Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 3h“This Newbery Honor book is a favorite for teaching media literacy, point of view, and the difference between what’s technically true and what’s actually accurate,” says ReadingVine about my novel Nothing But the Truth. Definitely timely topics to talk over with young readers! bit.ly/4zppKda 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 13/10/2026Sometimes language hangs on to old phrases and repurposes them, though if you check closely, they don’t always make sense. Read more: bit.ly/4AYpTWB 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026My recent novel The Road from Nowhere is set during 1893 when America was facing a severe economic crisis. How does the reality of 1893 look when matched against financial issues so many American families are currently facing? Challenge young readers to do a compare/contrast activity. bit.ly/3Mbfv9d 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 06/10/2026My first book, Things that Sometimes Happen, and the story of how it was published after being turned down by seven publishers (maybe more). It has stayed in print for 56 years. Read the story behind the story: bit.ly/4dQDR2U 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 01/10/2026October is a great month to tempt young readers with books full of thrills and chills! Fortunately, my website lists my titles by category (among other things). Spooky tales are a fan favorite. Just click books/categories/ghost stories on the menu to serve up some scary stories. www.avi-writer.com 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I believe that when illustrations and text meld into a uniform book, you get the richest reading pleasure possible. Let's take a look at some examples, along with news of my newest illustrated book. #illustrations #NCWyeth #ErnestHShepard #JohnTenniel #WWDenslow bit.ly/4yrTczo 021
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 24/09/2026When I do school visits I discuss my challenges with dysgraphia. Students with similar challenges learn I’ve found success as both a writer and a reader despite that fact! Here are resources you might find helpful for your students. My Visits: bit.ly/3HVI9p9 Dyslexia Awareness: bit.ly/46zDmGx 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026People often ask me (as I assume they ask other writers) “What is the process by which you create one of your novels?” Read more: bit.ly/3TF5N2V 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Can you name the subject of what has been referred to as “the most important piece of writing in the history of capitalism”? Check out the Story Behind the Story for my novel City of Magic to learn more! Story Behind the Story: bit.ly/3DvquDw City of Magic: bit.ly/3HP7wdO 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026The notion of writers inventing words is intriguing. I’m quite sure I have never done so. (Bad spelling doesn’t count.) Here's an invitation to invent a word. Inventing Words: bit.ly/3UQvded 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 10/09/2026If you’re working with a reluctant reader, audiobooks can be a great way to grab their interest! Just as one example, here’s the engaging audiobook preview for my novel City of Orphans. Audiobook preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=imyi... City of Orphans: bit.ly/3FWLkw3 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 08/09/2026I am having one of those great crises that all book lovers reach at some point: I am moving, downsizing, and must get rid of some of my books. #downsizing #bookcollection #reading bit.ly/4iS3N1i 030
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 03/09/2026If you are published professionally, you are going to be critiqued professionally. Grateful to readers who post reviews. Karen Reeder, about The Road from Nowhere: “From a master of storytelling comes a new family adventure of growth and friendship in a unique historical setting." bit.ly/3Mbfv9d 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 01/09/2026This summer I asked 13 writers what advice they would give to those young (and older) folks who would like to become a writer. With apologies to all the writers for leaving out so much of their thoughtful essays, I’ve compiled a quick highlight of their always meaningful suggestions. bit.ly/4gCJbri 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 27/08/2026One of the most common questions I get from young readers is how I think of my ideas. I regularly feature the “Story Behind the Story” on my website! As an example, here’s one to share with your students about the two titles that make up my Beyond the Western Sea duology. bit.ly/4gh1Vh3 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 25/08/2026From author Tricia Springstubb: "My best stories, my truest stories, the ones I stick with all the way to The End — they grow out of my head for sure. But they also grow out of my heart." Read Tricia's essay: bit.ly/3S8F4v1 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 20/08/2026So you don't miss any of my posts, I invite you to follow me on Substack! My pieces feature writing advice (from other writers as well as myself), classroom resources for my books, and behind-the-scenes details about how I come up with my stories. Subscribe: there's no fee. substack.com/@aviwriter 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Author Debra J. Stone shares: "I am still passionate about reading, and it’s an important practice in becoming an excellent writer. And as I developed as a writer, I found myself listening to elders telling their stories." #writingadvice #reading #writing bit.ly/45yzIfE 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 13/08/2026My novel Catch You Later, Traitor is set 75 years ago, during a volatile political time in the US: McCarthyism and the “Red Scare.” The book presents classroom discussion topics relevant to current times but may be less heated because the focus is on a different era in history. bit.ly/42TwgsN 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 11/08/2026This week, Sharon G. Flake shares, "Yes, writing can be hard work. Yes, sometimes I want to pull my hair out as I wrestle with a scene or trickly character arc. But I wouldn’t choose any other career." Read Sharon's advice for writers: bit.ly/4q5Z91i 021
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 06/08/2026My short story collection Strange Happenings was re-released on 7/21, with a new story and a new cover! I hope the new story meets with the same warm reception as the original. Booklist ⭐ review: “Great choices for sharing aloud in class or as inspiration in creative-writing units.” bit.ly/4vEV8C4 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Linda Williams Jackson shares, "I had been refusing to work on a manuscript that, not one, but two, agents had been imploring me to draft." Read her essay: bit.ly/4g9Kmzf 011
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Here's an older essay called “Visiting classrooms.” My first classroom visit as an author was in 1970—a fact that’s hard to grasp, as both the students and I still get so much out of these chances to interact directly. Learn more about my author visits: bit.ly/4gReCjo 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 28/07/2026From Brian Floca, "writing is a way of thinking, a way of figuring things out, and in the genuine work of writing and rewriting (and rewriting) you will begin to understand your true priorities and hopes for your writing." Brian Floca's article: bit.ly/4x1ghaL 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 23/07/2026My recounting of the evolution of the short story collection Strange Happenings, newly in its third rendition, now with a new short story and illustrations by Devin Forst, published by Clarion Books. bit.ly/4vJozD4 @harperkids.bsky.social #shortstories #scarystories 030
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Today is publication day for the newly updated Strange Happenings: Spine-Tingling Tales (by Avi). The publisher is offers a sale price in celebration. bit.ly/4wkXuaA Devin Forst illustrated this new version. Avi wrote a never-before-published story, contributed an author's note. bit.ly/4vEV8C4 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 21/07/2026From author Mike Jung, "The act of writing has a whole lot of layers, you know? It’s a creative art, and creating art can be really fun and absorbing. Creating art is also work, though, and working on a project can be tiring and frustrating. However ..." Don't miss this essay! bit.ly/4fckO4h 110
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 16/07/2026By way of definition, a short story could simply be a story that is, well, short. Ah, but how short? Or how long? Read more: bit.ly/4vwuCuQ 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 14/07/2026In this week's essay, Joyce Sidman begins: "The first thing I would say is: if you wish to become a writer, sit down and write. Whenever you can. Fit it in around your friends and sports and classes." bit.ly/4aQtGtI 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 09/07/2026I’ve been highlighting my Revolutionary War novels — but there are many other fascinating periods of American history! Some of my books feature well-known events, such as the Civil War, but others explore history that will likely be new to young readers. avi-writer.com/book-categor... 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Sara Pennypacker writes: "This year, my best advice is: Be honest and be kind, but above all, be brave." Read her essay sharing advice to those who wish to be writers. #writingadvice @sarapennypacker.bsky.social Sara Pennypacker's essay: bit.ly/4wA1eF3 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Loyalty is the most recently published of my novels featuring America’s War of Independence — a title that School Library Journal’s starred review called: “A fascinating, complex and rarely seen view of the American Revolutionary War.” bit.ly/4v6rKVk 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 30/06/2026From Barbara Carroll Roberts, "We have to pay attention to the world around us, because it’s through specific, intentional details that our writing comes alive." Read the rest of Barbara's advice ... bit.ly/4v9gaZs 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 25/06/2026The Fighting Ground, set during the Revolutionary War. Kate on Kids Books: “American kids will experience what it is like when a war is fought in your own community and maybe be more sympathetic to current world events.” Kate on Kids: bit.ly/4eovuMP The Fighting Ground: bit.ly/3U6jFPj 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 23/06/2026From Gary D. Schmidt: "When St. Augustine was working on his De Rhetorica, he began by trying to define what words are — not a bad place to start. He concluded that words are signs of real things." St. Augustine, Charles Dickens, dogs, gardening, and more. bit.ly/4fWaNsJ 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026For many years, I’ve shared weekly musings with interested followers: behind-the-scenes peeks into the inspirations for my books, glimpses into my daily life. You can now access these brief pieces via Substack. Follow the link — you won’t miss a week! Subscribe on Substack: substack.com/@aviwriter 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 16/06/2026From Tracey Baptiste: "First, you need to experience a lot of stories ... To learn, you need to pay attention to the details." #AviSummerBlogSeries2026 #writing Baptiste essay: bit.ly/4xy2LfR Tracey Baptiste: www.traceybaptiste.com 040
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Father’s Day is June 21—my book The Most Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers, and Grandfathers would make a good gift or read-aloud. Book columnist Kendal A. Rautzhan described it by saying: “Equally important for fathers as it is for sons, this is a must-read.” bit.ly/3qu5lFX 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 09/06/2026"you never know the impact your work might have on others. ... I hoped for but didn’t anticipate I would hear: your characters have made my kids proud of their background, your books turned my students into readers, and most often, your work is changing lives." bit.ly/4dXjFgj @vtbidania.bsky.social 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 04/06/2026“Newbery Medalist Avi channels the mood, language, and danger of the Revolutionary War in this seamless blend of history and fiction,” PW starred review. The book has been newly released with a brand-new cover just in time for America’s 250th birthday! Read the story behind the story: bit.ly/4veVSOz 000
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 02/06/2026From Nikki Grimes: "It's one thing to imitate another writer to practice a certain technique, but when it comes to telling our own stories, it's crucial that we learn to tell them in our own way ..." bit.ly/4dKU6z3 030
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 28/05/2026It would be fun to do a compare/contrast exercise with my The Road from Nowhere bit.ly/3Mbfv9d and one of my established favorites, Gold Rush Girl bit.ly/4579aj5. Road from Nowhere features Colorado silver mining in 1893 — the older title features the California gold fields in the same century. 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 26/05/2026This week we're kicking off my Summer Blog Series 2026 ... Join us throughout the summer for 14 essays by writers I admire answering the question, "What advice can you give so I can become a writer?” bit.ly/4fIoLy4 030
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Great news: Strange Happenings, a popular collection of my short stories, is going to be reissued with an additional story on July 21. Booklist’s starred review described the original collection: “The pieces are vividly imagined and shot through with a captivating, edgy spookiness.” bit.ly/4dAkaLX 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 19/05/2026Merriam-Webster's daily blog "Word of the Day" is one that this writer finds much in which to delight. It’s not often I discover a new word. But now and again I do. bit.ly/4uXMmiQ 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Why do we read aloud to our kids? Especially those who can read to themselves? A list from the Learning Well blog of “Our 35 Favorite Family Read Alouds.” I’m delighted to find my novel Sophia’s War featured there! bit.ly/4dMu7WP Sophia's War: bit.ly/3EtVrqO Read Aloud Revival: bit.ly/4tEwKzN 010
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Many years ago, when I was just starting out as a writer, someone gave me this advice: “If you want to live as a writer, you need to be able to do two things ... In Quest of the Perfect Book: bit.ly/3RA4eBL 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Here’s a fascinating fact: the poet who wrote “America the Beautiful,” which evolved into the beloved song, was inspired to do so by taking a trip to Colorado in 1893—the very setting of my novel The Road from Nowhere! About the song: bit.ly/4tcgXrE About the book: bit.ly/3Mbfv9d 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 05/05/2026While browsing the other day in a used book store, I stopped short when I saw a Nero Wolfe mystery paperback selling for a buck. To see that book in the bookstore was like running into old friends. Which is, I think, the great attraction of series books. bit.ly/3Pm1Td1 020
Avi, writer @avi-writer.bsky.social · 30/04/2026Great company for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle: “All of these books I read after the age of 30. However, the fact that a 30-something can enjoy a bunch of kid books says a lot about their potential for enduring appeal.” bit.ly/4uey1yc 140