The Official Newsletter of the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading Campaign, Volume 8, #1
Dear Get Caught Reading Supporter,
In our eighth annual AAP Adopt-a-School program, a record-breaking 40 authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult fiction representing 15 AAP member publishing houses visited 42 schools in Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. We even had such an outpouring of publisher and author support that we went back to the New York City Department of Education to request additional schools!
Adopt-A-School is an effort to schedule author visits that encourage reading for students across the greater New York City area. The program matches Association of American Publishers and Children’s Book Council member publishers with NYC public schools provided by the Department of Education’s Office of Strategic Partnerships. We are happy to announce that over one thousand schoolchildren ranging from grades K-12 were adopted this year and had the opportunity to meet an author or illustrator face-to-face. Some of the participating supporters are featured in this special Adopt-a-School 2013 newsletter.
A big thank you to our generous publishers for giving back to the city by joining this effort to support the art of reading and writing for New York City school children!
Keep reading and keep giving back,
Tom Allen, President and CEO Association of American Publishers
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
CS 102 Holds a “Giant Dance Party”
No stranger to reading to children, New York Public Library’s Youth Materials Specialist, Betsy Bird, adopted CS 102X in the Bronx in tandem with the To the Association of American Publishers, publication of her first illustrated children’s book, GIANT DANCE PARTY. HarperCollins Children’s Thank you so much for continuing to invite our schools to Books donated a classroom set, and Betsy read her participate in the Adopt-a-School program. As we challenge own book and many others to the K-3 graders on ourselves to engage our students and encourage them to th Thursday, December 12 in three sessions. Visit read, allowing them to experience an author visit extends the www.betsybirdbooks.com for more. joy of reading. Not only are students able to meet the author and discuss their books, but the pre-reading and discussions that follow often piques the interest of even the most reluctant readers. School librarians have continuously expressed excitement about participating in the Adopt-a-School program, as it allows them to engage students in different literacy-based learning activities. Over the past few years, many librarians looking to enhance their library programming have been fortunate enough to be paired with an Adopt-a- School author. We look forward to collaborating with the Association of American Publishers throughout the school year.
Arlene Dominguez New York City Department of Education Office of Strategic Partnerships
Caldecott Winner Chris Raschka Adopts PS 158
Award-winning illustrator Chris Raschka joined the Adopt-a-School program this year with a visit to PS 158 in Manhattan. Although Scholastic donated copies of his latest collaboration with Robie Harris, WHEN LIONS ROAR, which he illustrated, he did puppetry and theatrical interpretations with the children from many of his other books, including his Caldecott Honor Book YO! YES? and his Caldecott 2012 winner A BALL FOR DAISY. In two auditorium visits on Friday, December 13th, one with the pre-K and 1st graders and the other with 1st and 2nd graders, he included everything from read-alouds to personalized improvisational drawings based on various students’ names.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
Sheila Keenan Talks to Academy of Innovative Technology S.T.A.R. Academy Gets “Famous”
Author and filmmaker George Takoudes was inspired to write his first novel WHEN WE WUZ FAMOUS (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group) when he was working on his award-winning feature film Up with Me. On Tuesday, December 10th, he shared this story, did a reading, and led a book club discussion with a mix of 9th-12th grade students in an engaged library visit at the Academy of Innovative Technology in Brooklyn. Visit www.takoudes.com for more.
PS 63M: S.T.A.R. Academy in Manhattan got a special treat on Thursday, December 12th in two library visits by Sheila Keenan with groups of hand-picked 4th and 5th graders. Her presentation included an image-filled Power Point on the process of creating a graphic novel, and she answered questions on how she Jon Scieszka Adopts Two Brooklyn conducted research for her latest book, DOGS Elementary Schools OF WAR, gravel novel of historical fiction about the role of dogs in the military. Scholastic Jon Scieszka, award-winning author of THE TRUE STORY OF donated 30 copies to supplement the visit, which THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, THE TIME WARP TRIO, and many the librarian gave as prizes to eager students. other books—and the first National Ambassador for Young Visit http://sheilakeenan.com for more info. People’s Literature—adopted two schools through the AAP this year. The first was a filmed visit to PS 10K in Brooklyn on nd Tuesday, May 2 which was filmed and featured in the Weston Superhero Joe Visits PS 360 Woods Studios video “Getting to Know Jon Scieszka.”
Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman had a fantastic visit with PS 360 in the Bronx on Thursday, December 12th. In two library visits for grades K-2, she did interactive presentations, including a visit from Superhero Joe himself, who the children recognized from their donated copies of SUPERHERO JOE AND THE CREATURE NEXT DOOR (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing).
The following month, he made a guest appearance at PS 32K in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, to kick off the school’s Summer Reading Beach Party in celebration of his book SUMMER READING IS KILLING ME. It took place on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, and he did a book signing and audience presentation to several hundred children to get them excited for summer reading. Visit www.jsworldwide.com for more information.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
“Rock God” Visits George Polly Shulman Adopts IS 528
Jackson Academy Polly Shulman, author of THE GRIMM LEGACY and THE WELLS BEQUEST (both donated by Penguin Young Readers The typical Adopt-a-School visit doesn’t usually Group), visited I.S. 528: Bea Fuller Rodgers School in include collective beat boxing and rapping about Manhattan on Monday, December 9th. She conducted three manatees, but this was no normal visit! visits to the 6th grade classes, including a book signing, creative writing exercises and providing literary feedback to the When Soho Teen author Barnabus Miller visited the students on their work. Visit www.pollyshulman.com for more all-boys school George Jackson Academy on info. Wednesday, December 11th, he did two visits with the 6th graders to read a passage from his book ROCK GOD (copies donated by Sourcebooks) and lead class volunteers in acting out a musical scene from the book using improvisational acting and musical skills. They then broke up into groups and created performance pieces to present to the class, and laughter was had by all.
Jason Edwards Goes “Rogue”
Author and self-professed “edutainer” (someone who produces books that are entertaining as well as educational) Jason Edwards had such a great visit at Creston Campus Academy in the Bronx on Wednesday, December 11th that he came back for a second visit!.
His first visit consisted of two sessions for the elementary school students on campus and one session for the middle school, and his second visit on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014, included six twenty-minute Q&A sessions with attending students. For these visits, Rogue Bear Press donated 30 copies Inwood School Hosts of WILL ALLEN AND THE RING OF TERROR. His visits Barbara Samuels include library skill-building and quick, interactive games with the children. Visit http://j81502.wix.com/monsterauthor for more information.
On Tuesday, December 10th during Adopt-a-School week, author/illustrator Barbara Samuels held three 45-minute sessions at Good Shepherd School in Inwood. Her presentations included reading her latest book, THE TRUCKER (copies donated by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group), to the pre- K through 1st graders that she visited.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
Additional Adopt-a-School 2013 Author Visits
Thursday, December 12th: DAN YACCARINO adopted PS 54X in the Bronx and did three library visits for the 2nd-5th graders. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group donated copies of UNLOVABLE. www.danyaccarino.com
Thursday, December 12th: BETH AIN adopted PS 60Q in Queens and did three auditorium visits for the 2nd, 4th, and 5th graders. Scholastic donated copies of STARRING JULES (AS HERSELF). www.bethain.com
Thursday, December 12th: MRS. P adopted PS 63: S.T.A.R. Academy in Manhattan via Skype from Los Angeles and did two remote library visits for the 2nd and 3rd graders. http://mrsp.com
Friday, December 13th: DAN POBLACKI adopted PS 10K in Brooklyn (AGAIN!) and did a series library visits for the 3rd to 5th graders. Scholastic donated copies of THE HAUNTING OF GABRIEL ASHE. www.danpoblocki.com
Thursday, January 23rd: EMMY LAYBOURNE adopted Mott Hall High School in the Bronx and did three library visits for the 9th-12th graders. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group donated copies of MONUMENT 14. http://emmylaybourne.com
Thursday, January 30th: DEBORAH BLUMENTHAL adopted PS 142M in Manhattan and did three library visits for the PreK-2nd graders. Peachtree donated copies of THE BLUE HOUSE DOG. www.deborahblumenthal.com
Friday, January 31st: ROBIE HARRIS adopted PS 49X in Borough and did three library visits for the K-3rd graders. Scholastic donated copies of WHEN LIONS ROAR. http://robieharris.com
January 2014: STORYCORPS adopted three schools in this year’s program, and Penguin donated copies of LISTENING IS AN ACT OF LOVE for all visits.
StoryCorps’ visits included: Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn and did three library visits for the 9th-12th graders. JHS 302K: Rafael Cordero y Molina in Brooklyn and did three library visits for the 8th graders. High School for the Arts, Imagination, and Inquiry in Manhattan and did three library visits for the 9th-12th graders. http://storycorps.org
Monday, February 3rd: GRACE MACCARONE adopted PS 30M in Manhattan and did three library visits for the K-2nd graders. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group donated copies of PRINCESS TALES.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
Winter/Spring 2014 Adopt-a-School Author Visits
Winter 2014: L.A. CAMPBELL adopted two schools in this year’s program, and Tor/Forge donated copies of CARTBOY AND THE TIME CAPSULE for both visits.
L.A. Campbell’s visits included: Thursday, December 12th: PS 175 in Borough and did three library visits for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Tuesday, February 4th: IS 109Q: Jean Nuzzi in Queens Village and did three library visits for the 6th graders. http://lacampbellwriter.com
Winter 2014: BRIAN FLOCA adopted CS 154 in Harlem and will be doing three library visits for the 4th and 5th graders. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing donated copies of LOCOMOTIVE. www.brianfloca.com
Winter 2014: FRANCINE POPPO RICH adopted PS 62Q in Queens and did three library visits for the 3rd graders. Blue Marlin Publications donated 100 copies of an array of her books. www.francinepopporich.com
Winter 2014: NINA CREWS has adopted PS 131K in Brooklyn and will be doing two library visits for the 3rd graders. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group donated copies of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. www.ninacrews.com
Winter 2014: LAURA SCHROFF has adopted four schools in this year’s program, and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing donated copies of AN INVISIBLE THREAD for all visits.
Laura Schroff’s visits include: IS 2 in Staten Island for three visits for the 8th graders. New York Harbor School on Governor’s Island to do three library visits for the 9th-12th graders. Staten Island Technical School in Staten Island to do three library visits for the 9th-12th graders. Curtis High School in Staten Island to do three library visits for the 9th-12th graders. www.aninvisiblethread.com
Spring 2014: GEOFF RODKEY has adopted IS 204Q in Long Island City and is set to do three auditorium visits for the 6th-8th graders. Penguin Young Readers Group donated copies of THE CHRONICLES OF EGG. www.geoffrodkey.com
Spring 2014: JASON REYNOLDS has adopted an undisclosed Brooklyn high school. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing is donating 30 copies of WHEN I WAS THE GREATEST. http://IAmJasonReynolds.com
Spring 2014: AMY HERRICK has adopted IS-227: The Edward B Shallow Middle School in Brooklyn and will be doing a classroom and library visit for the 7th graders. Algonquin Young Readers donated copies of THE TIME FETCH. http://amyherrick.com
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
“P” is for PS 32K Pizza Party at PS 18
th rd th th On Wednesday, December 18th, children’s writer On Thursday, December 12 , three groups of 3 , 4 , and 5 and illustrator Selina Alko did two auditorium graders at PS 18: The John G. Whittier School in Staten Island, presentations of her New York-inspired alphabet got a special visit from illustrator Daniel Salmieri. The children book B IS FOR BROOKLYN (published by already loved his and Adam Rubin’s latest book SECRET PIZZA Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group) for grades PARTY (copies donated by Penguin Young Readers Group), K-2 at PS 32K: Samuel Mills Sprole Elementary and his session of artistic games and interactive drawing only School. These little Brooklynites were thrilled to cemented their love. Visit www.secretpizzaparty.com for more. see a presentation of a book that was full of images and places that were familiar to them. Visit www.selinaalko.com.
Baby Penguins Author Melissa Guion Breaks the Ice
For Melissa Guion’s visit to PS 156: Waverly School of the Arts in Brooklyn on Tuesday, December 10th, Penguin Young Readers Group provided 30 copies of her latest book, BABY PENGUINS LOVE THEIR MAMA! And Melissa did an auditorium presentation to the pre-K through 2nd grade classes, doing everything from a PowerPoint presentation of her book BABY PENGUINS EVERYWHERE to donning a penguin costume and skidding across the stage on her stomach to show them how Penguins travel. She ten did individual classroom visits with more intimate readings where she also did book signings and answered Q&As that the children had written beforehand. Visit www.melissaguion.com for more info.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 2013
Mad Libs in Manhattan East Side Hosts Book Club
On Wednesday, December 11th, Nancy Krulik did two library Author Cordova sessions with the 2nd and 3rd graders of PS 30M in Manhattan. Penguin Young Readers Group donated 30 copies of a mix of her Katie Kazoo and George Brown series titles for the visit. Not only did Nancy do interactive readings from both series with the children, but she engaged them in games of Mad Libs to get them giggling extra hard. Visit www.katiekazoo.com/nancy.html for more info.
Ecuador-born Zoraida Cordova learned how to speak English by watching Disney’s Little Mermaid, so it’s no surprise that her debut novel, THE VICIOUS DEEP, is a mermaid- based tale. For this year’s Adopt-a-School program, Sourcebooks donated 30 copies to East Side Community School in Manhattan, who hosted Zoraida on Thursday, December 12th for a library visit and book club discussion on inspiration and the writing process. Visit www.zoraidacordova.com for more information.
Get Caught Reading’s Huge Heart Award: Steve Metzger
Long-time Adopt-a-School supporter and author Steve Metzger took the cake by adopting three schools for this year’s program. The first was on June 5th at Lido Elementary School out on Long Beach when it was struggling to recover from being damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Then he did three library visits with the first and third graders of PS 139 in Prospect Park. Finally, the third graders of PS 150X: Charles James Fox in the Bronx hosted him for an auditorium visit and book discussion on Thursday, December 12th. For each visit, Scholastic provided a mixed gift box of Steve’s titles, including PLUTO VISITS THE EARTH and DETECTIVE BLUE. Get Caught Reading is giving him our Huge Heart Award for 2013 for all he continues to do to encourage reading for New York’s schoolchildren. Visit www.stevemetzgerbooks.com.
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