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"I don't know about you, but when I logon to YouTube, I usually end up spending hours clicking from video to video. It's probably not the most productive way to spend an afternoon, but it's hard to control myself when there are so many amazing vloggers (video bloggers) talking about books! A couple of years ago I wrote A Beginner's Guide to BookTube, in which I highlighted some of my favorite channels and videos. Since then, so many new book lovers have joined the ranks and some previously small and unknown channels have grown to epic proportions. Choosing just ten favorites was hard and I spend hours agonizing over this list, but I'm happy with the result. Without further ado, here are my top ten favorite BookTube channels in no particular order:"

"The collection of prompts below asks young writers to think through real or imagined events, their emotions, and a few wacky scenarios. Try out the ones you think will resonate most with your students.  As with all prompts, inform students that their answers should be rated G and that disclosing dangerous or illegal things they're involved in will obligate you to file a report with the administration or school counselors. Finally, give students the option of writing "PERSONAL" above some entries that they don't want anyone to read. We all need to let scraggly emotions run free in our prose sometimes."

"Writing Sparks is a series of inspirational writing challenges for your whole class."

"It can be a challenge to get middle schoolers interested in reading. The thought of tackling a thick novel can be overwhelming, especially during distance learning. Short stories are always a great choice."

In this lesson, students examine the poetry of Amanda Gorman, who was chosen to read her poem "The Hill We Climb" at President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021. Gorman's poem will complement Biden's message and themes of "unity."

"And so last night I made the decision that I have been pulled toward for a long time. The Global Read Aloud will be back, albeit a bit more streamlined, but it will happen in 2021. I feel a bit like a flake, like I played with a lot of people's emotions, but in June it didn't feel possible, now it does. And I hope you can forgive me for that."

"If we don't rethink writing instruction… we are in danger of writing assignments, from students' responses to teachers' grading, being untouched by human hands and unseen by human eyes."