The July issue of Talking Story focuses on Getting Ready to go back to school. In particular, Carol Baldwin and Joyce Hostetter share ideas for using their books in the classroom. They also suggest other valuable resources such as Thinking Out Loud on Paper, Writing Wizardry, and The Book Whisperer which teachers, writers, and homeschool parents will find useful.

Exploring reading and writing across the curriculum. Carol Baldwin gives specific examples for science and social studies from her book Teaching The Story. Eric Groce, professor of education at Appalachian State University points out benefits and cautions for using historical fiction to supplement history texts. He recommends Mississippi Trial and Getting Away With Murder. Marcia Sattler recommends Frederick Douglass. Joyce Moyer Hostetter shares ways her historical novel Blue has been used across the curriculum. Carol and Joyce recommend lists of Science and Social Studies titles. Giveaway announcements of T-Shirt, Handouts, and books.

The May issue of Talking Story focuses on celebrating the end of the school year. Carol Baldwin and Joyce Moyer Hostetter offer some dynamic end of the year activities, fun suggestions for summer, cool giveaways, and links to some incredible web sites. Carol reviews Wild Things by Clay Carmichael and Hormone Jungle by Brad Bagert. Joyce gives some info on student-made book trailers and offers some book related vacation ideas. Both Joyce and Carol offer free Skype visits to schools. Recorded Books gives away an audio of Wild Things and Maupin House Publishers gives away a copy of Rainbows, Head Lice and Pea Green Tile.

Focuses on award winning historical fiction, how award committees choose books, and features interviews with award committee chairpersons. This issue has an emphasis on the preponderance of history in recent award winners and also the presence of civil rights and African American history in many of the winners. Includes interview with Author Sherri Smith as well as a review of her novel, Flygirl and also of Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose. Book giveaway by Kathleen Scotcher - My Fun Picture Dictionary.

Talking Story E-newsletter by Carol Baldwin and Joyce Moyer Hostetter, January 2010 issue Out of the Doldrums, provides links to sites that help you shake off the winter doldrums, sites with info for students who want to write, information about Carol and Joyce's Writers-in-Residence program. Also a contest to win Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide by Becky Levine. Encouraging articles and stimulating writing exercise for the classroom. Information about Young Authors and Artists Group, Helpful to teachers, librarians, and students. Our book recommendations - Flygirl by Sherri Smith, Wild Things by Clay Carmichael, Fade by Elliott Lewis, Road to Tater Hill by Edith Montgomery, Harper Lee by Kerry Madden.

Talking Story is a newsletter geared to readers, teachers and librarians. Published "monthly" by Joyce Moyer Hostetter and Carol Baldwin, the newsletter shares useful and inspiring information regarding reading and writing. Each issue includes opportunities to win free books. The December '09 issue of Talking Story focuses on gifts and celebration and covers such topics as Happy Holiday Writing activity, NCCAT (North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching), and recommended books. Books included are My Librarian Is a Camel, My School in the Rainforest, Giggles in the Middle: Caught 'Ya: Grammar with a Giggle for Middle School, The Help, The Chortling Bard, The Phantom Tollbooth, Comfort, and Teaching the Story.

In this issue of Talking Story we explore the importance of networking and some ways to do it effectively. In particular we explore the ways teachers & librarians can help authors connect with students. We introduce people who are doing this well and can help us do it too, including Jan Broadfoot, Susan Taylor Brown, Father Goose (aka Charles Ghigna), and Steve Johnson. There are links to a chance to win 1,000.00 scholarship and also to earn 150.00 of free books from Mauphin House Publishers.

"Talking Story" is the e-newsletter of authors, Joyce Moyer Hostetter and Carol Baldwin. Joyce and Carol co-lead seminars on writing for children. They speak about writing and publishing to schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Carol is the author of Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4 -8. Joyce is the author of four historical middle grade novels, Blue, Comfort, Healing Water, and Best Friends Forever. Talking Story discusses books for children and the process of writing, publishing and speaking for children.