Career Day at Heritage Intermediate

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend Career Day at Heritage Intermediate School — and I had a blast. It was a banner day for me in so many ways. First, I love the opportunity to talk to my readers. But more than that, the Career Day was my first in person appearance after publishing 7th Grade Revolution … in … Read More

Baby Sloths

As many of you know, I have a great affection for sloths — especially my character Sergio, so they always get my attention in my social media feeds. When I saw this video of sloths being treated for mange and how darling they looked in their little “onsies”, I couldn’t help but share. It makes me want to work on … Read More

Did the Search for Nessie Help Save Sergio?

On the face of it, Cryptozoologists* and wildlife conservation scientists** don’t have much in common. Cryptozoology is widely considered a pseudoscience because its enthusiasts don’t follow conventional scientific methods while searching for monsters and mythological creatures, like Nessie and Bigfoot, which are also known as cryptids. Most conservation scientists don’t want to be associated with monsters and monster-hunting, but are … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 24

After Sergio and the crew arrived home, Luna clung to Sergio like she’d never let him go. He told her he had BIG news from Santa and her eyes grew huge. Next thing we knew, a helicopter flying overhead descended and Santa came down on a rope. Hopping off, he greeted Sergio, Luna, Rin, Ella, Bobo, Finn, Jagger, Sandy, and … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 23

After decorating the tree for the woodland creatures, the crew set off for home. After flying for an hour, Sergio became worried. They didn’t seem to be getting closer to anything they should know. He double-checked with Rin and Ella, who agreed they were off course. Rather than panic, Sergio thought about all the Christmas stories he had read, and … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 22

On the way back home, Sergio and the crew stopped to decorate a tree so the woodland critters would have something pretty to look at for Christmas. Just after they finished decorating the tree, the snow stopped and they stood soaking in the moment. Something about standing on new-fallen snow looking at the beauty of the glimmering tree filled them … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 21

Communications from the North Pole have been a little sluggish over the past couple days. I guess Santa’s internet is probably struggling under the weight of last minute requests as he is getting for presents. Plus I’m sure the elves are updating the naughty and nice database constantly, just in case Santa needs to change out the gift for a … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 20

When the presents had all been delivered, Sergio turned the sleigh toward home as snow softly fell from the sky. As they journeyed on, the flurries grew greater and they spied a great place to build a snowman. Huffing and puffing after making the big snowballs, Sergio lifted his nose in the air to catch the snowflakes as they fell … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 19

When Sergio climbed back up the chimney to give the all-clear, Rin, Bobo, Ella, Jagger, and Finn brought the presents through the back door, which had been left unlocked. Rin snickered at all the soot on Sergio’s elf clothes, while Finn grabbed a brush and dusted him off. At a crack from the logs in the fireplace, Ella scampered and … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 18

After arriving at the North Pole for their mission briefing, Sergio and the gang talked Santa into allowing them to deliver a few of the packages. Rin hooted when Sergio out-talked Santa … because Santa was going to say no, but Sergio reminded him that they needed to practice for their mission. Santa had planned to send one of the … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 17

When all the critters arrived, Luna was running around making sure they were all bundled up for their trip. Ella fit perfectly into Luna’s thick knitted beanie and quickly shaped it into a snug little nest. Her nose and eyes peeked out over the brim. Bobo giggled and danced with glee at how the doll’s raincoat fit, then he pretended … Read More

Sloth on a Shelf – Day 16

When Sergio returned from his visit with the Captain of the Guard at Toyland, he waltzed into the house twirling the ends of his mustache. What is his obsession with fake hair anyway??? First the blonde wig and now a mustache? Luna immediately demanded that he remove the mustache. Sergio stopped mid-twirl. Sergio: But Luna, I had to put on … Read More