On April 19th 1824, George Gordon, sixth Lord Byron, dies at the age of 36. He died of a fever that he contracted during a rainstorm while drilling Greek troops who were fighting the Turks. While his heart and lungs are buried in Greece, his body is buried in Nottinghamshire, England.

Byron was arguably the first author-celebrity, known for his great looks and club foot and who made all the ladies of his time swoon.

Read his work here.

April is National Poetry Month, and in honor of the month I have written a review for one of my favorite Junior novels which is written in free-verse. This book is not only written beautifully, but its strong message will touch the hearts of readers.

Inside Out & Back Again
By Thanhha Lai
Ages 7-12

Sherwood Anderson, the American novelist and short story writer who influenced Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner and others, died on March 8th, 1941 after ingesting a toothpick that was in an hors d'oeuvre at a a cocktail party in Colon, Panama. He died of peritonitis. He was 64.

Update your favorite childhood treats such as chocolate-peanut-butter bars, red velvet twinkies, homemade 'tootsie rolls' and popcorn and peanut bark with the wonderful new book, Baking Out Loud: Fun Desserts with BIG FLAVORS by Hedy Goldsmith. You won't be disappointed.

Place a hold on Baking Out Loud and dig in!