The corner joints

Since 2001 I’ve lived in the nicest part of probably the most maligned part of Minneapolis, “North Minneapolis,” really a composite of two communities–”Near North” and “Camden.” More information than you need, probably, but “NoMi” as it has recently come to call itself is in a time of tumult. It was the hardest hit in [...]

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Ben (RIP, Michael)

I was never a big Michael Jackson fan, but this song is a personal favorite. A love song for a rat… what could be sweeter?

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Black Mamba vs. King Cobra

I asked some kids to draw snakes today, and will soon be posting them to my ever-growing snake gallery. Sam’s comic particularly struck me as being packed with awesomeness on many levels and I wanted to share it here, as I am sure you will agree. BLACK MAMBA VS. KING COBRA

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Draw a Snake and Win a Prize! ~~~~~~~o,,

There’s really nothing easier than drawing a snake. As Linus Tuttle, the hero of my forthcoming novel Mamba Point observes, a snake is just a squiggle with fangs. So why not join in the fun? Draw me a snake, send it to me, and I’ll post it to my gallery. Thanks to Terry for the [...]

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Brookdale Library and Book Clubs

I had fun at the Brookdale library in Brooklyn Center, MN, where a couple dozen people ignored tornado warnings to see me read, make baseball cards, play Wii baseball, etc. One kid asked me the best question yet: “What was your first haircut like?” It was on the theme of baseball night, completely out of [...]

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Summer Library Fun!

Two libraryish things I want to put front and center… Baseball, Books and Banter With Kurtis Scaletta Thursday, June 18, 7–9 p.m. For kids and their families. Minnesota children’s author and huge baseball fan Scaletta will be discussing his new book, “Mudville.” Play Twins trivia, Wii baseball and create your own baseball card. Come in [...]

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My Favorite Joke

Michael posted his favorite joke, which inspired me to do the same thing (and by “inspired,” I mean, “I stole his idea.”)

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Goin' Mobile

Kurtis, I love your site, but I need to check in with it more easily when I am on the bus, hot air ballooning, or running in a marathon. If I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it a thousand times! (Well, actually, since I have not heard it once, this statement is logically clean, if [...]

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Kurtis Scaletta Takes the Dare

I’d like to direct people to the extremely nice and amazing Cynthea Liu, author of The Great Call of China, which is part of the S.A.S.S. series, and Paris Pan Takes the Dare, which was released today. Anyone who writes for kids knows Cynthea through her Writing for Children and Teens website and new authors [...]

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BTR Conversations LIVE! Interview

You can listen to my interview with C. A. Webb of Blog Talk Radio: Coversations LIVE! here. Cyrus asked some really great questions, and seems to have really liked the book. During the interview Cyrus mentions Ballin’ With Books, a virtual book club all about sports-themed books. One more for the aggregator!

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