Tucker McBride

Return to a time when a boy could be a boy; when life was more clear from the top branch of a tree; when a kid could trade anger and disappointment for action and adventure; when the whole neighborhood was his playground; and the sloppy kiss from a dog could make everything right.


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Order Tucker McBride TODAY

If you know my husband, Rev. Bill Rapp and all his antics, you'll love reading about him when he was a kid. When someone calls, I usually respond, "Let me find him. He's either on the roof or under the house." In Tucker McBride read about where it all began. Go to amazon today and give the book a great launch.

Monday, July 29, 2019

The Old Yard Pump

Lesson Prompt #3

The old Myers pump stood in the yard over the well Mr. Lehman had drilled for the family when they built the house. The pump was especially meaningful because the Myers brothers were cousins of Gramma.
If you had a pump in your backyard, how would you use it? Write three paragraphs.
Paragraph one would describe the advantage of having a pump and how you'd use it.
Paragraph two would describe the disadvantages of a working outdoor pump.
Paragraph three would tell how you would solve those problems with the pump.


Saturday, July 27, 2019

Family Fun

Your child's teacher may not use Tucker McBride in the classroom. If they do, they may use the Teaching Guide to Tucker McBride by Victoria Borgman as their teaching aid.
Read Tucker McBride as a family. Use the teaching prompts to have lively family discussions. No writing necessary. Just brainstorm together. Remember, in a good brain storming session, there are no wrong answers.
The goal is to allow each family member to participate and have their opinion counted. We've forgotten how to talk to one another, to discuss without arguing, to value the suggestions and ideas of all, young and not-as-young.
The family can appoint a new discussion leader for each session. No one is assigned to determine an "idea-winner." The leader sums up the ideas and protects the owner of unusual suggestions. "That's an idea I wouldn't have thought of."
Children often feel they are not heard. Listen and respect what everyone has to offer. Laugh, not at anyone but with them when they laugh.
Have fun.

Monday, July 22, 2019

The Old Steamer Trunk

Lesson Prompt #2

In the Tucker McBride book, we only saw a few things in Tucker's attic. This trunk was in a different corner. It may have belonged to Gramma's grandparents. That might make it about 120 years old when Tucker, Christy and Johnny were in the attic. That would make it close to 200 years old in our time. Think about what may have been in Tucker's family trunk, or pretend you found it in your own grandparents' attic. What exciting things from the past might the trunk hold?

1. Make a list of six things that could be in the truck. 
2. Then, write a three-paragraph short story about who the items may have belonged to, 
3. how they were used, 
4. and why they were saved.




Saturday, July 20, 2019

Information: I purchased the domain to accompany this blog, www.tuckermcbrideintheclassroom.com so all you have to remember is the name of the blog. See you at Monday's post.

Monday, July 15, 2019

The Pair of Knickers

RETURN TO A TIME WHEN A BOY 

COULD BE A BOY.


Lesson Prompt #1

World War II limited the materials that went into new clothes. Most kids wore "hand-me-downs" from older brothers and sisters. Tucker wore jeans and T-shirts in the book, Tucker McBride. In the first grade he wore knickers his uncle wore when he was the same age.
Knickers were short pants that came just below the knee and were gathered there by elastic. Held up by suspenders, they were finished off with long, knee length socks. Some boys continued to wear the short pants into the mid-decade due to lack of funds and materials to replace them.
Victorian Mens Brown Cotton Solid Knicker | Dickens | Downton Abbey | Edwardian || Mens Knickers - Brown Twill
1. Tucker was embarrassed by the old-fashioned style pants. How would you feel if you had to wear them and what would you do about it? 

Girls wore home-made cotton skirts that came well below the knees, and blouses. Stars and gold buttons were often added to honor the boys who served in the war.

2. Design a dress or skirt and blouse with a military flair. Also, a military style winter jacket for boys. You may draw the clothing sketches or use scrap fabric on a doll or teddy bear to demonstrate your 1940s clothing ideas.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Return to a time when a boy 

could be a boy.


So excited, my novel, Tucker McBride, achieved a #1 New Release banner on Amazon. 
Wow! Didn't even know there was that ranking.

Image may contain: phone and screen

I'm asking all if you place your Amazon order on the actual release date, July 30, 2019.
With your help, it may open with a bright orange Amazon "Best Seller" badge! 

Watch for my first teacher lesson plan post, using Tucker McBride in the classroom.

Friday, July 12, 2019


Return to a time when a boy could be a boy, when life was clearer from the top branch of a tree, when a kid could trade anger and disappointment for action and adventure, when the whole neighborhood was his playground, and the sloppy kiss from a dog could make everything right.

Wander back trough time with me as you read my new novel, Tucker McBride, releasing on July 30, 2019. Then, come join us here to brainstorm about possible discussion ideas and activities for the classroom. Your ideas will be welcome.
Vicki Borgman, a fifth grade teacher here in Indiana and Donna Brewer, also a fifth grade teacher in Houston, Texas will use my novel, Tucker McBride in a several week reading unit in their classrooms in the spring of 2020.
Join them as the students have fun learning about a time, in 1946, when kids were outside letting the fresh breeze blow all the dust out of their thinking from sun up to sun down. Perhaps you would like to use Tucker McBride in your classroom, or read it to your students, enjoy it with your family or your reading club, or curl up in your cozy chair and smile with all the antics of a twelve-year-old boy.
Tucker McBride is available for pre-order on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and other on-line book outlets. It can also be ordered at your brick and mortar store. Your target deadline? Pull out your tablet, cell phone, or laptop and order Tucker McBride on July 30.
Share your ideas with all of us.


Tucker McBride and the Christmas Present

  It's December 1, and the stores are draped in red and green. It is the Holidays, the Christmas Holidays. The Christ Child came to brin...