Imagine the Possibilities

Last week I was in Baltimore for the NCTE Conference. Seeing old friends, meeting new friends, words of inspiration, and finding new books to read and share were just a few of my many take-aways. But one experience, in particular, stood out.

On Thursday evening, my friend Lynne and I attended the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. I had read quite a bit about the conductor, Marin Alsop, and watched her interviews. So when I discovered that she would be conducting a concert while I was in Baltimore, I knew I had to go.

As Marin walked confidently onto the stage, the crowd erupted into a cheer, clearly pleased by her presence. Throughout the evening I watched as she used her body, hands, and facial expressions to lead. Her graceful movements conveyed exactly how she wished the music to be interpreted. There was no need for her to follow a score – the music was a part of her soul.

I sat right up front, just as I did as a child at Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra concerts where my parents were violinists. I felt the passion of the musicians while the music allowed me to wonder and wander. Music strong, music soft, harmonies and melodies combining to create a unique experience for each individual.

This musical end to a busy day was just what I needed. Thank you, Baltimore Symphony and especially, Marin Alsop. You are the inspiration for my words.

It arrived on my doorstep this week – my long awaited, preordered copy of Jen Bryant’s latest biography, Feed Your Mind: A Story of August Wilson. As I paged through it, I knew this was a book I wanted to take my time with. So, over a cup of lemon-ginger tea that afternoon, I learned the story of August Wilson, savoring every word and expressive illustration.

Title: Feed Your Mind: A Story of August Wilson

Author: Jen Bryant

Illustrator: Cannady Chapman

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2019   Non-fiction

Intended Audience: Ages 6 up

Themes: Discrimination, perseverance, writing process

Opening page: They call it “Little Harlem” – the city within a city.

A mile east of downtown, it is a mishmash,

a melting pot of workers and their kin –

Syrians, Africans, Poles, and Jews,

Irish, Haitians, Germans, and Italians –

their row homes, apartments, and shacks

jam-packed between sloping streets.

Synopsis: (from Amazon): August Wilson (1945–2005) was a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who had a particular talent for capturing the authentic, everyday voice of Black Americans. As a child, he read off soup cans and cereal boxes, and when his mother brought him to the library, his whole world opened up. After facing intense prejudice at school from both students and some teachers, August dropped out. However, he continued reading and educating himself independently. He felt that if he could read about it, then he could teach himself anything and accomplish anything.

Why I Like This Book: Here are just a few reasons I think this book is a must read:

1. Jen Bryant’s mesmerizing free-verse poetry
2. Expressive illustrations that capture the essence of the text
3. The structure of two acts, echoing that of many plays. Within each act there are a series of chapters or scenes.
4. The extensive back matter that includes an author’s note, time line, bibliography, and quotes

Resources: In addition to the back matter in the book, you can find additional resources, including a teaching guide, interviews, and videos on the author’s website (www.jenbryant.com)

I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie Story Contest. The task – tell a complete story in 100 words or less that uses the words potion, trick, and cobweb in any form. Here goes!

A Surprise for Little Owl   (99 words)

by Rose Cappelli

Little Owl and Mama lived in the gnarly oak by the house with the crooked porch. On Halloween, costumed kids scurried to the house for treats. Little Owl longed to join the fun.

“You’re too young,” said Mama. “Witches with magic potions turn little owls into crows!”

Little Owl had a trick up his wing. He wrapped himself in Spider’s cobwebs, borrowed Oriole’s nest-sack, and flew to the crooked porch where…

…a witch perched …waiting. Little Owl quivered and shivered.

The witch hoot-cackled “Hellooooo.” 

Little Owl knew that sound! A familiar feather peeked from her cape.

“Mama!” he cried.