About
About the Company:
Mackin Educational Resources provides high-quality library and classroom materials to PK-12 schools and public libraries around the world, including books, ebooks, DVDs, audiobooks, educational software, online databases and more. Mackin also has the largest PK-12 database of titles in the country, as well as providing free collection analysis and collection development services. These services include recommended title lists customized for each collection and created by real librarians.
About the Blog:
All of the books in our blog are ones we highly recommend. No negative reviews here–if a book is listed, we think highly of it. And even though all are good, some are EXTRA good, sort of like a yummy brownie—with frosting. These “Mackin picks” will be marked with a flower. And then there are books that we just can’t wait to talk about, so we’ll post about them months before they actually come out. These “Promising Blooms” will be marked with this flower. 
The book links in our blog will bring you to Mackin’s website, where you will be asked to log in before you view the book record. If you do not yet have an account, you will have the opportunity to complete a brief, one-time registration.
Mackin respects your privacy. Your registration information will never be revealed or transferred to a third-party for any purpose. It will only be used for login purposes or to automatically sign you up for the email newsletter. You can remove your name from the email list by sending an email to editor@mackin.com.
About the Bloggers:
Kristin J (Kristin is no longer an active blogger for Books in Bloom): Kristin Jones is a new addition to the Collection Development department at Mackin Educational Resources. She recently graduated with her MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is pleased to be able to put her degree to good use! Prior to becoming a librarian, Kristin worked as a library clerk in multiple public libraries and completed two librarian internships. When she isn’t immersed in the literary world, Kristin loves to spend time with her boyfriend Jeremy and their three fur-children (Sadie, Daise and Sophie).
Kristin loves to read virtually everything she can get her hands on. Her favorite genres include fairy-tales retold, paranormal romance, historical fiction, realistic fiction and dystopias. If she had to choose a favorite book, she would not be able to choose just one, but here are some of her favorites: The Hollow Series by Jessica Verday, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, and Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.
Lindsey L: Lindsey Lobner has enjoyed her time as a Collection Development librarian for Mackin Educational Resources for the last two years. She graduated with her MLIS from St. Catherine University in 2010. Before working at Mackin, Lindsey worked as a clerk in a University library, completed a public library internship, and worked at a small locally-owned bookstore.
Like any librarian worth her salt, Lindsey spends a vast majority of her free time immersed in the literary world. She will give most anything a try, but is especially drawn to fantasy, both high and realistic, historical fiction and nonfiction, and any story where love conquerors all. Like any booklover, Lindsey finds it hard to narrow down her favorite books, but if forced, she would have to say her top five books are Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, Enna Burning by Shannon Hale, The Odyssey by Homer, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley. (And it only took her a painstaking half an hour to narrow it down to those five).
Mindy R: Mindy Rhiger has been in Mackin’s Collection Development department for three years. After completing her MLS in 2001, she worked as a Young Adult Librarian in a Chicago-area public library for a few years before moving to Minnesota, where she found herself on the business side of the library field for the first time. She spent three years at another book company before coming to Mackin.
Mindy mostly reads realistic teen fiction with occasional forays into chick lit or science fiction (especially dystopias), but she also spends a lot of time reading (and re-reading) picture books with her four-year-old daughter. She enjoys reading about parenting, women’s health, and disabilities so much that she volunteers as a book reviewer on these topics for Library Journal. Her current favorite book is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, but her answer might be different next time you ask.
Ryan H: Ryan Haindfield is a relative newcomer to Mackin, having begun working in the Collection Analysis department in October 2011. He has an undergraduate degree in Child Development from Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!) and received his MLIS from San Jose State University, where he completed their online program in 2010. Previously, he worked as a teaching assistant in the Saint Paul Public School system, where he managed a school library and worked with students in the classroom. He has held many other jobs in his life, including social worker, youth counselor, and stay-at-home dad (this position had two very demanding bosses, his boys, Connor, age 11 and Lucas, age 8).
Ryan’s reading tastes are diverse…he reads a lot of contemporary fiction, but mixes in healthy doses of science titles, classic literature, and whatever else catches his eye. He has a soft spot for young adult coming-of-age tales, and his favorite author is David Mitchell. He loves discussing and recommending books to anyone who will listen.
Tracey L: Tracey Luehrs has been a Collection Development librarian at Mackin Educational Resources for over five years. Since earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, she has taught second grade, run a daycare center from her home, and tutored children in reading and writing. She also has an MLIS from Dominican University, through the College of St. Catherine. Tracey’s two sons—Alex is 23 and Nathan is 17—are resigned to the fact that their mother turns every conversation to books that she has read, is reading, or wants to read.
Tracey’s favorite type of reading material is fantasy (also fairy tales, mysteries, picture books, thrillers, “popular” science and history, grammar books, science fiction, historical fiction, book reviews, and essays). Her favorite book is…you’re kidding, right?
Tuan N.: Tuan Nguyen is a Library Consultant for Mackin Educational Resources and has been consulting for the past 8 years. Tuan has paneled and presented graphic novels on many different stages including at ALA, TLA and recently at last year’s San Diego International Comic Convention. He helped developed the Maverick Graphic Novel Committee for the Texas Library Association. Tuan received his Masters in Library Science at the University of North Texas and is notably undefeated in death matches.
Many special thanks to Taia Morley for her wonderful pictures of us (aside from Tuan who did his own awesome picture)! To see more of Taia’s great work, click here.
Lori C.
Mackin Books In Bloom
Mackin Guest Blogger
Mindy R
Ryan H.
Tracey L
Tuan N
