for this great review of The Absolute Value of Mike!
10/5/12 Great Skype session with STRIVERS club in MA -- keep running, reading and striving, girls!
9/28/12 Article about The Absolute Value of Mike in a Battle of the Books blog!
9/26/12 Mockingbird is on the Battle of the Books in Alaska! I’m grateful to readers on the other side of the country for digging into this book along with some of my favorites like Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis and Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger!
9/25/12 Mockingbird recommended in Houston Family.
Mockingbird review in Notes from the Garden Spot.
Another lovely Mockingbird review.
9/16/12 Wonderful Mockingbird review from Kidd’s Thoughts, and I love this review in the Chicago Tribune by a 10 year old!
"Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine
Ten-year-old Caitlin has Asperger's syndrome, which means it's sometimes difficult for her to understand people's moods and relate to the world around her. It also means she's really smart. Caitlin's brother, Devon, has always been there to help, until a horrible tragedy occurs. Caitlin has to learn to handle life with Asperger's and without her brother.
I loved this book because it is truly inspiring. It shows how a girl with Asperger's syndrome looks at the world, which is quite different than most kids. It was interesting to see how Caitlin overcame her obstacles. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves realistic fiction, or to any child or adult looking for a good book to lie down with when it's too hot to go outside.
— London Anderson, 10, Chicago
9/13/12 Activity Guide for The Absolute Value of Mike! See page 24 of the North Carolina Book Award document.
9/12/12 From Goodreads, a list of authors
readers feel are similar to me. I’m flattered!
9/2/12 New! COMMON CORE resources for Mockingbird & The Absolute Value of Mike -- click COMMON CORE tab above.
(Thank you, Rose Reissman!)
9/2/12 Mockingbird Resources for Teachers
And a couple more Mockingbird reviews:
9/1/12 The Absolute Value of Mike is a preliminary nominee for the Truman Award!
(Missouri Book Award)
8/17/12 Mockingbird on Oprah’s List! :o)
More reviews of Mockingbird:
Library list of “Good Books with Meaning”
And check out this list of great reoad trip / audio books, including The Absolute Value of Mike:
North Castle Children’s Corner
8/2/12 Mockingbird is a New Jersey (Garden State) book award nominee! Thank you, you beautiful Garden State!
8/1/12 Reviews of Mockingbird and The Absolute Value of Mike:
and a book review from New Zealand!
7/24/12 My radio essay will be on WVTF tonight or you can find it here anytime!
7/23/12 Recent reviews of The Absolute Value of Mike and Mockingbird. :o)
7/22/12 My post on revisions--and finishing that manuscript!--on the WriterHouse Blog.
7/14/12 Thanks to the Active Happiness blog for hosting me!
7/12/12 Mockingbird is a South Carolina Book Award Nominee! Thanks, SC!
Some recent reviews of Mockingbird
and of The Absolute Value of Mike
Hooray for Books summer reading list
Readin’, Riting’, but not much Rithmatic (actually, this last one is about both Mike and Mockingbird)
7/10/12 Thanks for another fun interview, Priscilla!
6/28/12 Thanks, SCBWI, for this interview about the Crystal Kite Award!
6/27/12 An interview on AuthorTurf! This is a great site, by the way. Thanks, Brittney!
6/22/12 Fun Skype sessions with New York this week; next week Minnesota!
From Warwick’s “If You Like This...” (a totally cool bookstore in La Jolla, CA):
If you like Wonder by R.J. Palacio...
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is just the right book to follow Wonder
6/16/12 Mockingbird is a 2012-2013 Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominee -- thanks, Hawkeyes!
6/16/12 Recent Reviews:
The Absolute Value of Mike
Kids Books 101 -- “You will fall in love with the characters in this book.”
Good Tween Reads -- “Quick Reads”
and Mockingbird:
Fun with Reading and Writing -- “new favorite author” :o)
Whimsical Treasure Trove -- lovely review from a teacher
6/15/12 Back from wonderful trip to Highlights Foundation’s Boyds Mills and visits at Jefferson and Kenmore middle schools -- thanks, everyone! Photos coming on blog soon.
6/6/12 Off to Boyds Mills, PA to a Highlights Foundation Workshop, then school visits in Arlington, VA. Monday night--Jefferson Middle School. Hope to see some of you soon!
Lee and Low New Visions Award for Writers of Color -- check it out!
5/31/12 Mockingbird is a Grand Canyon nominee -- thank you, Arizona readers!
5/27/12 Mockingbird reviews on Amazon UK
and another UK review from Resolution Corner
New! COMMON CORE ELA for MOCKINGBIRD and SMT (& ELA) for THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF MIKE
