Congratulations to America's Student Citizen Writers

Winners of Reading Rockets Citizen Writer Writing Challenge Announced

This year Reading Rockets challenged students across the country to think and learn about America's people, places, and ideals by writing--and drawing!--creative pieces prompted by civics, citizenship, and community. Prompts were provided in four categories, and our young people rose to the challenge!

The NCBLA congratulates the creative efforts of all these young people and invites you to check out their fabulous winning entries on ReadingRockets.org!

Read! Think! Act!

Learn More About Civics, Citizenship, and American History with Our White House!

You can help young people dig deeper into America's past and think critically about the future using the NCBLA's art and literature anthology Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. The illustrations, essays, short stories, presidential letters, personal reflections, and historical accounts in Our White House inform and entertain, offering a window on more than 200 years of American history.  Our White House is available in both hardcover and paperback. The new paperback edition features a NEW poem by Nikki Grimes about President Obama’s inauguration!
 

Complementing the book is the NCBLA's educational website OurWhiteHouse.org, which hosts a vast array of exclusive articles, primary sources, activities and discussion questions, and research resources. Be sure to check out "I Pledge Allegiance: Classroom Kit on Becoming an American Citizen" by Helen Kampion, "Presidents Are People Too" by Heather Lang, "A Taste of the Past: White House Kitchens, Menus, and Recipes" by Mary Brigid Barrett, "The Eloquence of 'Silent Cal'" by Katherine Paterson, and "Who Gets to Vote?" by Geri Zabela Eddins.

 

In Case You Missed It!

New York Times Opinion Piece Highlights Innovative Mission of First Book

In the online article "A Book in Every Home, and Then Some," David Bornstein (author of How to Change the World) writes:

"When we imagine people without books, we think of villagers in places like Afghanistan. But many families in the United States have no children’s books at home. In some of the poorest areas of the country, it’s hard to find books for sale. A study of low-income neighborhoods in Philadelphia, for example, found a ratio of one book for sale for every 300 children. Tens of millions of poor Americans can’t afford to buy books at all."

Click here to read the entire article and discover how First Book is attacking the problem of book access for needy children through their innovative marketplace. And be sure to visit FirstBook.org to learn even more about First Book's programs.

Department of Education Withdraws Federal Support for School Libraries

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program Eliminated

The American Library Association reports that the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program was zeroed out under the Department of Education's allocation for FY2011 funding,  released yesterday.

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries is the only federal program solely for our nation’s school libraries. This program supports local education agencies in improving reading achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school libraries; and professionally certified school librarians.

“This decision shows that school libraries have been abandoned by President Obama and the Department of Education ,” Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office, said.

“The Department has withdrawn funding for numerous successful literacy programs in order to launch new initiatives to bolster science, technology, engineering, and math education. Apparently, what the Department of Education fails to realize is that the literacy and research skills students develop through an effective school library program are the very building blocks of STEM education. Withdrawing support from this crucial area of education is an astounding misstep by an Administration that purports to be a champion of education reform.”

Nancy Everhart, president of the ALA’s Association of School Librarians (AASL), said school library programs provide students with the skills they need to select, interpret, form and communicate ideas in compelling ways with emerging technologies, preparing students for the demands of a global, competitive economy, and a 21^st century workplace.

“Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that students in schools with strong school library programs learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized tests even when differences in socioeconomic factors are taken into consideration,” Everhart said.

“School libraries are there for every child. They are the great equalizers of society and by making this cut, it’s taking away the opportunity for all children to excel in every area of education, especially science and math. The school library has traditionally been the place where low-income students gain access to the resources and learning experiences that make STEM subjects relevant and rich.”

The ALA calls on Congress to include a dedicated funding stream for school libraries in the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Take Action!!!

Contact your legislators NOW to let them know your thoughts regarding the importance of school libraries! It's EASY! Click here to access an online form that enables you to send an email message directly to your elected officials!

Civil War Events to be Held at the Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library Commemorates the 150^th Anniversary of the American Civil War

May through December 2011 features exhibitions, lectures, and programs

This month marks the start of the Boston Public Library’s 8-month, citywide commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the American Civil War. Through four unique exhibitions along with lectures, guided tours, films series, musical events, period reenactors, and online displays, the BPL will bring to life one of the defining events in American history.

The Boston Public Library has superior Civil War-era collections that serve as the foundation for the commemoration that extends to all library departments and branches across the city. “This vivid commemoration combines the best of modern scholarship with the richness of the Boston Public Library’s historic collections,” said Amy E. Ryan, President of the Boston Public Library. “Our goal is to bring the Civil War to life for all our users, whether they visit an exhibition, borrow a title from a book list, attend a lecture, or enjoy a concert of Civil War-era music.”

Nationally renowned speakers who will visit the Boston Public Library to focus on different aspects of the conflict include James McPherson, Drew Gilpin Faust, and Tony Horwitz.

To learn more about the extensive series of exhibitions, lectures, films, tours, and live performances exploring the many dimensions of the war, visit the library’s dedicated web page: www.bpl.org/civilwar .

Not in the Boston area? Visit your local library--or their website--to discover their schedule of special events and programs for patrons of all ages! 

Today is National Library Legislative Day

Take Action to Support Our Nation's Libraries!

Libraries are increasingly essential in these tough economic times. People are flocking to our nation’s libraries for job and career information, small business research and e-government services, as well as support for formal and informal education and lifelong learning. 

Congress has made across-the-board cuts to federal programs in its FY2011 budget, including major cuts to public and school library services.

To learn more about the critical legislation affecting libraries, visit the American Library Association's website and read the article, "Key Issues for Libraries."  

Visit the ALA's Legislative Action Center to take action NOW! This webpage makes it easy for you to send an email to your senators and representatives letting them know your thoughts about the value of library services.

The Nation's Report Card for Civics Now Available

Civics Scores Show Progress for Fourth Graders But No Significant Improvement for Eighth and Twelfth Grade Students

The National Center for Education Statistics released this week the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Civics. Results show that although Civics scores for students in Grade 4 are improving, the scores for students in Grades 8 remain mostly stagnant and the scores for students in Grade 12 show a bit of a decline. Nationally representative samples of about 7,100 fourth-graders, 9,600 eight-graders, and 9,900 twelfth-graders participated in the Civics assessment. At each grade, students responded to questions designed to measure the civics knowledge and skills that are critical to the responsibilities of citizenship in America's democracy. Comparing the results from the 2010 assessment to results from two previous assessment years shows the students' progress over time. 

In the New York Times article, "Failing Grades on Civics Exam Called a 'Crisis,'" former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor states, "Today’s NAEP results confirm that we have a crisis on our hands when it comes to civics education." O'Connor is a stalwart advocate for Civics education and recently founded iCivics.org, a web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy. O'Connor developed the project out of her concern that students are not getting the information and tools they need for civic participation.

In the same article, Charles N. Quigley, executive director for the Center  for Civic Education, states, "The results confirm an alarming and continuing trend that civics in America is in decline."  

Click here to read the entire New York Times article.

At the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, we believe that literacy--including Civics literacy--is essential to the development of responsible citizens in a democracy.

Help Kids Connect with Civics Topics With Our White House!

The NCBLA's Our White House Project Provides Printed and Online Materials to Help Adults Who Live and Work With Children Learn More About American History and Civics

Our White House is a project of The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance designed to encourage young people to read more about America’s rich history and culture; to think more about America’s future; to talk more about our nation’s leadership; and to act on their own beliefs and convictions, ensuring this great democratic experiment will survive and thrive. 

The Book!

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough introduces this creative tour de force, in which 108 renowned authors and illustrators have donated their poetry, prose, and art to help advance the cause of young people’s literacy and historical literacy. The illustrations, essays, short stories, presidential letters, personal reflections, and historical accounts in Our White House inform and entertain, offering a window on more than 200 years of American history. Our White House is available in both hardcover and paperback. The new paperback edition features a NEW poem by Nikki Grimes about President Obama’s inauguration!

The Website!

In addition to the Our White House book, the NCBLA has created an extensive coordinating website filled with exclusive articles, resources, discussion questions. classroom activities, and links to other dynamic resources to help ignite our young people's interest in American history and civics, with the goal of creating an informed and engaged citizenship considerate of the past, present, and future. 

Be sure to check out our Civic Education page, featuring such articles as "The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights: Educational Resources," "Civic Education Websites," "I Pledge Allegiance: Classroom Kit on Becoming an American Citizen" by Helen Kampion, "Who Gets to Vote?," and "Choosing Sides: The Rise of Party Politics." 

Learn more at OurWhiteHouse.org.

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!

This Week the PTA Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

Since 1984, the National PTA has designated the first full week in May as PTA Teacher Appreciation Week, a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children. PTA events at the national, state, and local levels celebrate the outstanding contributions teachers make. 

Looking for some innovative ideas on how to recognize teachers? Check out the Activity Ideas on the PTA website for suggestions for public tributes,  expressions of gratitude, school spirit activities, community support efforts, and MORE!

Celebrate Children's Book Week!

Children's Book Week Is the National Celebration of Books and Reading for Youth.

Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated countrywide with author & illustrator appearances, parties, storytelling, and other book-related events in schools, libraries, bookstores, clubs -- anywhere where kids and books connect.

Children's Book Week Highlights

Children's Book Week is a truly national celebration, with events happening from coast to coast throughout the week.

• Check out the line-up of official book week events! Over 25 cities are hosting author and illustrator events during Book Week (May 2-8, 2011).
  
• Each year, the Children's Book Council enlists illustrators to design a commemorative Children's Book Week Poster and Bookmark. Download the 2011 Book Week bookmark by Jeff Kinney and order your 2011 Poster by Peter Brown!
  
• Children's Choice Book Awards Gala. In 2008, the Children's Book Council created the Children's Choice Book Awards, the only national child-chosen book awards program, giving young readers a powerful voice in their own reading choices. Each year, the award winners are announced live at the highly-anticipated Children's Choice Book Awards Gala during Book Week (May 2, 2011)!

Attention Citizen Writer Challenge Participants!

Reading Rockets and AdLit.org Must Receive All Citizen Writer Entries by April 30

Winners in all grade levels will be announced by May 16, 2011.

 

Prize winners will have their work published on Reading Rockets and AdLit.org and will receive a gift basket of age-appropriate books and a personalized certificate. Prizes will be distributed by May 24, 2011. Click here to review the official contest rules. 

 

While visiting Reading Rockets, be sure to check out their informative blogs: "Sound It Out" by Joanne Meier and "Page by Page" by Maria Salvadore. 

Join Macy's Thank-a-Mom Movement to Support RIF!

Say "Thanks" to the Moms in Your Life and Macy's  Will Donate $5 to RIF or Another Charity You Choose

Macy’s has started the Thank-A-Mom Movement as a way to say thank you to moms and give back to special “mom-approved” charities---including RIF---this Mother’s Day! 

Now through May 10, visit Macy's Facebook page to send a free, personalized message to all the special moms you know, and Macy’s will donate $5 in each mom’s honor up to a total of $400,000 when you select RIF. Since 2006, Macy’s has raised $16 million for RIF to fund multicultural book collections, volunteer engagement opportunities, and recognition of RIF's Volunteer of the Year Award winners.

In addition to RIF, you can specify that Macy's contribute its donation to the American Heart Association, Futures Without Violence, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the National Park Foundation. 

Rich Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Librarians Provided on the RIF Website

Be sure to check out "Getting the Most Out of Picture Books," the Interactive Poetry Game, and "Giving Children Access to Print Materials Improves Reading Performance" on RIF's website!

The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance Salutes The New York Times!

Hurrah for . . . . 

  

In a time when many newspapers and media outlets have reduced or stopped their coverage of young people's books and the literacy/literature world The New York Times is increasing its coverage! 

There are a number of periodicals that service professionals in the world of children's literature, but only few media outlets can directly reach parents, guardians, family members, and the general public like The New York Times can, spreading the good news about great books for children and teens.  Because of reduced advertising revenues, many newspapers have very limited coverage of the young people's publishing world, so The New York Times extending that coverage is, in fact, an act of generous public service!

We want kids to be lifelong readers. Creating life long readers means that all kids need to know how to read, and need to have ready access to great books, both entertaining and informative, that will excite them about reading and inspire them to read more. Many parents have no idea what books to buy for their kids, and unlike children's books professionals, have no idea where to find that information.  If all our newspapers, local and national, would follow The New York Times example and feature more articles about great new books for kids, many more parents would be informed borrowers and buyers of books in libraries and book stores. And when parents are more informed about entertaining books and interesting information books, our kids reading experiences will be greatly enriched, and their education skills greatly enhanced.

The NCBLA applauds The New York Times  for its continuing coverage of young people's books, highlighting new books, new authors, new illustrators. Thank you New York Times editors and  York Times Book Review editors! And thank you NYT Children's Book Editor Pamela Paul!!!!

FYI links:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/index.html

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/childrens_books/index.html?ref=books

http://www.pamelapaul.com/