Author Archives: Danielle Murphy

Some may know the phrase “something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read” to guide Christmas gift buyers, instructing them to purchase something their recipient wants, something they need, clothes for them to wear, and a book for them to read.

The holiday season—often thought of as the Christmas season—is a time of giving, family, and charity for many people. However, we sometimes forget, as we give thanks for our friends, families, and neighbors, to also celebrate what makes us unique. Many different holidays occur this time of year, and, of course, some cultures and religionsContinue reading “5 Non-Christmas Books For Your Winter Holiday Reading List”

The South Carolina Department of Education once referred to the engaged reader as someone who is “fully immersed physically, mentally, and emotionally” in their reading material.1 But what is an engaged reader really? Of course, we know a reader is someone who reads. In this case, a reader is someone who is reading a book, a piece of literature. But how is one engaged with the literature they are reading? And why is engagement important?

I still remember the peaceful nights of my childhood. Every evening, my mother would sit between my sister and I and read us a bedtime story. We had an impressive collection of picture books back in the day, and my mother, waiting for us in bed, would allow each of us to select one storyContinue reading “In Honor of the Picture Books I Once Loved”

While reading is beneficial for everyone, it is remarkably important for children and students as they develop and ascend through the levels of education. Reading assists kids’ growth as learners and people, improving their emotional intelligence and imagination, as well as strongly influencing their academic success.

Parents and teachers alike know the struggle well: making kids read is an undertaking akin to getting an energetic puppy to stay still. With television, social media, video games, and good old-fashioned playtime to distract them, the modern kid has a plethora of entertainment options that are, quite frankly, more fun than sitting inside andContinue reading “10 Ways to Encourage Kids to Read”

It’s scientifically proven that people love to be frightened, and, as Halloween approaches, people now more than ever seek a good scare. Movie production companies release more movies in October than any other month,1 a testament to film’s status as one of the most popular forms of horror media. However, to some, horror movies areContinue reading “Oh, the Horror! How Horror Novels Compare to Movies”

Books guide their readers on a journey. From the beginning through the end, readers observe the characters as they navigate and ultimately overcome the central conflict of the story (the plot), usually arriving at some lesson or theme. However, when one looks closer at a book—beyond the plot, conflict, and characters—a whole new subtext ofContinue reading “How to Level Up Your Reading (with Close Reading)”

The pen is mightier than the sword. Books are not only an age-old form of entertainment; they are a strong driver of social change. Books—even the most far-fetched fantasy—reflect real life, challenging and reinforcing opinions, social injustices, and stereotypes, positive and negative. Many books emerge in response to upsetting events or in times of socialContinue reading “The Power of the Pen: How Books Drive Social Change”