National Ambassador for Young People's Literature: Kate DiCamillo

 

Kate DiCamillo's made a big announcement today, which was her  impending two-year appointment as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Kate DiCamillo is the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, and she has been chosen to serve as the fourth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.

 

 

“When we read together—when a grandfather reads to a granddaughter, when a teacher reads to a classroom, when a parent reads to a child, when a sister reads to a brother, when everyone in a town reads the same book silently, together—we are taken out of our aloneness. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another. We connect. And when we connect, we are changed.” — Kate DiCamillo

"It wasn't until my fifth or sixth book where I realized I'm trying to do the same thing in every story I tell, which is bring everybody together in the same room. That's the same thing that I want here: to get as many different people into the room as I can. I don't know that I will resonate with a particular group of kids, but I want to get as many kids and as many adults together reading as I can."--Kate DiCamillo speaking with the New York Times about her impending two-year appointment as national ambassador for young people's literature.-Self Awareness

New York Times Article:  Click Here

What do you think of the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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Do You Use Goodreads? New York Times talks Goodreads

Are you a fan of Goodreads.com?  We are, we've been a member since May 2010.  If you are unaware of  Goodreads.com then read on because we can't tell you how much we value Goodreads.com.   It is a resource, we use each and everyday.  Take a look at a recent New York Times article entitled "Read Any Good Web Sites Lately? Book Lovers Talk Online" which explores the history of the site and its power.  In the article it is suggested that, "...Goodreads.com, a social media site for finding and sharing titles that has 15 million members, is exploding in popularity and rivaling Amazon.com as a platform for promoting new books."  Wow!  If you want to jump on the bandwagon and join a site that, "...allows passionate readers to share what they are reading, rate books they have already read and list what they are considering next," then check out Goodreads.com.  "The site is also host to roughly 20,000 organically occurring online book clubs for every preference — from people interested in only Proust to those who prefer history and Tudor-period fiction."  See if this is something for you: Goodreads.com.

Take a gander at these two groups!  There are plenty more to join where these came from...Goodreads.com

Books on the Nightstand
2973 members A group to discuss books and topics mentioned on Books on the Nightstand, a blog and podcast abou...

Books we've read

All the Pretty Horses
by Cormac McCarthy

The Law of Dreams
by Peter Behrens

View this group on Goodreads »

The Next Best Book Club
10773 members Are you searching for the NEXT best book? Are you willing to kiss all your spare cash goodbye? A...

Books we've read

Neverwhere
by Neil Gaiman

The Other Boleyn Girl
by Philippa Gregory

View this group on Goodreads »

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Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Time Machine: New York Times

Times Machine 

Times Machine is a database of New York Times articles that allows students to access exact digital copies of their award winning newspaper dating back to 1851. Articles include everything from the sinking of the Titanic to the death of Abraham Lincoln, this is a valuable resource that can be used in the English or history classroom.  Check it out and let us know what you think of Times Machine.

Times Machine

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Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools 

Here are a few quotes which are "food for thought" from the New York Times article entitled "The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools."

"Ask school officials to explain Union City’s success and they start with prekindergarten, which enrolls almost every 3- and 4-year-old. There’s abundant research showing the lifetime benefits of early education. Here, seeing is believing."

"From pre-K to high school, the make-or-break factor is what the Harvard education professor Richard Elmore calls the “instructional core” — the skills of the teacher, the engagement of the students and the rigor of the curriculum. To succeed, students must become thinkers, not just test-takers."

"From a loose confederacy, the schools gradually morphed into a coherent system that marries high expectations with a “we can do it” attitude. 'The real story of Union City is that it didn’t fall back,' says Fred Carrigg, a key architect of the reform. 'It stabilized and has continued to improve.'"

Take a gander at the full New York Times article.  What are your thoughts?

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The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Favorite Book Covers of 2012

Do you judge a book by its cover?   Well, some do.  So, The New York Times asked people "in and around the world of graphic design to name one of their favorite book covers from 2012 and briefly describe its appeal."   Click on over and take a  peek at their answers:Favorite Book Covers of 2012.  Tell us about your favorite cover of 2012!

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The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

What Message Does this Send?

Image Credit:  Pinterest

As a teacher, I strive hard to send the right message to my students.  I don't know what to make of the recent New York Times Article entitled The Best Book Reviews Money Can Buy.  I have to say, it is very disconcerting. I spend my days in the classroom telling students to do their own work because it matters, and then I read The Best Book Reviews Money Can Buy, and disheartened does not quite capture how I feel.    It is no wonder that students think they can purchase research papers, if they see adults paying for reviews.  I'd love to know what others think about this article.  Post your comments.  

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The Things You Can Read