Denver Public Library

When I was a teacher, my favorite thing to do was read aloud a book to my class. I always had great parents who would donate class sets of books. For example, one parent gave me 30 copies of Island of the Blue Dolphins. Another gave me 30 of EACH of the Little House books. My students and I were so grateful for their generosity. We'd read them together, and then we always held a class vote on which book was our favorite of the year. One year it was Al Capone Does my Shirts. One year it was The Tale of Despereaux.

I'm delighted to see The Year the Swallows Came Early in some of these mock trials around the country. I can imagine the conversations the students are having, what they liked best about the book, what they didn't like, and why.

The Denver Public Library, among others, has put Swallows on their list of books to vote on. Here's the link:

http://kids.denverlibrary.org/fun/DPLmockawards.html

Thank you to all of the teachers and librarians who have emailed me these last two months to tell me they're reading the book in their own mock trials. I am thrilled the book is being included with so many outstanding books. It means the world to me.