My free close reading lesson is on Teachers Pay Teachers!  I used this lesson with two of my reading groups...one fourth grade and one fifth grade group.  I was even observed by my Language Arts Coordinator during one of my group's sessions.  It was a huge success!

If you would like to use it, go to TPT and look up Maria LaPlaca Bohrer.  It's free!!!

I must give my daughter, Erica Bohrer, a TPT professional seller for setting me up on the site.  I couldn't have done it without her.  She is amazing!

BACCA Book Signing...

Second Book Signing at the BACCA Center in Lindenhurst

If you missed my first book signing, please come to my second...it's tomorrow, Sunday, March 2nd at 2pm at the BACCA  (Babylon Cultural Arts Center) on North Wellwood Avenue. Hope to see you there!

Book Launch at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library Today

TODAY WAS MY FIRST BOOK SIGNING!!!

Sofia's Stoop Story: 18th Street, Brooklyn's first book signing at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library was a huge success. (Despite technical difficulties.)  I was touched to see so many people attend. Former students who are adults now, current students, colleagues, friends, parents, former neighbors, and even my former Language Arts Coordinator, Chris Nagle, came all the way from Larchmont!  Thank you to all who attended.  I am blessed to know so many wonderful people.  And a GREAT big thank you to Robby for my beautiful roses!  And another HUGE thank you to my publisher's entire family for selling the books!  Thank you Jude, Francine, Jude, Dominick, and Anna!!! 

Sofia's Stoop Story made the Children's Book Council list: It's About Time!

Exciting news for Sofia's Stoop Story!

Blue Marlin Publications shared a link.

It's About Time!!!

The Children's Book Council has made a winter Seasonal Showcase list of children's books that explore the many facets of time -- time travel, historical fiction, history, the passage of time, counting, and so much more! Sofia's Stoop Story is listed alongside Eileen Spinelli's Now It Is Summer. You can view the full list here: http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/about-time/

About Time! | Book Lists | Children's Book Council

www.cbcbooks.org

Yesterday, February 10th was the official release date of my first children's book!  My publisher, Francine Poppo Rich at Blue Marlin Publications sent me a text message to congratulate me and tell me that I am officially a published author.  Wasn't that so sweet of her!  I couldn't be happier.  Blue Marlin Publications should be receiving the entire order of books next week...so anyone who ordered a book directly from them, Amazon.com, or Barnsandnoble.com, please be patient.  A special thank you to Francine, Blue Marlin Publications, Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson for making my dream a reality!!!

My publisher sent Carl Furillo, Jr. two copies of my book...one for him and one for his brother.  This morning, he surprised me with a phone call.  What a personable guy!  (But, I already knew that, we have spoken before.)

Carl told me that he is not an emotional person, but the story brought tears to his eyes.  He said he loves the warmth of the whole story, the Italian family, and the stoop.  He said it brought back childhood memories of his days living in NY.  And he loves Uncle Frankie's story of his dad.  We talked about Filomena, (which was his grandmother's name) one of the store owners in the book.  Carl said that his dad loved his mother dearly.  He told me that she was heartbroken when her son, Carl Sr., went away to play baseball.  Oh, and Carl told me that he loves the illustrations...as we all do!

Today he is going to bring his copy of the book to share with his mom who will be 92 on Tuesday.  I hope Mrs. Furillo enjoys reading it, especially Uncle Frankie's story about her dear husband, Brooklyn Dodger, Carl Furillo.

I was truly touched that Carl Furillo, Jr. took the time to call me and share his feelings about Sofia's Stoop Story.