CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to Sandra Neil Wallace of Keene, NH. Sandra’s books “focus on people who break barriers and change the world.”

Watch a clip of Sandra’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series here.

Things to think about:

• Sandra is a changemaker – as the daughter of a refugee and concentration camp survivor, as the first member of her family to go to college, and as the first woman to broadcast an NHL game. What does the word “changemaker” mean to you?
• Many of Sandra’s books are about sports. How are athletes breaking barriers?
• Sandra collaborates on some books with her husband Rich Wallace. How does it work to research and write together?
• Sandra has two new books coming out on September 22, 2020: Marjory Saves the Everglades and The Teachers March! How Selma’s Teachers Changed History.

Here are a few ways to get to know Sandra’s work better:

• BETWEEN THE LINES: Discussion Guide and read aloud 
• FIRST GENERATION:  Discussion Guide and a podcast
• BOUND BY ICE: Discussion guide
• BLOOD BROTHER: Discussion guide
• BABE CONQUERS THE WORLD: Discussion guide
• MUCKERS: Discussion guide
• LITTLE JOE: Discussion guide

CLiF has created literacy activities for students of all ages here. Here are some that would go nicely with Sandra’s work:

For younger kids:

• Letters to Book Characters – write a letter to real or fictional character telling why you admire them
• Reading Passport – as you read books, keep a passport of where the real and fictional characters come from

For older kids:

• Character Facebook Profiles – make a profile of historical figures
• The Best Part of Me – as you read books about real or fictional characters, think about how they are similar and different from you

For families:

• Book Tasting – find biographies about your favorite people and give a sampling of the story
• Extra Extra – write newspaper articles about true people from your favorite biographies