I am thrilled to report that We Visit Colombia, by book about Colombia for upper elementary school children, has been published.
I lived in Colombia with my two sons for the 2007-2008 school year and although it is a country with a lot of problems, I really loved it there.
The book covers Colombia's history, economy and political system, as well as other aspects of Colombia, such as the amazing wildlife and the wonderful festivals.
It is part of a series called Your Land and My Land.

Oh the joy of books sales during a recession! Our library's annual book sale ended this week. And on the last few days, you could fill a big shopping bag with books and pay only $10. I picked up some Frank McCourt books I've always wanted to read, as well as one of the few Dick Francis books I haven't read. Now I just need to go and buy another book shelf.

I just finished a very depressing but very necessary book, The Buying of Congress: How Special Interests Have Stolen Your Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, by Charles Lewis.
It's really sad to think that this book was written in the 1990s, BEFORE the floodgates of cash were opened by the Supreme Court's ridiculous decision that limits on political contributions abridged corporation's free speech rights.
I'm trying to figure out how to write a book on the Congress for children. I want it to be accurate and and yet clear about the fact that we are far away from the Founders' vision.